Pain and Learning…

An effective class needs motivated and excited Educators and Students. Easier said than done. Brain’s limbic system could be our allied or our enemy for that need. A brain in pain does not work – fear, anxiety, depression, insecurity, stress are our enemies when we need to be focused and motivated to teach and to learn. A traumatized brain can also be a tired, hungry, worried, rejected, or detached brain expressing feelings of isolation, worry, angst, and fear. When we feel distress, our brain feels threatened. Our limbic system increases blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration with an excessive secretion of cortisol and adrenaline. Fear response damages parts of the brain responsible for cognition and learning. Educators need to create calm and safe brain states within ourselves and within the students. Feelings are the language of the limbic system. A student in stress will not hear our words, will not pay attention, will not learn and very important, will not enjoy.

How calm the stress response?

1. Movement

Movement is very effective for learning while calms the stress and fear response. Teachers and students together could design a space where they can walk or move to relieve stress. Physical activities help to calm the limbic system and bring the focus back to learning and reasoning.

2. Focused Attention

Focused attention, through deep and short breaths, helps teachers and students focus on a particular stimulus. When we breathe deeply, we are priming the brain for increased attention. We increase an oxygenated blood and glucose flow to the frontal lobes of the brain where emotional regulation, attention, and problem solving occur.

3. Understanding the Brain

Teaching students about how our brain works is very empowering. Our minds begin to relax through knowing that our reactions are natural and common. We cannot always control the emotions in our lives, but we can shift how we respond to them.