TU01: Brain Science & Communication

IN THIS EPISODE:

• This episode is the first of a series of foundational pieces we will provide on relational science and building secure relationships.
• Thank you for checking out the show!!
• It has a longer than usual monologue at the beginning but then rolls into the normal 3-way conversation. Hey we are just figuring this stuff out. 🙂
• Main concept – no matter what your history everyone has the capacity to grow secure relationships and improve their sense of security in themselves
• There are three specific structures that affect our sense of well-being
• The prefrontal cortex – functions described in detail
• The hippocampus
• The amygdala

Suggestion: Two-sided walk if your amygdala is activated.

• Walk as far as you want and feel angry and self-righteous. When you get ready and turn around, though, you have to spend the walk back considering the opposing perspective. This engages the PFC.
• Brain plasticity – this is awesome news!
• Our brain structure is formed by patterns in behavior, but those patterns can be changed.
• Knowing that your threat system is activated and seeing our own warning signs allows us to work against responding automatically. It gives us choice, responsiveness.
• Practicing can physically alter the structure of our brain in a way that permanently helps us.
• Stay tunes for more episodes on attachment and how to build secure relationships

Additional resources for this episode:

• John Gottman
• The Seven Principals to Making a Marriage Work… this is one of the basic foundational works from a researcher who is scientifically explaining misery and happiness. for everyone.
• How to Make Love Last – Gottman. A more recent work by this research team.
• This is another Gottman work, but this time on parenting. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child… for parents.
• These and other resources have been collected for you on our Resources page!