Rewiring Your Brain and Nervous System: Overcoming Unhelpful Patterns

In this episode, host Mona explores how our brain and nervous system, though well-meaning, often work against us based on past experiences. She compares this phenomenon to the game 'Saboteur,' where players unknowingly create paths leading away from their goals. Mona discusses common reactions such as overthinking, overworking, and shutting down, and explains how these are survival strategies rooted in our nervous system's misperception of danger. By understanding concepts like the polyvagal theory and neuroception, listeners can start recognizing unhelpful patterns like overworking, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. Mona also shares practical techniques for retraining the brain and nervous system through both top-down and bottom-up approaches, highlighting the importance of neuroplasticity in creating safer, healthier responses.

00:00 Introduction: Understanding Your Brain and Nervous System

01:32 The Saboteur Game: A Metaphor for Your Brain

03:43 Common Patterns of Self-Sabotage

07:49 Overworking: The Flight Response in Disguise

10:20 People Pleasing: The Fawn Response

11:26 Perfectionism: The Freeze and Flight Blend

14:15 Numbing and Avoiding: The Freeze Response

16:47 Rewriting Your Survival Manual

18:22 Practical Techniques for Nervous System Regulation

22:18 Conclusion: Embrace Change and Rewire Your System

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