Fun brain technique to stop a full on stress reaction

Let’s just say I’m in a tense conversation with someone. I start to feel the tension rising, my heart racing, along with feelings of frustration and anger.

‘Oh you’re not listening to me.’

‘My opinion doesn’t matter.’

I start to experience a fight/flight or even freeze stress response.

My mind becomes consumed with irritation towards the other person, and the negativity of the conversation.

My muscles tense, and I feel the urge to either react emotionally, storm off or just completely withdraw and shut down.

None of these reactions benefit me, the relationship or the situation.

So, the technique I use is bilateral stimulation. As a means of bringing me back into balance.

Let me explain this using some core principles. I’m going to generalise because the brain is complex.

And whilst the specifics may vary if you’re left or right handed, the idea is the same.

We have two hemispheres of the brain.

Generally speaking, the left hemisphere of the brain is involved with literal processing, semantics, concrete details, linear thought, methodical plans and data measurement.

Conversely, the right hemisphere is more involved with implicit meanings conveyed by body language, abstract symbolism, associative references, colours, textures and sounds that carry emotional significance.

We can lateralise. The example of my response to the tense conversation is one.

Here’s another example using two descriptions of a guitar: one from a left hemisphere perspective focusing on its physical attributes – A six-12lb instrument with a neck, tuners and strings.

And the other from a right hemisphere perspective - it’s the thing that evokes feelings of romance, escapism and emotional connection between the player and the listener.

So how do I use this brain science when I’m in a tense conversation to stop me from lateralising, and getting into a downward spiral?

I use bilateral stimulation which allows me to toggle between left and right hemisphere engagement. This can help break the stress response cycle and habituated reactions.

Left brain hemisphere engagement: I spell out a description of the conversation. Eg this conversation is B.A.D and U.N.N.E.C.E.S.S.A.R.Y.

Right brain hemisphere engagement: I give the conversation a colour, sound, texture Eg this conversations is black, it sounds like a loud horn, it’s sticky and gloopy.

I’ve just toggled across the midline of my brain. I’ve bilaterally stimulated.

In the moment.

It prevents me from going down a familiar, habituated road – stress.

Does it keep me out of stress completely? No.

Can it? Yes!

If I keep toggling I can actually keep myself from having a full stress response.

I’d love to know if you’re going to try it.

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Jo Britton, BA(Hons), MBA, Certified Performance Coach (Distinction), Certified Neurosculpting? Facilitator, DiSC practitioner, Trainer, Speaker.

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Jo Britton, BA(Hons), MBA, Certified Performance Coach (Distinction), Certified Neurosculpting? Facilitator, DiSC practitioner, Trainer, Speaker.

Director PACE Development.

Jo works with ambitious high achievers in demanding roles who need to excel under pressure, make high-stakes/quick decisions, problem-solve in ambiguous situations, and resiliently overcome challenges without burning out. Her clients are typically from the C-suite, leadership, teams and professionals in various industries sectors.? They benefit from her coaching approach that integrates applied neuroscience with Neurosculpting?. Through this, Jo helps her clients to harness brain plasticity to unscript unhelpful mental, emotional and physical patterns so that they overcome self-imposed limitations and release stress. And at the same time, helps her clients to script empowering patterns which support high performance, resilience, focus, calm, motivation and energy. Her work has been featured in the national, regional and trade press and she’s held regular slots on BBC radio and regional TV, sharing these brain-based tools. Jo has held senior leadership positions in industry including in marketing, sales, learning and development and consultancy.