MINDFULNESS AND THE BRAIN

Neuroscientists are studying now how mindfulness practice helps to regulate emotions by changing the connectivity of neural pathways in the brain. Understanding the different parts of the brain and how they function under stress can be a strong motivator to engage in mindfulness practices.

A healthy, regulated brain is one where the differentiated parts of the brain with different functions communicate with one another as an integrated whole. Chronic stress negatively affects the connectivity of the brain and makes us more vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Awareness practice increases the connectivity of the different parts of the brain, leading to greater emotional resilience

Need Grounding

Mindfulness Training for Emotional Resilience

Rachael Frankford Counselling and Training

RACHAEL FRANKFORD COUNSELLING AND CONSULTINGwww.rachaelfrankford.com

The Triune Brain

Thinking Brain Problem solving, language, reasoning, explicit memory, focus, control of emotions.

“Where attention goes, energy flows, and neural connection grows.” - Dan Siegel

We can think of the brain as having three brains in one, each with different functions that developed at different times in the evolution of humans. .

Brainstem Speaks language of

sensation and impulse survival mode

Limbic System Speaks language

of emotion

Frontal Lobes Verbal language and analytical reasoning

Mammalian Brain Non-verbal, emotional and relational experience, implicit felt memory

Reptilian Brain Instinctive survival responses; fight, flight or freeze

Fisher, J. (2010). Psychoeducational aids for the treatment of psychological trauma. Maclean, P.D. (1990) The Triune Brain in Evolution.

MTER

Mindfulness Training for Emotional ResilienceModule 2www.mter.ca