In past articles I have written about the importance of the PreFrontal Cortex (the most advanced part of the brain) and its many implications for our optimal health. The PreFrontal Cortex (PFC) is where we think rationally, where we’re able to weigh various aspects to a decision and it’s where we’re able to adopt more than one perspective at a time.
In Neurology circles, the PFC is often referred to as the Executive Function centre of the brain. I like to call it the CEO.
The reason why the PFC is so important is because when we have access to it, the PFC gives us the opportunity to observe ourselves, to have self-awareness. All of us tend to have a certain level of self-awareness and this level forms the basis for the quality of our relationships. This level of self-awareness also affects how easily we learn a new skill or utilize our talents. For example, it helps to be able to have an embodied experience when learning how to hit a golf ball or to downhill ski.
When we can access our PFC, we tend to have less blindspots.
When we want to learn grow, and change our habits, the PFC is a key part in that process in that it helps us observe what we’re doing and to adjust if needed. So why do we continue with bad habits?
Survival Mode
One of the reasons is that we might be in Survival Mode. When we’re in survival mode, the focus of the brain is just to get by, never mind learning, growing or changing.
Some of the parts of the brain that help maintain survival mode are the amygdala, hippocampus and emotional centres. The spine is also involved in maintaining Survival Mode.
Many people find that as they receive NeuroSpinal Optimization care, they start to switch out of Survival Mode and they start to access their PFC more.
It’s like when Karen came in this week saying that she’s noticing how she keeps creating tension in her body, holding herself tightly. A common trap at this point is to start to wonder why, to try to understand why you’re holding tension. I suggested to Karen that she take some time and just feel her body while she’s holding herself tightly, and to not concern herself with the “why”.
Trying to figure out the “why” stops us from having an embodied experience, a moment of self-awareness.
Because she was more connected to her PFC, she was able to notice not just that she doesn’t like the feeling, but that it’s not serving her. I asked her what she meant by “not serving her”.
Karen looked at me and said that she doesn’t want to go down the same road as her mother . She said that she feels that her holding so much tension in her body all the time is not helping her live a life of optimal health.
It turns out that until you can be aware of, acknowledge and accept the pain and tension, that you cause yourself with bad habits, you won’t be able to change. Feeling the effects of your habit in your body helps you to know on a deeper level that it’s not serving you and that you want something more for yourself.
Instead of maintaining Survival Mode, being able to access the PFC, opens the door to change, to new possibilities. It gives use choice instead of the predetermined repeat of the bad habit.
Through gentle contacts, NeuroSpinal Optimization helps to activate the PFC, helping us to observe ourselves and to feel the consequences of our actions. Through this process, we can naturally, organically change. Patients will often just stop certain behaviours, behaviours that they had previously been struggling with. Or they find that they’re able to express their will and apply self-discipline more strongly and easily.
If you’re interested (or if you know of someone who is) in learning more about the neurological basis of changing bad habits, you are welcome to register for the Optimal Health Workshop being held on October 17th from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
To register speak with Ceci or contact her at frontdesk@thehappyspine.ca.