Do you know what the "Limbic System" is?

So today I'd first like to say . . . I missed writing to you all. And I hope you're all well!

Okay, so let's get down to business. I tried hard not to watch the news this week . . . but it just seemed to be everywhere.

So in light of current events . . . there's a system in the brain called the "Limbic" system and it's a set of structures that deal with emotions, memory, learning and arousal (or stimulation). It regulates autonomic function (that's the involuntary or unconscious act of the nervous system) or endocrine function (this is relating to glands which secrete hormones or other products directly into the blood) in response to emotional stimuli and also is involved in reinforcing behavior.

This system is so very important because it "controls" certain behaviors such as being happy, sad, afraid/surprised, and "angry/disgusted.

Over time, chronic stress can activate the "limbic system" in a way that damages parts of the body. Now . . . these emotions from the "limbic system" are narrowed down to five basic feelings that are each associated with a corresponding element and organ in the body.

Sadness/grief- are associated with the "lungs"

Anger - is associated with the "liver"

Joy - is with the "heart"

Worry - is with the "spleen"

Fear - is with the "kidneys"

So as an example in today's situation . . . If someone is experiencing and expressing "anger" . . . he or she is putting stress on the "liver" and not using the "thinking" part of the brain which is the "cortex", but rather the emotional part which is the "limbic" center of the brain.

In other words . . . that person is running strictly off emotion from the "limbic" center and is not using the thinking "logical" part of the brain. You see . . . the "cerebral cortex" of the brain is responsible for higher thought processes which is associated with "logical" and "analytical" thinking.

So is there a way to make sure we use the logical part of the brain in any given situation?

Well . . . in neuroscience terms, cognitive-behavioral therapy "retrains" the "cortex" part of the brain to take "control" over the "irrational" emotions of the "limbic system". This in turn, will allow that person to process that experience differently and more logically.

Some ways to help retrain the "cortex" part of the brain are:

Exercise your brain like with puzzles, playing cards, build your vocabulary or learn a new skill

Put down the smartphone because this is not only serving as subliminal messaging, but we use our limbic system which is all emotion. Too much time on the Smartphone lessens our ability to use our "cortex" part of the brain.

Eat brain supportive foods like omega 3s, blueberries, turmeric broccoli, almond and walnuts

Meditate

Get more sleep - adults need at least 8 hours

So let's retrain our brains to be more logical in this crazy world we live in.

As always, feel free to contact me here