Stressed? Your brain needs this to learn faster… #neuroscience #memory

When we're in the stress response, our attention gets very narrow and focused on the only thing that the brain wants to solve, that thing that we're worried about, that we're anxious about. So the relaxation response is the physiologic opposite of the stress response. In this state, we are open to new ideas, we learn better, we are more flexible, our memory is more available, and our attention becomes more receptive to things. And the method is beautifully simple. The first step is to choose a focus word. It could be a word like calm or peace or love, whatever whatever feels good for you. And now step 2 is to silently repeat that word to yourself, and when you notice your mind wandering— and I say when because it will— just gently bring it back to that word or phrase. Just say, "Oh well," so nonchalantly noticing your mind has wandered and gently bringing it back to the word or phrase. This attitude of nonchalance is the key to the relaxation response because it keeps you from being stressed out about your mind wandering.