Amygdala
This brain part starts fear fast.
What is the amygdala?
This brain area helps you think and plan.
What is the cortex?
A fast heartbeat and shaky hands are signs of this system turning on.
What is the sympathetic nervous system (stress response)?
The things that set off your anxiety are called ___.
What are triggers?
Slowing this can calm your body quickly.
What is your breathing?
The amygdala helps you survive by starting this response.
What is fight, flight, or freeze?
When you believe “my thoughts are facts,” that’s called this.
What is cognitive fusion?
The “rest and digest” system that calms you down.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
Facing fears on purpose in small steps is called ___.
What is exposure?
Tensing and relaxing your muscles helps reduce this.
What is muscle tension?
The amygdala learns by making these simple “this = danger” links.
What are associations?
Changing unhelpful thoughts to helpful ones is called this.
What is cognitive restructuring (using coping thoughts)?
This kind of exercise (like brisk walking) can lower anxiety for hours.
What is aerobic exercise?
This happens in your brain when repeated exposure teaches safety.
What is rewiring (new learning)?
“Don’t erase — ___” is a helpful rule for changing thoughts.
What is replace?
True/False: The amygdala can react before you think it through.
What is true ?
A quick defusion phrase: “I’m having the ___ that…”
What is thought?
This stage of sleep helps calm your emotions and the amygdala.
What is REM sleep?
During exposure, it’s important to feel a little ___ for the brain to learn.
What is anxiety?
Focusing on the present moment without judgment is called ___.
What is mindfulness?
One way to teach the amygdala “I’m safe now.”
What is practice facing the fear (gentle exposure)?
Worry tries to solve future problems. A better option is to make a short ___.
What is plan?
Two hormones released in the fight-or-flight response.
What are adrenaline and cortisol?
A helpful question: “What goal is my anxiety stopping me from reaching?
What is identifying barriers to my life goals?
Writing or repeating phrases like “I can handle this” are called ___.
What are coping thoughts?