Tag Archive for brain

Why Stress Is Terrible For Problem Solving

July 31, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

You know that stress can be bad for your health. And it can make a big problem even bigger

Start downsizing that problem with a GenuLines look at how this happens.

Why Stress Is Terrible For Problem-Solving

Got a challenging problem that’s stressing you out? Is it preventing you from working to the best of your abilities?

Man feeling stress

 

Then take a lie down!

Lying down on the job might sound like the worst thing you could do when you have a problem. But it’s one of the very best options of all.

Let’s take a look at why…

 

 

Neurochemistry And Problem-Solving

Your brain reaches a different state when necessary. And it uses different neurochemistry to get there.

When we’re stressed, our body assumes that we are in immediate danger. It responds by putting us in the ‘fight or flight’ mode.

This means you’re flooded with norepinephrine, dopamine, and cortisol – stress hormones.

They have many effects on the body. From contracting our muscles to clotting our blood (helps us survive injury). to taking blood and energy away from digestion and immune functions.

And these give you intense focus.

You get ‘tunnel vision’ so that you can escape from the threat you’re facing. This is very useful if you need to keep your eye on the terrain while a leopard chases you.

But it’s not very helpful when facing the kinds of problems you encounter in the office.

Creativity and Problem-Solving

To be specific you have to be able to think outside the box and to make connections between disparate ideas. That’s why you’re actually at your most creative in a relaxed state – even when you’re close to sleep.

The hypnagogic brain produces many creative works and scientific breakthroughs. And, by definition, this happens right before dozing off..

In fact, studies show that sitting in a more supine position increases creative thinking.

Likewise, the color green alone is enough to help us increase creativity. That’s because we associate it with being in natural environments.

Even alcohol can help increase creativity in some circumstances. It’s a depressant that puts us in a subdued state (though GenuLines is not recommending that you do this.)

Next time you’re faced with a difficult problem, remember this. Your stress will only make it tougher to find the answer.

So relax, take a breather, and come back to it when you feel calmer!

JohnK 7-31-2023

chiforyourself.com

 

stick figure hears about stressOverheard: “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”

– Hans Selye

 

 

disclaimer for stress

 

How Your Thoughts Influence Your Behavior

December 20, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Someone once said thoughts are things. Whatever they are thoughts thoughts play a big part in guiding your day to day activity. 

And GenuLiines wants to give you some insight into how that’s done. 

How Your Thoughts Influence Your Behavior

picture of thoughtsThere’s a universal secret to living a full life: you are what you think. Not what you were expecting, huh?
 
Many of the great minds of our time agree that thoughts are the building blocks of life experiences. They’re telling us that the quality of your thoughts reflects the quality of your life.
 
 
 
 
The problem is when you start to believe that material things can make your life better. You buy shiny, expensive things and go on trips to faraway, exotic places.
 
Some people even resort to mind-numbing substances to help them forget their reality.
The truth is that creating a better reality starts by creating change from the inside.
 
Your thoughts are the driving force behind why you feel and act the way you do. Once you understand the link between those three, you can start living the life you want in the way you want it.
 
Below, you’ll find three life-altering tips. Incorporate them into your day.
They’ll help you change negative thought patterns to positive ones. Let’s dive in

Recognize Faulty Thought Patterns

Most of our beliefs and thoughts tend to be more on the negative side. These faulty thought patterns can lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
 
The author Earl Nightingale said, “We become what we think.” So, why are you letting your negative thoughts dictate how you live your life?
 
Below are some of the more common negative patterns of thought many of us suffer from. Get a pen and paper and write down which of them you most relate to.
 
Once you’ve identified them, you can start to transform them from the negative to the positive.
 
Minimizing achievements and maximizing simple errors
*Catastrophizing future outcomes All-or-nothing dichotomous thinking
*Generalizing people and situations
*Filtering out positive statements and focusing only on the negative

Foster Healthy Habits

When you do something often enough it becomes a habit. The more you do it, the more likely you’ll keep doing it in the future.
 
Thought patterns are the same way. The more you think in a certain way, the more you’ll likely keep thinking about it the same way over and over again.
 
Soon enough, it’ll start to consume your day-to-day living. The science behind it is that each thought ignites a chemical reaction in your brain.
 
This process then triggers a certain emotion.
 
As a result, your emotions send a signal to your body and then you react. This cycle repeats itself until you realize you’re not living the life you want for yourself.
 
You can’t even recognize who you are anymore.
 
