We all have our times when we know what we need to be doing but just talk ourselves out of it. I am calling my primal brain out this week! Such a scam! I was constantly wanting to coast and be lazy.
My brain tends to find all the evidence of why I should just have another cup of coffee or tea and relax. I have all day to do the project, why now? Or, I have been so good all week on walking why don’t we skip today? I now know when it’s a scam. I just try to tell her to zip it up and just go. Most of the time it works…but then there are days that I simply give in to my primal brain.
The primal brain, the reptilian brain sometimes called the basal ganglia, is the oldest part of our brain, and responsible for our survival instincts and basic functions like breathing and heart rate. While this ancient part of our brain served us well in the wild and living in a cave, helping our ancestors survive dangerous predators and find food, it can sometimes lead us astray in our lives today. One of the ways our primal brain affects our decisions is through the fight-or-flight response. When faced with a perceived threat, whether real or imagined, our primal brain kicks into high gear, flooding our bodies with adrenaline and cortisol. This can cloud our judgment and lead us to make decisions based on fear rather than logic. Don’t get me wrong, this is good but how many times is it fear? Yes, there can be times when we are faced with scary things. For example, imagine you're considering a career change later in life. Your logical brain may see the potential benefits of a new challenge and increased fulfillment. However, your primal brain, fearful of the unknown and potential failure, may urge you to stick with the familiar, even if it's no longer serving you.
Another way our primal brain impacts our decisions is through the pleasure-seeking centers. The primal brain is wired to seek out pleasure and avoid pain, a trait that helped our ancestors survive in harsh environments. In modern times, this can lead to unhealthy behaviors like overeating, overspending, or staying in toxic relationships because they provide temporary pleasure or comfort. In fact, we were taught to use food to feel better-have some ice cream, it will make your skinned-up knee feel better.
So, what can we do about our primal brain's influence on our decisions? Awareness is the first step. By recognizing when our primal brain drives our choices, we can take a step back and evaluate the situation more rationally. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling, can help us tune into our thoughts and emotions, making it easier to distinguish between the primal brain's impulses and our true desires.
Another strategy is to engage our prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for complex decision-making and rational thought. This can be done through activities that stimulate the prefrontal cortex, such as learning a new skill, solving puzzles, or engaging in deep conversations. By exercising this part of our brain, we can strengthen its influence over our primal urges.
In conclusion, while our primal brain may influence our decisions, it doesn't have to control them. By simply realizing what is happening, engaging our prefrontal cortex, and seeking support from others, we can make choices that lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. If we have things in our lives that we know we want to engage in but seem to always tend to find an excuse, for instance, going for a daily walk, find a buddy. It helps us from dumping the idea when someone else is ready to go. Also, practice placing your adult brain in charge and calling out that scam with your "toddler" brain!
We go walking almost every night after dinner. Look at this view on the street of the sky. So beautiful!
Have a beautiful day!
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