Prefrontal Cortex Activator Strategies
The amygdala is responsible for_____________.
Fight or flight, keeping us safe, alerting us to danger.
AWESOME!
What is one coping strategy that you've learned in this class to manage anxiety?
Size of the Problem, Cognitive Triangle, Breathing, Hydrate with water, Automatic Thoughts, Talking about worries.
It takes approximately ____ days or exposures to a new coping skill to make it a habit.
21
What does Name it, Claim it, Tame it mean?
NAME how you are feeling, CLAIM why you are feeling that way, TAME it by talking about it. Ex: I am worried about ice skating because I don't know how to skate. Can I have some help with this?
Name two things that the prefrontal cortex does.
Decision making, organization, thinking, planning, etc.
What two neurotransmitters does expressing gratitude emit?
Dopamine and Seratonin
Name one thing that causes your amygdala to react, also known as an amygdala trigger (all teammates answer).
AWESOME
Can you replace an unhealthy habit with a healthy habit? How?
Yes, but recognizing the unhealthy habit and intentionally using a different response over and over again.
How do you use the Size of the Problem strategy?
You rate the size of the problem, not the size of your feelings, and think rationally about if it is a big problem or if your amygdala is making a big deal about it.
What part of the brain is responsible for memory?
Hippocampus
How often should you think of things you are grateful for?
Daily
Exercise, drinking water, journaling, gratitude practice, etc.
What is a habit and how is it formed?
We form habits through neural connections, and with repeated responses to experiences.
What are automatic thoughts and how do we manage them?
We should name the automatic thought, and ask if it is a rational thought.
What happens to the prefrontal cortex when your amygdala is activated?
What benefits have scientists found that gratitude practice has on humans?
Better sleep, improved memory, better health, more successful, lower anxiety, lower depression
What are some physical symptoms of anxiety?
Stomach ache, sweating, pulling hair, fidgeting, etc.
What is a neural pathway?
When neurons connect due to experiences or learning, and they strengthen to form a pathway after repeating those experiences or learning.
Name three things you can do to activate your prefrontal cortex if you are stressed or your amygdala is hijacked.
Take a break, talk to a trusted friend or adult, write down your worry, deep breathing, use Size of the Problem, listen to music.
The amygdala is part of the _________system.
Limbic
Name one thing that you learned in school that you are grateful for (all teammates answer)
AWESOME
Is anxiety a normal emotion?
YES...all human beings experience some level of anxiety.
Approximately how many neurons are in the brain?
Approx 100 Billion