The amygdala is the brain's "alarm system" that triggers fight-or-flight responses.
When you feel a "hijack" coming on, these tools can send a "stand down" signal to the amygdala:
Recognizing that your physical symptoms (racing heart, muscle tension) are survival responses, not actual danger, helps you distance yourself from the anxiety. The amygdala is the brain's "alarm system" that
Regular exercise and adequate sleep are neurologically essential for reducing overall amygdala activation and improving focus.
Here are several key brain-based strategies to help quiet an anxious mind: Here are several key brain-based strategies to help
Lasting change comes from teaching your brain new associations:
Use "bottom-up" strategies like progressive muscle relaxation or holding something cold (like a splash of cold water on the face) to shift your nervous system out of fight-or-flight. 3. Rewiring the Brain Over Time muscle tension) are survival responses
"Taming Your Amygdala: Brain-Based Strategies to Quiet the Anxious Mind" is a workbook by Dr. Catherine Pittman that uses neuroscience and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you manage anxiety by "retraining" your brain.