3 Ways to Boost Your Emotional Brain

3 Units of Brain Image Courtesy Cerebormente.org

Article is adapted from AARP Magazine’s “Happiness Cure for Aging,” Oct/Nov 2016, p.36

The Limbic brain is the part of the brain that runs our emotions, and it may be the most important brain component we have.

Complex emotions from the limbic brain are one reason mammals dominate the heart and reptiles don’t. The reptilian brain (the purely physical brain) has control centers for fear and aggression; it runs on negative reinforcement. The limbic brain (the emotional brain) “invented” love, joy and play in mammals. It lets us love our young and work in groups. A third part of the brain (the thinking brain) speaks the language of thought and words.

These three parts of the brain are intricately wired together, but careful research shows that most of the time our emotions are in the lead. Emotion is stronger than thought. We are social and emotional creatures from start to finish. So staying connected turns out to be a biological imperative, a critical part of the good life–and a real challenge as we age.

The good news is that you can foster positive emotions by

1. consciously creating positive environments
2. driving away stress and loneliness
3. reaching out to others

Happiness comes primarily from connection.

And being part of a group means giving back to the group.

Altruism is a biological need.

Connect, commit, and care!

(emphasis added)

Tips for Feeding the Emotional (Limbic) Brain:

Essential oil blends that support your emotional and mental wellbeing as you connect and create positive interactions with others: Harmony, Gathering, Family and Friends, which are all trademarked and manufactured by Young Living Essential Oils.

Essential oils and blends that support your efforts to de-stress, think positive and commit to optimism include frankincense, juniper, lavender, lemon, orange, Sacred Mountain, Stress Away, Surrender, tangerine, White Angelica, and ylang-ylang;  all blends mentioned are trademarked and manufactured by Young Living Essential Oils.

Essential oils and blends that support you in reaching out to others with care include: Valor II, Motivation, Endoflex, black pepper, peppermint, Field, Grow and Balance; all blends mentioned are trademarked and manufactured by Young Living Essential Oils.

Get the oils mentioned here

Request a specific oil whose name speaks to you when you make your Aroma Freedom appointment. Text (201) 966-1170 and suggest times to meet. Learn more about AFT here.

–Rev. Niamo Nancy Muid

Important Note:

HealMobile services and information are not substitutes for medical or psychological diagnosis or prescription, nor do we recommend treatment, caring for, or cure of any disease. See a doctor or mental health professional for long-standing conditions, and share with him or her your interest in exploring the self-care techniques mentioned on this website.