First, some context. I don’t know you personally (besides friends and family who read my articles), but we have quite a bit in common. If you have been reading my articles for a while, you know I am passionate about the human brain and its science, neuroscience. And that’s how ‘I know’ you. Though we are all unique, our brains work ‘similarly’ within a normal distribution.  

And the analogy I would use is the mobile phone. Our brain is the operating system (android or iOS), and our uniqueness comes from how we think, feel, know, and act (apps).

There are myths and facts about our brains that everyone should know. Because knowledge of these myths and facts can enable us to tweak your operating system so that our ‘apps’ can run more efficiently.

I use this in my work with clients. It induces aha moments for my clients and I hope it does for you too. If you have seen this before in my LinkedIn posts, it’s a valuable recap!

First, let’s debunk some key myths about your brain:

1.      Stress and cortisol are bad

Stress (eustress) is good. It motivates us and gets us going in the morning (or not). Cortisol, a stress hormone is a natural anti-inflammatory! But at the right levels.

2.      Emotions make us well, emotional

They don’t. Emotions are the energy that moves us. Not acknowledging, being present with, or suppressing our emotions can stress us and those around us!

 Being emotional is the level of intensity we feel of an emotion.

 3.      We can multitask

The brain DOES NOT multitask. It task switches. This is tiring for the brain. Like talking while driving let alone texting and driving!

 4.      We only feel physical pain

Social pain is felt in the brain in the same way as physical pain. The ‘pain’ from your performance review or receiving negative feedback can feel the same as a cut on your hand!

 5.      The brain works in ‘real’ mode

The brain cannot tell the difference between imagination and reality. Imagining playing your guitar is the same as (actually) playing your guitar.

 6.      We can’t change

We can. We can change what we (our brain), give attention to. Neuroplasticity. Creating new neural pathways is what the brain does. But it takes practice.

Now for the key facts about

1.      We think a LOT

We think an average of 6000 thoughts per day. They are mainly the SAME thoughts and research shows they are mainly NEGATIVE.

2.      Most of our daily fears are INTERNAL

This surprises many. Most of our fears are not external. They are internal fears and sometimes they are MADE UP fears.

3.      Attention is our SUPERPOWER

We have the power to interrupt brain activity with attention! However, most times we have NO IDEA where our attention is or the forces that degrade our attention.

4.      AUTOMATIC attention

Inherited from our forefathers. To keep us safe and alive. Our brains are fundamentally wired to look for threats. Present-day threats (not the sabre-toothed tiger).

5.      VOLUNTARY attention

We need to use MORE of this attention. BUT our internal fears, stress, and mood can hijack our attention. Regaining our attention requires us to get to the ROOT of our stressors.

6.      Our brain is CRAFTY

It can autocue stories and play them without our permission. Regaining our attention requires us to focus on THAT which is consuming our attention in the first place. NOT ignoring it, suppressing it, or hoping it will go away on its own. This takes effort. Yes, more attention.

All roads to our future seem to hinge on one thing – ATTENTION. A good place to start is by checking in on yourself throughout your day.

We have more control than we realise. Change happens when we focus our attention on where we want it to be.

As always, you can reach me at yoga@yoganesadurai.com