Alleviating stress and fear

When we experience stress or fear, we engage a specific part of the brain called the limbic system.

The limbic system – the seat of fear.

This is an ancient part of our brain, and it plays a role in many brain processes, including memory and emotion, but its chief function is to protect us. When we feel fear, the limbic system shuts down brain functions that are not needed for immediate survival, like higher-level reasoning and tasks (doing your taxes, or planning a work or school project). With those functions “switched off,” it can be difficult to think through situations productively. We can get stuck in a fight-or-flight (or freeze) response dominated by adrenalin and short-term focus. Strategy, planning, and analysis are all but impossible. We need to alleviate stress and fear to function fully.

For some, the fight-or-flight response can be triggered by relatively minor events, or even negative thoughts. Early life trauma, long-term or high levels of stress, and exhaustion can all contribute to a permanently elevated level of vigilance and anxiety. Over time, being stuck in the fear response becomes debilitating, even destructive.

Tuning down the overactive limbic system

Our higher-level functions – our “best selves” – only truly work when the limbic system is not controlling our behavior. So how do we alleviate stress and fear? How to deal with an overactive limbic system, especially in today’s stress-prone world?

using your “whole” brain

We can calm these areas of the brain using neurofeedback and other, frequency based, interventions. Activating our sensory motor system, the part of the brain that connects us to our body, diminishes the loop of anxiety and stress that can exist in our brain, ready to be triggered. We can address this brain/body connection directly.

Also, calming exercise, and especially meditation, only helps. We have a neuromodulation plan that is used with meditation. This opens the door to make the most of neuro processes.