Think Good Thoughts
Marcus Aurelius’ quote rings true here, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”
It’s then that you should decide to make a change.
 
Recondition yourself by recognizing negative thoughts and how they affect your emotions.
 
This thinking about your thinking is what psychologists refer to as metacognition. It’s one of the best ways to find out what’s causing your thought patterns.
 
As with most things, reconditioning your thoughts takes time. Brace yourself for a few bumps along the way but stick with it.
 
You’ll realize it’s the only way to become aware of the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Only then will you be able to regain control and live the life you deserve.

Seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for dealing with certain mental disorders. This type of therapy focuses on the idea that our thoughts, behavior, and emotions are all linked.
 
The best thing about CBT is it’s all about your present, rather than focusing on past events. After all, it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
 
Through CBT, you learn how to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT is also unique in that it assigns practical work outside each session.
 
It’s a great way to see first-hand how thoughts influence behavior. You’ll be able to start living with intention.

Check out some of the most common CBT strategies:

*Exposure: Coming face-to-face with your fears to confront and overcome stress and apprehension
*Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment through steady breathing and your five senses
*Skills training: Practicing certain skills through role-playing, modeling, and mock scenarios

The Takeaway

Now, it’s time for a little challenge. Become more conscious of your thoughts, both the good and the bad.
 
Negative thoughts hold you back from living life to the fullest. They keep you shackled in a tiring cycle of self-doubt, fear, and panic.
 
On the flip side, positive thoughts make you feel good about yourself. They lift your mood, boost your motivation, and encourage you to work hard.
 
So, work on rewiring your brain to think happy, positive thoughts. Getting started may be difficult in the beginning, but it’s worth it in the long run.
 
Your future self will thank you!
 
JohnK 12-20-2021
 
 
Stick figure hears about thoughtsOverheard: “Our thoughts make us what we are”
                             ~Dale Carnegie
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for thoughts
 

Better Thinking With Brain Power Boosting

July 14, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

 

Your brain works hard. And in tough times it works even harder.

When it bogs down you can turn to these simple GenuLines tips to power up your “gray matter.”

 

microphone for speaking about the brain

 

 

 

 

 

Better Thinking With Brain Power Boosting

Muddled thinking seems like a virus in itself. From negative news to personal challenges it can affect your well being.
 
One way to counter this mind fog is through a brainpower boost. So, here are some steps to help you keep your brain working in tip-top condition.
 

Regular Exercise

Simple exercise like a walk or jog might not be intense. But it’ll get you started.
 
You can work on the intensity as you go along.
 
Simple work-outs may trigger the release of neuro-chemicals known as endorphins. These chemicals are responsible for making us feel happy.
 
Feeling happier translates into a positive effect on the brain.
 

the brain

 

Supplement your Diet

Natural supplements can help keep both mind and body healthy. You can find supplements anywhere from health food stores to sites on the internet.
 

Use it or lose it

It’s great to exercise your body. But you should exercise your brain too.
 
It’s a muscle that needs to keep fit – think and learn. You can read, talk with other people or even play educational games.
 
Experiment with activities that can keep your brain working well.

Play Games

Choose games that will have a good effect on your brain. Stay away from games that are “no-brainers.”
 
Computer games can exercise your brain. Be sure to make good game choices.
 
Gaming consoles are also following the fad into increasing brain function. So, do your part in boosting your brain power by playing games that will increase it.

Enjoy an Educational Hobby

Choose a hobby that will teach you something. Just be sure to do things that aren’t monotonous.
 
Your hobby should be something that will help you learn new things every time you perform it. This way, you’ll be able to use parts of your brain you didn’t use before.
 

Sleep Well

Sleeping helps your body rebuild and recharge. Many professionals believe that you should sleep for at least six to eight hours a day.
 
Aside from these hours, you should also try to take ten-minute power naps. These naps will leave your refreshed.
 
And they’ll give you the energy that will fuel what you do for the rest of the day.
 
Relax
Society’s complexity will tax your brain as much as your body.
So take time to relax and cleanse your mind of worries that can overwhelm your thoughts.
 
You can visit a spa or meditate to give your mind a break.
 
When you relax you’ll feel that you’re prepared to take on whatever your day throws at you!
 
JohnK 6-14-2020
 
stick figure man hears about the brainOverheard: “The human brain, then, is the most complicated organization of matter than we know”
                                                  ~Isaac Asimov
 
 
 
 

 

Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

 

disclaimer for the brain