Your Brain Isn’t Made For Thinking

Your Brain Isn’t Made For Thinking

Chiropractic Austin TX Your Brain Isn’t Made For Thinking

Excerpts from: Lisa Feldman Barrett, New York Times, November 24, 2020

Neuroscientists believe that the most important function of the brain is not thinking. Its most important function is running all the glands, organs and cells to keep you alive and healthy. Most of this processing is unconscious. Your brain is constantly assessing your needs and anticipating what will need to happen next. When you wake up in the morning, your brain anticipates the energy you will need to get out of bed and start your day. It floods your body with cortisol, which helps make glucose available for quick energy.

Your brain budgets resources so that it can meet your needs before they arise. What is surprising is that your own perceptions are rarely a guide to your brain’s inner workings. Every thought, feeling or experience you have, every kindness you extend, every insult you bear is part of your brain’s calculations as it anticipates and budgets your metabolic needs.

We often think of ourselves in mental terms, separate from the physical. When it comes to budgeting our energy, the distinction between mental and physical is not meaningful. There is no such thing as a purely mental cause. Every mental experience has roots in the physical budgeting of your body. This is one reason physical actions like taking a deep breath, or getting more sleep, can be helpful in addressing problems traditionally viewed as psychological.

We are living in an extremely difficult time, and everyone is stressed. If you are worn out from the pandemic and are battling a lack of motivation, look at your situation from a body-budgeting perspective. Your burden may be lighter if you understand your discomfort as something physical.

When you feel a loss of energy or an unpleasant thought pops into your head, check in with yourself. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough water? Are you eating healthy foods? Are you exercising? Are you connecting with family and friends? Are you getting adjusted regularly? As Hippocrates said, “Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.”

These deficiencies all add to your brain/body budget and result in more energy and increase your resilience in challenging times. So, when you feel a lack of energy or motivation, check in with your body first. Call us today at (512) 346-3536 or request an appointment Here.

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Chiropractic Arts Center of Austin, P.C.

4131 Spicewood Springs Road #L-3
Austin, TX 78759

P: (512) 346-3536

F: (512) 346-5036