Thursday, 18 December 2014

Emotional Resilience- Mind Over Matter


Before, scientists thought that the ‘limbic system’, which is “a set of brain structures occurring above the brain stem but below the wrinkled, walnut-shaped cortex”, was solely responsible for the production and management of emotions. Recent studies have shown that although the source of emotional impulses comes from this region of the brain, our expression of a certain emotion is however linked to the processes of the prefrontal cortex. This is the “cortical brain structure located just behind the forehead which is associated with judgment and decision making” Therefore feeling an emotion automatically connects to/links up with how we react to them, all thanks the magical structure of the brain.

*How I understand it: emotional impulse is the source of your actions
Can almost act as the instinct- animals have almost no control of the expression of their emotions due to a structural less active part of the limbic system compared to humans. Therefore from what they feel and what their emotions tell them, they instinctively act upon it. For example, scared animals with instinctively run and hide.
Whereas with humans, the structure of our brain allow us to reflect on our emotions and feelings before we act upon them. Being emotionally resilient is an indication that using that part of the brain is strong/has had experience in use.
"A self-aware person is awake and responsible rather than asleep. They are conscious of what they are feeling and can use their understanding of their emotion to change how they act."

- It is almost like we can step back from our place and watch our reaction from the emotions like it was someone else.
“People's ability to change the way they experience emotion is important for two reasons: first because it means that people have a real, if limited, capacity to snap out of negative emotions that don't serve them, and second because choosing to snap out of negative emotions is usually a good decision that can have a positive influence on one's overall health.”


*Dance is related to movement, and maybe muscle memory is an automatic response? Maybe dancers need to be more aware of the link between our bodies and our actions form emotions, to find out what the best ‘move’ is in tricky situation.
E.g on stage, sometimes I hardly remember what actually happens, just more the feeling. I rely and trust all the work from the rehearsals and training, and my technique, to stand me in good stead to let it just happen. This helps me perform and enjoy. What I remember is the feelings I get on stage. If I focus too much on what I am actually doing, or a correction, I get scared or don’t concentrate as well. Concentration, as well as trust, is vital on stage!
However the whole build up towards those few precious moments on stage helps hugely in how you perform, and how you feel afterwards- If you feel content and fulfillment, and reward?
How you approach on what to work on effectively, how your emotions are focused in the right direction in order to prepare yourself and get yourself ready I think would help hugely! It is the worst not feeling prepared, you feel bare, insecure, and so your emotions and energies aren’t fully directed to the feeling of joy and fulfillment on stage.

This is, however, how I feel!


Mills, H., Dombeck, M., June 2005. Emotional Resilience, MentalHelp.net (online). Available at: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=5780&cn=298

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