1. YOUR BRAIN ON STRESS

2.  Brain Quiz  Teen Brain  Making the Connection  Chill Tip

4. THE TEEN BRAIN Stress affects all people’s brains, regardless of age, it can particularly impact a developing teenage brain. There are 3 keys parts to the brain that play a key role in how we react to stress:  Amygdala “The Security Guard” responsible for basic functions (breathing, swallowing and protecting us from threats - “Fight/Flight/Freeze”. It’s job is to quickly process and express emotion (especially anger and fear)

5.  Hippocampus “The Manager” it helps to manage our response to fear and threats. It acts as a storage vault of learning and memory.  Prefrontal cortex “The Planner” is the learning, reasoning and thinking part of the brain. It controls decision making, planning, focusing attention and problem-solving.

6. DID YOU KNOW……?  The brains response to stress is linked to the function of the limbic system, in particular the amygdala, which serves as an information filter which is regulated by our emotional side  When we are calm, the filter is open, information flows to the prefrontal cortex (problem-solving, planning, complex thoughts, attention and focus, discipline, flexible thinking etc…). When this happens we process information, think things through and choose how we will respond  When we are stressed, the filter is blocked, information doesn’t pass from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex. When this happens we are stuck in the fight/flight/freeze reaction mode

7. CHILL TIP!! Acting before thinking can be a positive reaction when you’re in a dangerous situation, but acting or reacting without thinking in everyday situations isn’t usually helpful. There are many ways we can teach our bodies and brains to THINK BEFORE SPEAK. Here’s an easy way: COUNT TO TEN: When we are angry or feel we need to react right away, “in the moment” our brains need time to process what has just happened (analyze, interpret and prioritize information)and choose the best course of action. Counting to Ten gives our brain time to process. Try counting to Ten the next time you are angry.

8. REMEMBER………  As a teenager, “Amygdala thinking” (or extreme emotional thinking) is NORMAL because your brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex  Practicing some of the stress-management tools (such as counting to Ten) can help develop your brain. It may also make you feel much better and take away some of your stress.