Dr Paul Carlisle, EdD, LPC

09/11/2022

09/02/2021

Brain Hack #4.
When you are focusing on or giving attention to something specific your brain begins to fire in a precise and unique way,. This will sound simple but here goes, change the focus of your attention and you can change the firing of your neurons.

To do this is more challenging when a person does not feel safe and secure. No matter how safe it is the "felt sense" of danger will always win.

For example, if you are finding your brain worrying about an upcoming meeting with your boss, see if you can find something else to focus your attention on. For instance, you may think of a time you meet with a superior and the meeting went well. You may choose to think about the supper you are going to have with your family tonight, and/or a host of other things.

Also, trying deep diaphragmatic breathing.

This is not denial. It is intentionally lighting up an alternative network of neurons.

If shifting your focus does not bring you some relief, you may be tapping a neuro-network that has been there a while and built-up strength. If so, I suggest havening touch with distractions. Hope this helps. :)

08/27/2021

Brain Hack #3
When an individual has a distressing experience the brain stores it in the emotional brain. It’s extremely helpful to tell the story of the distressing event over and over until it loses its intensity. Do this as close to the distressing event as possible. For others journaling is how they can tell the story over and over again. The brain wants to heal, to release the painful event. I suggest viewing the post on Havening touch with distraction and using it (with distractions) as you’re telling the story to clear out the distress.

08/26/2021

Brain Hack #2
You’re thinking brain and your emotional brain are designed to work together as a team. When to much threat occurs the emotional brain takes over and research says we can drop as much as 30 IQ points. I’m not saying you’re dumb. I’m saying that you don’t have access to your smarts. When this happens it can take at least 20 minutes for your breathing to slow, your blood pressure to go down and for your emotional brain to reconnect to your thinking brain. So when emotions are at a moderate - high level give yourself space and time for your brain to reconnect to itself. Humming and or singing can help facilitate this.

08/25/2021

Being kind and compassionate to ourselves is often a novel practice. We are learning as we go to love ourselves like we love our neighbors.

08/25/2021

Brain Hack #1
I’m going to offer some short posts that have to do with health in general but specifically brain health.

Deep, abdominal breathing to a count of four as you inhale and a slow count to six as you exhale have a positive impact on your brain. It actually impacts your heart rate and circulatory system as well. If you find yourself beginning to get emotional escalated or stressed try the deep abdominal breathing for a few minutes. It really helps!

08/20/2021

Let's look at how Our brains work when we "flip our lids" and what we can do when we do.

08/20/2021

Take a look with me at how our DEFENSE mechanisms develop and how to free ourselves from them.

08/17/2021

Nice post from my good friend Beth Russell. Thanks Beth!