Becoming Friends with Amy, Your Amygdala!

The word "pandemic" is enough to activate us into survival mode as we seek to protect ourselves, loved ones and communities from the threat of illness and death. Taking appropriate action in response to a threat is essential for survival. Our fear center however sits in a part of our brain where there is an absence of logic and reason. To remain in this heightened state of alarm after we've taken appropriate action is no longer beneficial to our well-being. We are activating a host of hormones intended to help us survive immediate threat to our safety. We therefore need to deactivate this part of our brain so that we have greater emotional peace.

How do we do this? (In addition to daily exercise to burn off stress hormones) We can befriend our amygdala. What does that mean?! Our amygdala, which are about the size of an almond, sounds the alarm that there is danger. https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-amygdala A lot of us can beat ourselves up for being "too upset" and demand ourselves to "calm down". This doesn't work because you simply cannot berate yourself into a state of emotional well-being. So, how about the next time you feel a surge of heightened fear you thank your amygdala (I've named mine Amy) for looking out for you and then assure them that you've done all that you can to be safe. Let Amy know that you've got this, and they don't need to stay on alert. Also, start noticing when Amy goes into overdrive. If it's after you've read too many articles about the Coronavirus you stop reading so many articles. If Amy goes ballistic after you've played out major catastrophes in your mind, then you stop doing that as well.

Work with Amy while letting her know that you've got this and that you're in control of the situation.