Why is the brain a starting point for health and change?
Our brain is the key to mental and physical health. This is because the brain orchestrates our bodily functions, it is the thinking and feeling center of our body, and it is through the brain that we make decisions. Choices, in turn, determine the quality of our life experiences, our routines, and therefore our way of life, which affects our mental and physical health. Among other things, the brain often unconsciously decides what we eat and when, whether and for how long we exercise, how we react to stress and what information about a healthy lifestyle we seek and absorb in the first place. In order to function well, the brain needs a lot of biochemical energy, which must be guaranteed by a good supply of nutrients. If this is not the case, various neurological and, as a consequence, physical problems can result. That’s why the brain is a starting point for health! And we would do well to use our brain in the best possible way for our goals and to maintain and optimize it. In this way, we become smart brain owners and users.
What is a smart brain user?
A smart brain user does not necessarily have to know how the brain is structured in its individual parts, he does not have to be an expert in neurology or neuroanatomy. Let's compare it with a car:
This analogy describes very well the smart use of our brain: We should know its functions, the “buttons” and “shifters” that we can operate and what effects each operation has. We should know what “control lights” are available to us, what cues our brain gives us and how we should react to them. A smart brain user is someone who knows how to use and care for their brain in the best possible way.
Why do we essentially turn stupid under stress?
Our brain has a built-in protective mechanism that kicks in as soon as our system is under too much stress:
The prefrontal cortex essentially switches off and lets our fight-flight-freeze system take control.
The sympathetic nervous system puts the body on alert by increasing blood pressure, increasing metabolism and using carbohydrates to fuel the brain and muscles as quickly as possible.
Adrenaline and norepinephrine are released.
Starting from the amygdala, a messenger substance is first released by the hypothalamus, which causes the pituitary gland to release another neurotransmitter, which reaches the adrenal gland via the bloodstream.
In addition, the adrenal gland also releases the stress hormone cortisol.
Da das frontoparietale Netzwerk entscheidend für unsere Fähigkeit ist, unser Verhalten zielorientiert zu koordinieren, steht bei der „Abschaltung“ des Netzwerkes bzw. der Priorisierung des Alarmsystems genau diese Fähigkeit nicht zur Verfügung. Wir können also keine auf sorgfältiger Überlegung basierenden Entscheidungen treffen, unsere Logik ist sozusagen auf Eis gelegt solange der Überlebensmodus greift.
Dieser Mechanismus ist sehr nützlich und lebenswichtig, wenn wir einer echten Bedrohung gegenüberstehen, die wir bekämpfen müssen, vor der wir flüchten, oder uns zumindest tot stellen können. Bei Stressoren jedoch, die unser heutiger Alltag so oft für uns bereit hält – Meetingmarathons, ständige Erreichbarkeit, Konflikte und Arbeit ohne gehirngerechte Pausen – wird dieser Mechansimus ständig aktiviert und wir werden entscheidungsunfähig und reagieren nur noch anstatt in eine überlegte Reaktion zu gehen. Wir werden quasi dumm unter Dauerstress.
What can we do against inefficient brain use during stress or in everyday life?
The brain and body hacks presented on this website help us to avoid constant stress and to organize our fast-paced everyday lives in a way that is brain-friendly, as well as to react prudently in demanding situations. The hacks are based on scientifically proven techniques that help us initiate lasting change and develop healthy routines. The following things can change our behavior in the long term: a revelation or a drastic experience, a change in the environment including the people we surround ourselves with, and small steps that become habits and routines. With this knowledge of brain-friendly living, we can work consciously and thus increase our productivity, improve our well-being and our health and achieve our big goals step by step and hack by hack.
How to use brainbody hacks when we are short on time or traveling?
The Brainbodyhacks are designed so that they can be flexibly used even on stressful days and almost anywhere.
The following travel report from my train ride to Berlin is a nice example: Brainbodyhacks To Go