Do you react to things without thinking?…

If your like me then you probably do it more often then you’d like to admit it right? Well, there’s a very good explanation of it which might just make you feel a little better about it.

Sometimes we get flooded with emotions and thoughts and that doesn’t even include the overwhelming amount of information that gets thrown our way from multiple media outlets we use during the day, to sound and voices and our kids yelling or asking us tons of questions ….I hear ya! Been there…well actually, I’m still there and you must be too. Writing this as the television is loudly playing a kids show in the background so I can get this done.

Your brain only releases happy chemicals when you take steps toward meeting needs.

Loretta Graziano Breuning PhD.

Okay let’s focus on this week’s topic…with mama of 2, Loretta Graziano Breuning, founder of the Inner Mammal Institute in California. Where she has observed for years animal interactions, how they deal with conflict and the social behaviors of animals. From there she’s intergrated those similarities to us, humans and made the connections on how the mammal brain has evolved today to become and still remain active…whether we want to admit it or not.

Having the power to rewire your brain and change your behavior.

I’ll keep it real, this isn’t easy, heck if it was then you’d be happy ALL THE TIME and doing ALL THE RIGHT THINGS that you want for yourself and your loved ones. But being aware of what’s going on and the workings of that animal/human brain will make you realize that some things are just normal and not your imperfections AND that once you become aware of this then …first of all you might just give a little more breathing room ….and secondly only then can you learn to work your prehistorical programmed brain and happily retrain what puts a hump in your days. Sounds good?

Fill Your Pantry With Healthy Distractions!

I’m not talking about food in your kitchen…i’m talking about the ‘habits’ aka food you feed your brain that keeps it energized and happy throughout your day, your week, gets you through your projects and those first 45 days….(this last one you’ll get it after listening to the episode…I promise).

Let’s focus on your negative habits for a few minutes now….think about which ones you have that are not great for you, which ones temporarily make you feel good but then that good happy feeling quickly vanishes like a ghost. So now that you’ve got at least one in mind…I’m guessing that you do, well Loretta will explain the power of good distractions to eliminate those pesky, irritable and even literally unhealthy habits that you haven’t learned to eliminate yet. Or maybe your kids have some irritable negative habits that you wish would change, well hop on the bus momma because this episode will give you some valuable insights and specific ideas on how you can do that today, tomorrow and hopefully keep at it for the rest of your life.

Managing Your Happy Chemicals So You Can Have More

I bet you want to know more about those 4 happy chemicals and how you can get high or bursts of happiness from them. Drugs not included and no extra money needed! Seriously, Loretta has identified and if you read her book (Habits of A Happy Brain…listed below in the resources mentioned) then you’ll find lists of examples for each one but in this episode you’ll get one or two listed for each specific one.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the 4 BIG categories for these happy chemicals:

Dopamine (good at setting goals)

Oxytocin (social connections)

Serotonin ( being respected)

Endorphins (mastering pain)

Once you learn how to boost these 4 happy chemicals…and honestly most people don’t even talk about them this way, then you will feel happier, more confident that you’ve got this or in the very least that you understand what it takes to feel happier and what you need to rewire in your brain so that you will be and get closer to how you want to live, be and feel most of the time.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE!

APPLE PODCAST (LEAVE A REVIEW HERE) / STITCHER / SOUNDCLOUD / SPOTIFY

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

0-6:10 Intro

6:10 Why you love certain colors?

8:50 How conflict in her childhood changed her path

10:50 Learning about the mammalian brain & conflicts

13:15 Protecting our children from conflicts

15:28 Her book ‘Habits of A Happy Brain’

16:25 The differences between the animal brain and the human brain.

20:00 We are born reacting instinctively like animals.

22:05 Rewiring your early circuits.

24:20 The best ages & worst ages to develop new habits.

28:50 These 2 things will help you rewire your brain.

31:45 Tips for moms to help rewire your kids brains. The power of distractions.

36:30 Tips & How long it takes your brain to eliminate a bad chemical.

37:40 Do this if you want to remove a bad habit

40:00 Steps to adopt new healthy habits

44:20 The 4 Happy chemicals & their happy habits

54:35 Comparing yourself to others

55:30 Which circuits should you be building?

57:20 How to plan your day with your Happy Habits

58:00 COVID19 – How to boost your happiness chemicals during this time.

1:00:00 I asked Loretta a personal question… about relationships 

1:02:00 Where you can connect with Loretta online

1:04:00 The LAST Question

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:

• Website
• Parent/Teacher Website
• Facebook – Loretta Breuning PhD
• Facebook Group – Inner Mammal Institute

RESSOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Book – Loretta Graziano Breuning PhD. ‘Habits Of A Happy Brain: : Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels’
• Book –Loretta Graziano Breuning PhD. ‘Tame Your Anxiety: Rewiring Your Brain for Happiness’
• Happy Brain Podcast

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It’s important to share your thoughts and ideas directly in the comments. We all need each other to thrive as mothers and parents in this lifelong journey. Share your love, frustrations, favorite takeaways and stories in a respectful way.

Christiane xxx