Escaping the black box | Neuroscience reveals

Your brain is trapped in a black box.

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It is asking your body to help reduce uncertainty.

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In a recent interview with Andrew Huberman, the fabulous inter-disciplinary scientist and author Lisa Feldman Barrett revealed this intriguing aspect of our brain's functioning.

When exposed to a sudden loud noise, be it a car door slamming, a peal of thunder, or even a gunshot, the brain is confronted with a critical challenge.

It must make an educated guess regarding the source of the sound and prepare the body's internal state accordingly. This cognitive process is fraught with questions: Should I run, stay still, or do I just need to get an umbrella? The brain relies on past experiences to inform its guesswork.

This involves referencing similar past signals in the face of present uncertainty, which is a fundamental concept within the realm of psychology known as "categorisation".

These categories aid in formulating potential action plans for the body. The issue lies in determining the most appropriate category for the given situation. In situations where differentiation between cues is crucial, such as distinguishing between rainfall and a gunshot, life's ability to proceed smoothly and securely hinges on this decision-making process. In essence, uncertainty can be the most daunting emotion for the human mind.

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How can we enhance the brain's ability to make informed guesses about the underlying signals from the body? What strategies can enhance the brain's categorisation process? Are there any practices to improve the connections between the mind and body and reduce uncertainty?

It is within this context that I find yoga nidra, sometimes referred to as a body scan meditation, comes into play.

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When undertaking a body scan, I experience these psychological and physiological benefits:

• Acknowledging the diverse signals being generated by the body calms the nervous system.
• Rewarding the body with "self-care time" for being diligent in sending and receiving signals.
• Learning what signals come up, which ones can be relaxed and which require a little extra care or attention.

The practice of yoga nidra ultimately contributes to a more peaceful existence. If you experiencing this body scan meditation for the first time, join a yoga class in your community or search for "yoga nidra" on Youtube.

Vishal George is the Chief Behavioural Scientist at Behavioural by Design and author of Money Mindsets. Take this online masterclass in behavioural science with Vishal to learn the art and science of behaviour change.