WORK, STRESS, and MINDFULNESS

1. WORK,STRESS,andMINDFULNESS

2. ½ ⅓ ¼ ⅕

3. 1/∞

4. Outline Evolutionary Neurobiology How We Learn and How We Perceive The Three Brains Neocortical Processing and Hardwiring of Experience Our Bodies Under Threat The Zone of Optimal Functioning Anterior Cingulate Cortex – The Conductor of the Orchestra The Full Symphonic Orchestra: Mindfulness

5. Neuroplasticity

6. Evolution of the human brain

8. The Triune Brain Neocortex = The Story Limbic (paleo) = The Feeling Tone Reptilian = Sensorimotor Reflexive/Instinctual Response

9. Input and Outflow

10. How Experience Is Generated

11. WE ARE PATTERN SEEKERS

12. Autocorrect detects patterns and anticipates content to save time and effort, sometimes with disastrous results!

13. cnayuoraedtihs?

14. How Experience Is Generated

15. Optimism Curiosity Time Stamp Verbal Factual Pessimism Danger No Time Stamp Nonverbal Procedural

17. R AMYGDALA “Smoke detector” of the brain Danger pattern detector Initiates defensive behaviors (fight, flight, freeze, collapse, dissociation)

19. left right Amygdala

20. Right Frontal Cortex Interoception The “how” of relating to self and others – attachment style The center for self soothing (secure attachment) or self judgment (insecure attachment) Not concerned with time – it’s always NOW

21. left right Right Frontal Cortex Amygdala

22. Left Frontal Cortex Curiosity Optimism Learning new associations – “Things that fire together wire together” Able to distinguish between past and present

23. left right Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala

24. Right Parietal Cortex Spatial orientation Boundary between “self” and “not self” Personal space, safety zone

25. left right Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala Right Parietal Cortex

26. left right Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala Right Parietal Cortex

27. Anterior Cingulate Cortex Focused attention and concentration The only area of the brain that can down-regulate the amygdala Rich connection with both left and right frontal regions

29. When the R Amygdala Fires Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala Anterior Cingulate Cortex Right Parietal Cortex

30. Sympathetic Activation Freeze Highly alert, engaged, attentive, still but ready to move Fight/Flight No thinking or cognition Instinctual, reflexive

31. Parasympathetic Activation Collapse Heart rate slowed, decreased muscle tone, decreased awareness, no thinking, no movement

32. Window of Tolerance Increased sensation Emotional reactivity Hypervigilance Disorganized cognitive processing Relative absence of sensations Numbing of emotions Disabled cognitive processing Decreased movement and low muscle tone SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC (vagus) HYPERAROUSED HYPOAROUSED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOW OF TOLERANCE OPTIMAL AROUSAL ZONE

33. What do you find stressful?

35. WORRY HARDER… I don’t think it’s working yet!

36. THE INTERNAL JUDGE

37. Constantly knocks us out of the zone of optimal arousal.

38. Window of Tolerance Increased sensation Emotional reactivity Hypervigilance Disorganized cognitive processing Relative absence of sensations Numbing of emotions Disabled cognitive processing Decreased movement and low muscle tone SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC (vagus) HYPERAROUSED HYPOAROUSED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOW OF TOLERANCE OPTIMAL AROUSAL ZONE

39. How Experience Is Generated

40. Anterior Cingulate Cortex Focused attention and concentration The only area of the brain that can down-regulate the amygdala Rich connection with both left and right frontal regions

41. When the R Amygdala Fires Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala Anterior Cingulate Cortex Right Parietal Cortex

42. Right Frontal Cortex Left Frontal Cortex Amygdala Anterior Cingulate Cortex Right Parietal Cortex