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 Valentine's Day is special because we take time to really focus on those we love. This day gives us the reminder to focus on how important it is to give love. 

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.” 

Research is demonstrating an increasing amount of evidence on the impact of love in our lives. The following information posted in the Exchange Everyday Newsletter today provides a sample of the latest findings. 

"Today is Valentine's Day in the U.S., the day when men are expected to demonstrate their love by sharing heart-shaped boxes of candy or jewelry with their significant other. Now research is showing us that all this lovey-dovey stuff may have health benefits.

Ode Magazine (June 2005) reported on research on the role of the heart being performed at the Institute of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, California. These researchers have concluded that "... emotions work much faster, and are more powerful, than thoughts. And that — when it comes to the human body — the heart is much more important than the brain to overall health and well-being — even cognitive function... Thinking clearly with your brain is useful. But feeling positively from your heart provides an amazing boost to health and creativity."

"It has now been demonstrated that the heart sends signals to the brain and the hormonal system via nerves, which carry the heart rhythm patterns. It doesn’t matter so much how many times a heart beats per minute; it’s the rhythm of the heartbeat that counts... HeartMath’s research team has discovered that certain patterns in the heart rhythm correspond to a particular emotional state. [Researcher Rollin] McCraty explains, “With every heartbeat, information is supplied that affects our emotions, our physical health, and the quality of our lives.” This means that feelings of compassion, love, care, and appreciation produce a smoothly rolling... heart rhythm, while feelings of anger, frustration, fear, and danger emit a jagged and capricious image...

"Simply put: when people experience love, they not only feel happy and joyful, but they also produce, for example, more DHEA, the hormone that prevents aging, and gives us feelings of youthful vitality... At the same time, the production of damaging stress hormones like cortisol is reduced. High levels of cortisol have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, and fatigue. By contrast, a 'loving body' absorbs less cholesterol, thereby preventing arteries from clogging while boosting production of immunoglobulin A, an important biochemical that boosts immune function. In addition, blood pressure stabilizes."
 

The impact this can make is the primary reason I started braininsights, and The Brain Development Series is,   You can purchase the packets today at a 20% discount! Use the promo code: NEW

Hope your brain has a wonderful day giving love!!