WORK,
STRESS,
and
MINDFULNESS
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½
⅓
¼
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⅕
1/∞
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Outline
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Evolutionary Neurobiology
How We Learn and How We Perceive
The Three Brains
Neocortical Processing and Hardwiring of Experience
Our Bodies Under Threat
The Zone of Optimal Functioning
Anterior Cingulate Cortex – The Conductor of the Orchestra
The Full Symphonic Orchestra: Mindfulness
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Neuroplasticity
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Evolution of the human brain
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The Triune Brain
Neocortex = The Story
Limbic (paleo) = The Feeling Tone
Reptilian = Sensorimotor
Reflexive/Instinctual
Response
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Input and Outflow
sensory
processing
processing
motor
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How Experience Is Generated
neocortex
limbic
reptilian
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WE ARE PATTERN SEEKERS
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Autocorrect detects
patterns and anticipates
content to save time and
effort, sometimes with
disastrous results!
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cna yuo raed tihs?
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How Experience Is Generated
neocortex
limbic
reptilian
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Optimism
Pessimism
Curiosity
Danger
Time Stamp
No Time Stamp
Verbal
Nonverbal
Factual
Procedural
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R AMYGDALA
“Smoke detector” of the brain
Danger pattern detector
Initiates defensive behaviors
(fight, flight, freeze, collapse,
dissociation)
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left
right
Amygdala
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Right Frontal Cortex
Interoception
The “how” of relating to self
and others – attachment style
The center for self soothing
(secure attachment) or self
judgment (insecure attachment)
Not concerned with time –
it’s always NOW
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left
right
Right Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
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Left Frontal Cortex
Curiosity
Optimism
Learning new associations –
“Things that fire together wire
together”
Able to distinguish between
past and present
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left
right
Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
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Right Parietal Cortex
Spatial orientation
Boundary between “self” and
“not self”
Personal space, safety zone
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left
right
Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
Right Parietal Cortex
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left
right
Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
Right Parietal Cortex
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Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Focused attention and concentration
The only area of the brain that can
down-regulate the amygdala
Rich connection with both left and right
frontal regions
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When the R Amygdala Fires
Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
Anterior Cingulate
Cortex
Right Parietal Cortex
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Sympathetic Activation
Freeze
Highly alert, engaged, attentive,
still but ready to move
Fight/Flight
No thinking or cognition
Instinctual, reflexive
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Parasympathetic
Activation
Collapse
Heart rate slowed, decreased
muscle tone, decreased
awareness, no thinking,
no movement
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Window of Tolerance
HYPERAROUSED
Increased sensation
Emotional reactivity
Hypervigilance
Disorganized cognitive processing
SYMPATHETIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WINDOW OF TOLERANCE
OPTIMAL AROUSAL ZONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HYPOAROUSED
Relative absence of sensations
Numbing of emotions
Disabled cognitive processing
Decreased movement and low muscle tone
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PARASYMPATHETIC
(vagus)
What do you find
stressful?
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WORRY HARDER…
I don’t think it’s working yet!
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THE INTERNAL JUDGE
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Constantly knocks
us out of the zone of
optimal arousal.
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Window of Tolerance
HYPERAROUSED
Increased sensation
Emotional reactivity
Hypervigilance
Disorganized cognitive processing
SYMPATHETIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WINDOW OF TOLERANCE
OPTIMAL AROUSAL ZONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HYPOAROUSED
Relative absence of sensations
Numbing of emotions
Disabled cognitive processing
Decreased movement and low muscle tone
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PARASYMPATHETIC
(vagus)
How Experience Is Generated
neocortex
limbic
reptilian
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Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Focused attention and concentration
The only area of the brain that can
down-regulate the amygdala
Rich connection with both left and right
frontal regions
40
When the R Amygdala Fires
Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
Anterior Cingulate
Cortex
Right Parietal Cortex
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Right Frontal Cortex
Left Frontal Cortex
Amygdala
Anterior Cingulate
Cortex
Right Parietal Cortex
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