Re-train Your Brain With Self-Care | Dima Abou Chaaban | TEDxUNBSaintJohn

Summary

This script delves into the phenomenon of burnout, recognized by the WHO as an occupational hazard. It discusses the importance of self-care in preventing burnout and enhancing resilience, motivation, and stress management. The speaker uses neuroscience to explain how self-care rewires the brain for positivity, affecting neurotransmitters responsible for our well-being. Neglecting self-care can lead to decreased energy, motivation, and even depression, while a consistent self-care routine can create a positivity pathway in the brain, helping to counteract the brain's negativity bias.

Takeaways

• 😌 Burnout is recognized by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon, indicating the importance of addressing work-related exhaustion.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Self-care is crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing the onset of burnout, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution and varies from person to person.
• 🤔 The phrase 'I'm fine' often masks deeper feelings of frustration, stress, and the desire to quit, highlighting the need for genuine self-assessment and care.
• 🧠 The brain is constantly changing due to various factors like caffeine, stress, and learning, which underscores the potential for self-care to rewire and improve brain health.
• 🎓 Neuroscience helps us understand how our brain operates under stress and the importance of self-care in shaping a healthier brain through repeated practice.
• ☕ Caffeine temporarily alters brain chemistry by blocking adenosine, which normally makes us feel tired, but relying on it can lead to a cycle of needing more to maintain energy levels.
• 🔁 The process of learning and memorization involves the strengthening of neural connections, which is similar to how self-care habits can be formed and reinforced over time.
• 🚫 Neglecting self-care can lead to a decrease in neurotransmitters responsible for good feelings, such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin, contributing to negative mental states.
• 🧠 The amygdala, responsible for detecting stress, can become overactive without self-care, leading to a constant perception of stress even in non-threatening situations.
• 💪 Practicing self-care is akin to exercising; it requires time, patience, and perseverance, and can help build resilience and positivity in the brain.
• 🛠 Creating a self-care plan is about preparing a toolkit for managing stress and preventing crises, emphasizing the importance of proactive mental health care.

Q & A

What does the World Health Organization recognize burnout as?

The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon.

Why did the speaker's best friend stop going to the gym?

The speaker's best friend stopped going to the gym because she was experiencing burnout, which affected her energy levels and made her seem off.

What does the speaker suggest is the common response when someone is asked 'Are you okay?'

The common response is to either burst into tears or say 'I'm fine,' which often means the person is actually not okay and may be feeling frustrated, upset, or wanting to quit.

What are some possible reasons for people feeling tired according to the script?

People may feel tired due to being drained from working too much, being overwhelmed with stress, or spending too much time working and not enough time doing what makes them feel good.

What is the role of self-care in preventing burnout?

Self-care helps to increase resilience, motivation, and the ability to cope with stress, and it produces neurotransmitters that make us feel good, thus preventing burnout and compassion fatigue.

What is compassion fatigue and how is it related to self-care?

Compassion fatigue is the psychological and physical fatigue from showing too much empathy to others and not enough for oneself. Self-care is essential to prevent this by ensuring one also takes care of their own needs.

How does the brain change due to the practice of self-care?

Practicing self-care helps rewire the brain by stimulating neural connections, leading to a healthier brain that is better equipped to handle stress and promote well-being.

What is the role of neurotransmitters in the context of self-care?

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin, referred to as the 'happy chemicals,' are released when practicing self-care, contributing to feelings of happiness and well-being.

What is the function of the amygdala in relation to stress?

The amygdala is responsible for detecting stress and acts as the 'stress radar' in the brain, becoming active during stressful situations and increasing heart rate and cortisol levels.

How can practicing self-care help balance the amygdala's response to stress?

Practicing self-care helps manage stress levels, which in turn keeps the amygdala balanced and prevents the brain from constantly perceiving danger even when there is none.

What is the significance of creating a self-care plan when not in crisis?

Creating a self-care plan when not in crisis is about building a toolkit that can be used in times of distress, allowing for better preparedness and prevention of making stressful situations worse.