Little Book of How My Brain Works for Young People - Little Book of How My Brain Works for Young People
What does your brain do?
Your brain sends messages and receives information from all parts of your body.
Your brain is made up of different parts which all work together.
Your brain grows from the bottom up and the inside out.
Your brain will continue growing until you are in your 20s, but will continue changing forever.
Teenage brains may respond differently to emotions.
Does your brain always act the same way?
- The human brain is built for change.
- Our brains are like an elastic - they can adapt, change, learn new things, react differently and think differently about things.
This is called NEUROPLASTICITY.
Parts of the Brain
- Neocortex: Responsible for Learning, Decision-making, Planning, Reasoning and Regulation.
- Limbic System: Responsible for Emotions, Feelings, Alarm System, Flight/Fight/Freeze/Fawn.
- Brain Stem: Responsible for Breathing, Heart, Circulation, Keeping you safe.
Your Brain and Your Emotions
As you become an adolescent, your brain goes through big changes! Do you find that your emotional reactions to situations are more intense? Ever wondered why?
Your emotions may feel bigger or more intense because your limbic system is more sensitive during the teenage years. The thinking part (neocortex) is still developing.
Emotions are strong because of..... HORMONES! As early as 7 years old, hormones begin to surge through the areas of the brain that manage emotion. The good news.... this is a perfectly normal part of growing up., although it may make you uncomfortable at times and is a real challenge. Big emotional situations, like sitting an exam, can make it hard for young people to keep emotions in check. Check out some important hormones on the right.
Hormones (or Neurotransmitters, they transport messages) Oxytocin - the love hormone: driven by trust and touch, socialising. Dopamine - the reward hormone: eating, completing a task, little wins. Endorphin - the painkilling hormone: laughter, exercise and sport, pain. Serotonin - the mood hormone: exercise, being in nature and in the sun. Cortisol - the “stress” hormone: stress, ‘fight or flight’, lack of sleep.
To find out more visit BBC Bitesize - The Teenage Brain.
Do all parts of the brain work together?
Emotion and reason don’t live in different parts of the brain! If you are in danger (a bear in the woods!), your brain prepares the body to flee or fight. The brainstem and the limbic system both send signals to the body to release chemicals, cortisol and adrenaline. Your heart and lungs begin to work faster (brainstem), you may feel fear or excitement (limbic system) and automatically plan to run or defend yourself. The neocortex learns from the experience and remembers, if there is a next time!
What is ‘Flipping Your Lid’?
The Brain Stem receives information from inside and outside the body
The Limbic System takes information from the Brainstem and turns in into an emotion
The Neocortex takes information from the other two, processes it and makes a decision for your body to act on
HOWEVER, sometimes the Brain Stem and Limbic System ‘take over’ and the body’s ALARM SYSTEM goes off!!
Some call this ‘EMOTIONAL HIJACKING’ The Cortex is no longer ‘in tune’ with the rest of the brain causing you to lose some control of behaviours, decisions and the ability to think clearly.
Dr Dan Siegel calls this ‘Flipping your lid.’ Listen to Dr Dan Siegel explain the hand model of the brain.
How do you put your lid back on?
- Breathe: Breathing in and out slowly can help calm us and get all parts of the brain working together again.
- Gentle exercise: A gentle walk can reduce the chemicals in your brain that make you flip your lid.
- Find a safe space: Taking time away from what you are doing and with someone who knows you gives you space to calm your brain.
- Self-care: Do something that makes you smile. Looking after your emotional health is as important as looking after your physical health.
Self Care Suggestions
Grounding Technique:
Quietly notice: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste
Exercise: Did you know?.......Cross body exercises are good for training each part of your brain to work together?
Sleep: Teen Sleep Hub Resources
Starfish breathing: Starfish Breathing
EA Little Book Series: EA Little Book Series
My Fantastic Elastic Brain!
Write down some of the things you once couldn’t do but can now do easily..... Ride a bike.
Now write down some of the things you would like to learn to do in the future.
Listen to My Fantastic Elastic Brain.