When we experience high levels of fear and anxiety it can lead to significant distress and dysfunction which affects our ability to think clearly. Some refer to this as the reptilian brain or emotional brain.
Excerpt below is from Mayo Clinic July 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
When stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on.
The long-term activation of the stress response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follows can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Muscle tension and pain
- Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Memory and concentration impairment
My thoughts: The fear producing news on TV, social media and the radio will keep your brain in the fight or flight mode which doesn’t allow your brain to think logically. Basically your emotional brain is triggered and put in charge. The best way to stop the fight or flight mode or cycle is to find ways to calm down.
One of the main ways that I calm down is going outdoors. I love being near water and listening to animals and observing the little creatures. If you are unable to get outdoors or to a park, you can always listen to nature videos.
Other ways I calm down:
I do not turn on the news.
I journal.
I draw.
I listen to music.
I find funny comics.
I play a video app for about 15 minutes.
I play the piano…just learning 🙂
I redirect any negative energy by using self care methods that I teach to my clients.
Empowering Choices 