Repetition Grows Hope:
Introduction to how hope is a literal part of the brain...we can literally grow hope; or hope grows as the neural-connective tissue grows between the frontal lobes (Your Self) and the limbic system (Your Security Guard). Hope can be seen as the physical manifestation of the healthy relationship between your conscious self and you non-conscious self.
11 Steps to better sleep management for better emotional health.
How physical activity contribute to better emotional health.
Review and Repeat to Grow Hope (Step 4 – Week 4)
The final step is to notice if your previous three steps worked, adjust anything that could work better, repeat the three steps many times each day, and engage in activities that promote further brain growth. Every time you repeat the steps in your FEAR-less Emotion Management, you literally increase the size of a part of your brain called the Anterior Cingulate Cortex. I call this structure the Hope Muscle. Much like a muscle in your body that is exercised, the Hope Muscle literally grows when it is used and your ability to have hope increases. When you do any of the first three steps in your FEAR-less Emotion Management, you cause a neural firing in your Hope Muscle and this causes it to grow. Your ability to have hope is directly related to the size of your Hope Muscle. The larger it becomes, the greater your ability is to experience hope and for YOU to choose your responses to life events. When the Hope Muscle is small your Security Guard chooses your responses for you. You can frequently repeat your FEAR-less Emotion Management and gradually grow your Hope Muscle – be patient, it can take a while and please know that it is working. In addition, like when trying to grow muscles in the body, optimal brain growth is enhanced when engaging Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLCs). Choose one TLCs that you can work on for the next week to further enhance the effects of your FEAR-less Emotion Management.
Write your own plan to Review and Repeat to Grow Hope for the next week:
“If I have assured my Security Guard and I am feeling a decrease in stress, anxiety, or depression, then I will know my plan is working and remind myself
‘Today I will ______________________________________________________________________________________________________.’”
(Insert one of the TLCs* like; "spend time in nature")
Slowly and deliberately repeat this plan to yourself several times each morning for the next week.
*Research supports the following TLCs as helpful in the promotion of brain grown and the decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms: exercise; nutrition and diet; time in nature; relationships; recreation; relaxation and stress management; religious and spiritual involvement; and contribution and service to others (google: Life Style and Mental Health Roger Walsh for more information).