Tame Your Monkey Brain
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“Monkey brain” syndrome is running wild due to excessive multi tasking and mindless activities fueled by addictive technology, media stimulation, social networking mania and everyday life demands. Engaging with this frantic craziness has diminished our ability to complete simple tasks accurately, think clearly, accomplish a fulfilling day’s work, maintain a healthy body, develop meaningful relationships, grow and have fun. We may be losing control of our most important asset….Focused Brain Power.
You probably have some “monkey brain” behavior going on if you can relate to three or more of these symptoms:
- Rarely staying on-task longer than 10 minutes
- Checking email or texting more than 5 times an hour
- Feeling like you are losing your mind
- Can’t remember what you did 30 minutes ago
- Difficulty solving problems and making decisions
- Pulled in too many directions
- Life is out of control
- Not enough time to get things done
- Making frequent mistakes
- Nearly impossible to quiet your mind
- Strained relationships with people you care about
Your brain is an electrochemical organ capable of generating as much as 10 watts of electrical power. Electrical activity is displayed in four categories of brain waves. An active and engaged brain generates high frequency, low amplitude Beta waves, typically in the range of 14.0 – 40.0 cycles per second (cps). Many people find it difficult to focus and concentrate at the higher Beta frequencies. It is easier to think deeply, learn, solve challenging problems and make important decisions at lower brain frequencies. The high Beta range frequencies are what we refer to as the “monkey brain” state. The next lower brain frequency range is Alpha (7.5 – 14.0 cps: relaxed, super learning); then, Theta (4.0 – 7.5 cps: drowsy, creative); and the lowest, Delta (0.5 – 4.0 cps: sleep, dreaming).
Emergency First Aid
To escape your “monkey brain”, you must lower your brain wave frequency. This may include a combination of closing your eyes to remove visual cortex brain activity, breathing deeply and rhythmically to oxygenate, taking a walk for more oxygen and relaxation and playing restful classical music. These actions are your escape key to get your head together with increased, creative, focused thinking.
Taming Strategies
Set aside an hour to be alone with yourself in a quiet and peaceful place. Perhaps a park, art museum, library or comfortable room comes to mind. Think about the following questions:
- What can I eliminate that yields no or low value?
- What do I want more of that brings me fulfillment?
Write your answers and read them aloud. This step is your navigation system for change. Think about how you spend a typical day. Estimate how much time you spend on each activity, the reason why you do this specific thing and the benefits you get back. Getting a clear picture of the outcomes from your daily activities is the key to “taming your monkey brain.” You must eliminate unneeded and wasteful activities. Strive to spend more time on what gives you greatest value. When you get rid of something, invest this time wisely and don’t fall into the trap of adding more “monkey brain” activities.
The litmus test for taming your monkey brain is being able to say that today’s activities are giving you outcomes you will be happy with one year from now. Living a fruitful and happy life is truly an “inside game.” Remember to do the taming strategy exercise every 30 days or more. You can trust practical neuroscience for a better and less stressful life.
Author Message:
You may not be aware that our organization is a trusted and respected source of reliable practical neuroscience solutions for personal and organizational development. We have been creating and delivering brain-based human development solutions, since 1992. The message that follows directs you to a quick, easy, and low cost solution you may be searching for.
Another way to tame your “monkey brain” is to distract it with something more important that serves you better. A fun way to continue your journey of self development is discovering how your brain is wired for success. Your personalized Brain PathWays report gives you practical neuroscience tools, based on your brain strengths to “be the best you can be” and, help you escape the clutches of monkey brain. The on-line process takes less than 15 minutes, the results last a life time. Click to purchase your Brain PathWays online self-assessment and download your report today.
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Dear Christina,
Thank you for listing our article “How To Tame Your Monkey Brain” on your sustainable leadership blog site. Your thinking makes total sense to me; that may be because we work in the same area. LOL. Helping people connect their “brain power” with their “heart power” seems to be an essential key to sustainabitity. One without the other tends to be lopsided; takes the “dynamic duo” to get the sustainable results you speak of. I am happy you are taking this tack, it’s important.
We work in the field of practical neuroscience to help people live a better, more prosperous and peaceful life with less stress. Leaders include the obvious people in government, industry, education, health care and religion; we also see anyone interested in being a role model for “sustainable behavior “in familes and where they work as leaders as well. Does this make sense to you? My orientation is “start small,” “start where you are,” and, “don’t forget to start.”
Best and kindest regards,
Stephen Hager
The Hadron Group
Creators of brain based human development tools since 1992
http://www.brainpathways.net
This is a subject that need a whole organization who deals solely with it as an epidemic. Great article!
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