You might wonder what it means to have a “Healthy Brain”. If we look outside of ourselves, we'll find endless opinions. I'd like to suggest another approach. Let's look inside of ourselves. Certainly, no one knows us better!

Maybe you become your brain's best friend...

We now understand that our brains are capable of growing both new neurons and new neural connections throughout our life. Wouldn’t it be helpful to know some simple exercises for making the most of those capabilities? 

Join me as we deepen our understanding of the neuroscience around our own divided brains. Although, separation gave us many evolutionary advantages, without awareness, we can become a puppet to fear and inner discord. It turns out that the average brain is more divided now than ever in the past. Plus, many of the connections we do have are inhibitory. How often do we get an idea and then either ignore it or criticize it? Or listen to repetitive thoughts? Much more than we need to!

Learn some interesting Neuroscience and a bit about "Focusing" - an internationally known, emerging form of Psychotherapy started by philosopher, Gene Gendlin. Bring your body-brain questions and a sense of humor. You will leave with a neuroscience handout and brain exercises to get you started on a path toward being your brain's best friend.

A healthy brain means healthy relationships, both those around us and within ourselves. 

Most of us are not highly skilled at relationships. It turns out our best and safest teacher is within us. Skills of interoception are a precious gift to ourselves and our children. Rather than becoming a reactive puppet to the mixed messages coming in from the world around us, interoception gives us the ability to pause, sense, interpret, integrate and regulate signals from within ourselves. What follows then is a response that holds a sense of a bigger picture than we would give in a quick reaction. 

We'll utilize a story called "The Bus Ride" from the local Smartview Stories series to practice how to help ourselves navigate typical feelings of
doubt or anxiety that can make or break a day. Smartview Stories utilizes three Inner Companions to help us understand our body-mind neuroscience and how to create a safe inner world. Bring simple drawing materials if we meet online. They will be provided if we meet in person. In the story, Wendy draws to help process her feelings.

You will go home with a practice tool you can use right away.