“If we do math all day we get good at math. If we worry all day we get good at worrying. ”
Day 4 Morning Scorecard and Worrying Self-Reflection:
If You Have Enjoyed the Challenge So Far:
Please Consider Donating So Others Can Enjoy It As Well
Your Brain’s Survival Programs
The brain runs on algorithms (rules of thumb) all day long. It's not a perfect system by any means but it gets us through most interactions and obstacles pretty smoothly. However, at every step in this daily process, something can go wrong. Listed below are the four steps our brains take in completing every task throughout our day.
Step 1: Feel internal body sensation (i.e. Body feels hungry)
Step 2: Locate a map of where to go to resolve body sensation (i.e. Refrigerator is where food is)
Step 3: Find Motivation to follow the map to resolve body sensation (i.e. Move from the couch towards fridge)
Step 4: Adapt to opportunities and dangers along the route to resolving body sensation (i.e. Avoid barking dog that tries to distract you on the voyage towards delicious treat)
It seems like such a simple process to follow, but so often we get stuck at roadblocks along the way. Listed below are the multiple ways you can make mistakes at each step in this process.
Step 1 mistakes:
Misreading our internal sensations (i.e. Labeling a sensation as anger when it’s really sadness that is our primary concern)
Completing ignoring the sensation (i.e. Using distractions such as alcohol or smartphones to ignore what our body is trying to tell us)
Step 2 mistakes:
Reading the wrong maps of where to go (i.e. Our internal maps direct us towards the bar to cope with our problems, instead of a friend’s house)
Never taught the right maps to follow (i.e. Our family didn’t give us the tools to succeed)
Step 3 mistakes:
Don’t take care of self, so can’t find the motivation to move (i.e. Lack of sleep, crappy eating habits)
Step 4 mistakes:
Mistakenly label stimuli as a danger when it really is an opportunity (i.e. Run away from success at the first sign of danger)
Journaling: It’s cheaper than therapy
Stress will hit us every day at some point or another, it’s just a fact of life. That stress then needs to released and journaling is one of the best ways to do that. If your emotional brain comes in contact with a small stressor, your brain will continue barking until you do something about it. Journaling could be that “something.” Otherwise, the voice in your emotional brain will just get louder and louder until you address the problem. The brain doesn’t care so much about the problem getting solved, it cares more that the problem is being addressed. Writing your thoughts down on paper. therefore, lets the emotional brain blow off some steam.
FACT: Zebras don’t get stress ulcers
TAKEAWAY: When a lion chases a zebra it is of course stressed, but the act of trying to escape from the lion allows the zebra to "release" its stress through action. Therefore, stress ulcers can never form because the stress doesn't build up.
“Within you is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat anytime”