THE BRAIN THRIVES ON LOVE

Did You Know...?

...... feel good chemicals are released in the brain through loving interactions.
.... the body and brain will stop growing if there is a lack of touch.
....... families and cultures that express warm physical affection have fewer issues with anger and aggression.
..... Researchers who examine the life histories of children who have succeeded despite many challenges, have consistently found that these children have had at least one stable, supportive relationship with an adult early in life.

 Of course the holidays are special because we take time to really focus on those we love. This season provides us the pause to focus on how important it is to give love and attention our to children. 

It is valuable to realize how much the brain has to do with relationships and the love we experience in our lives. Love is one of our primary needs throughout our lives.

Warm, responsive caregiving not only meets an infant's basic day-to-day needs for nourishment and warmth, but is also about responding to the child's preferences, moods, and rhythms. This consistent caregiving is not only comforting for an infant, it plays a vital role in optimal mental health.The way that parents, families and other caregivers consistenly to relate and respond to young children, directly affects our expectations for relationships later in life. 

This all begins in infancy but does not end there. This is why I love to share the writing of Mark Brady, Ph.D. I most enjoy his writing about what he states is the, "Big Brain Question". Bellow are some pieces form his contributions on this topic.

The healthy brain is an anticipation-prediction machine. When we operate in environments where there is little predictability and we have little idea what to anticipate from one moment to the next, chronic stress results. There’s ONE question that all brains want answered, and they want it answered, “Yes.” Parent’s brains, children’s brains, all brains. And they don’t want a lukewarm “Yes,” or a “Maybe Yes” or a “Getting-to-Yes Yes.” They want a substantial, resounding, unequivocal, “YES!” Yes. When the answer is something other than “Yes.” if the answer is “Maybe,” or “I’m not sure,” a confusion and uncertainty begins to take shape in our brains. The Question our brains ask is …… Are you there for me…? Do I matter enough that you’ll put me first when I need you to? Can I count on you to attend to me in the ways I need you to? Do I truly and deeply matter to you? These questions are being asked – nonverbally through behavior often – and when they get answered “Yes,” we can relax and begin to feel safe in our relationships. The self-preservation structures of the brain continually monitor our environment and the people in it for safety. Our survival depends upon it. We generally love the people we feel the safest being around, and the emotional responsiveness often identified as love arises out of this safe “felt sense.” 

The impact this can make is the primary reason I started braininsights, and my favorite packet in The Brain Development Series is, Love Your Baby.  For the holidays, I am offering a way to spread the love even further the rest of this month!  You can purchase, Love Your Baby at a 50% discount!