3 Strategies To Soothe Your Brain And Glide Through Change
Your animal brain does more to influence you than you think
Why is change scary at first?
Can we manage change by managing our brain?
What can we do to achieve a higher level of thinking?
Close your eyes and think about any big or small change you went through. Chances are, you felt terrible at the beginning of the change and then learned to survive through it.
I went through a high-risk pregnancy and I learned to manage change in a way I had never done before.
Would it help if I told you there was another way to manage change?
And this way is better because it will allow you to adapt quickly, maintain focus, and remain calm through the change.
All it requires is for you to understand your brain better. How you ask? Let’s dive in…
Structure Of The Brain
Your brain doesn’t operate like a unit. The three main parts of the human brain stimulate us differently and perform different functions.
The three parts of our brain, as per research, are:
- The Brain Stem; also called the Reptile or the Lizard Brain. This is the small part in the middle that connects directly to the spinal cord. This is the part of the brain that helps us avoid harm.
- The Limbic System; also called the Mouse Brain. This is the part in the middle. This is the part of the brain that helps us feel nourished when we eat, breathe, or even earn money.
- The Cortex; also called the Monkey Brain. This is the outermost part of the brain and the one farthest from the spinal cord. This is the part responsible for thinking and happiness.
Our mind is like a jungle. You cannot get rid of the beasts, but you can calm them down. ~Dr. Rick Hanson
Still wondering why we have a lizard, a mouse, and a monkey inside our brain?
My Story
The biggest challenge of my life came in the middle of a smooth pregnancy. One day at a scan midway through my pregnancy, I learned about a major complication that put the future of my child at risk.
When giving up is not an option, all you can do is give your best and have faith.
I had a choice. Either give in to the daily dose of fear injected when the doctors gave me bad news every day for 4 months or imagine the best outcome possible every single day.
I monitored closely what I fed myself — food and information both. I was brave in the moment and focused on the bigger picture and supporting my husband.
Faith works wonders — it did for my daughter and our family. Remember that when going through a tough situation.
How To Tame The Lizard Brain
Our lizard brain is overactive whenever we feel stressed or anxious. This is the one that helps us stay alive, but keeps us focused on safety.
It keeps you awake at night when you have a big presentation in the office the following day, or if you feel jittery before the wedding day, or suffer from impostor syndrome.
As I was writing this article, I received a call that every parent dreads. My daughter goes to a daycare. The daycare staff wanted to let me know my daughter had had an accident while playing on the ground. Immediately, the lizard hijacked my mind. OMG, was she okay? Did she need me?
The best way to manage the lizard is to recognize your state and practice deep breathing.
Once I could gather my wits after a few deep breaths, I enquired further.
Turns out, it was a minor accident, and she was okay. Then I calmed myself down and reminded myself that she was okay and I will get to her as soon as I can.
It’s really important to assure yourself that everything is okay multiple times, as the lizard can go into an overdrive even when there is nothing to fear.
How To Tame The Mouse Brain
The mouse brain affects us when we feel unappreciated and undernourished.
This part makes us crave recognition, food, and nature.
Turns out I had a serious craving for cheesecake when pregnant. I didn’t act on it for a few days. But not acting on the craving made me think about it day and night.
The most effective way to silence the mouse is to feed it some cheese. ;)
Being grateful for your gifts makes the mouse happy. Nourishing your body by exercising, eating, and breathing puts the mouse to sleep.
Celebrate little wins. We must rely not only on external means of appreciation but also appreciate ourselves daily.
How To Tame The Monkey Brain
This part of the brain handles higher-order thinking. Unfortunately, it is affected when the lizard and mouse are unhappy.
This part makes us crave belonging and social interaction.
Most of us felt the need to soothe the monkey when we craved in-person interactions during the pandemic.
At the first opportunity, we were ready to hug neighbors we never spoke to, or even distant family we never met otherwise.
The pandemic led me to plan many city hikes with friends, something that wasn’t a priority pre-pandemic, as we mostly planned international travel. These excursions proved therapeutic. To spend time in nature with the company of people you enjoy is all you need.
The best way to manage the monkey is to spend time with loved ones.
Practicing self-care and spending time with pets also rejuvenates the monkey.
Conclusion
To thrive during periods of change, learn to embrace the primal parts of your brain — the lizard, the mouse, and the monkey.
While it may seem counterintuitive to “let loose” these wild impulses, it’s only by making them feel safe and cared for that we can tap into our full creative potential.
Try these 3 strategies if you are undergoing some kind of change.
- Give your lizard brain a reassuring pat.
- Offer your mouse brain a little nourishment.
- Wrap your arms around your monkey brain in a warm embrace.
Trust me — for navigating change, these furry (or scaly) friends are the ultimate allies.
