Presents

Upshift, Downshift, About Shift

Arlene R. Taylor PhDwww.arlenetaylor.org Brain References

Brain PhenomenonArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

The term downshifting is a label for a natural brain phenomenon

It describes the brain’s response to a perceived lack of safety

It is designed for bona fide threats in the short term only

Metaphoric Term Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Compare brain downshifting toa vehicle’s automatic transmissionthat shifts up/down automaticallyas needed in response to the environmental conditions it encounters

Brain downshifting occurs automatically in response to the degreeof threat perceived by thebrain (from 3rd to 2nd or 1st)

Description Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

In situations that involve trauma, crisis, fear, or any type of threat the brain tends to direct its attention and energy automatically toward lower brain areas attempting to access functions it hopes will promote safety

The person experiences a sense of anxiety or perceives a lack of safety rather than the excitement of a challenge

Brain Layers or GearsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

McLean’s Triune Brainis a model for understandingdownshifting more easily . . .

Each brain layer contains distinct functions – although all systems interact continually

The brain can shift up and down through these brain layers or gears . . .

Reptilian Layer – 1st Gear Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Brain stem, Cerebellum (subconscious)

Processes the present only

Perceives positives easily

Houses stress responses (fight-flight, tend-befriend, conserve-withdraw) and dominates when threat is perceived

Provides awareness of your outer sensory environment

Reptilian 1st Gear, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Is egocentric and loosely resembles the “id”— I am here and it’s all about me!

Doesn’t use language but perceives the internal mental pictures language creates

Houses the Reticular Activating System that influences the EAI continuum

Usually the last portion of the brain to die

Mammalian Layer – 2nd Gear Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Limbic System Structures (subconscious)

Perceives present and past

Perceives positives easily

Processes information 80,000 times faster than the thinking brain layer

Transfers information from short to long term memory; assembles associations for memory recall (search engine)

Mammalian 2nd Gear, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Loosely resembles the “ego” — I am here … but so are you

Processes the sense of smell

Directs immune system function

Generates emotional impulses

Provides the foundation for relationships with its tools of emotion

Neo-Cortex Layer – 3rd GearArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Cerebrum (eight lobes and consciousness)

Registers awareness of present, past, and future

Perceives positives and negatives

Decodes all sensory data except for smell

Limitless potential for processing concepts

Uses all forms of language with complex analysis

Neo-Cortex 3rd Gear, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Loosely resembles the “superego” – can think of the good of others and do self-care

Pre-frontal cortex contributes executive aspects ( e.g., abstract thought, metaphor, planning, goal-setting, paying attention, conscience, willpower, morality)

Can process 125 bits of information and 40 bits of speech per second

“Give Up” to “Get”Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Fail to recall (e.g., people tend to recall less than 15% of what was told to them during a crisis)

Decrease in cognitive learning

Develop or activate phobias

Accelerate the aging process

Alter immune system

Consequences, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Experience a reduced ability to take cues into consideration

Less able to engage in complex mental tasks (e.g., decreased creativity)

Fail to see interconnectedness or generate solutions for problems

Reactivate old learned beliefs and patterns of behaviors or relapse into addictive behaviors regardless of available information

Consequences To LearningArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Downshifted people can do some things well -- simple skills or rote memorization -- because the brainperseverates under threat, and repetition provides a sense of safety when the brain feels unsafe

Repetition is compatible with manytraditional parenting and teaching reward-punishment-based systems and practices

Valid Fear Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Alerts you to potential/real danger

Identify the worst thing that could happen

Evaluate possibility versus probability

Can you do anything about the situation?

If yes, take appropriate action If no, practice the Serenity Prayer …

Imagined FearArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Usually involves negative thinking

Sabotages problem-solving

Is unlikely to improve the odds

Typically represents learned behavior

To change the way you feel, you must change the way you think!

#1 Upshifting Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Identify behaviors you’ve exhibitedwhen situations did not go well and when you were likely downshifted

sighing, defending, stonewalling, arguing, crying, yelling, avoiding, pouting, whining, overreacting, overcomplying, fighting, isolating, overconforming, withdrawing (often related to fear—real or imagined)…

#2 UpshiftingArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Identify factors that have triggered your downshifting in the past so you can be better prepared in the future

Trauma or crisis…

Illness, fatigue, over-work…

What someone said to or about you…

Perceived negative experience…

#3 UpshiftingArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Identify patterns of behavior related to your downshifting

When and/or where?

Appropriate to the situation or not?

Become a “victim” or an “offender?”

Length of time downshifted?

What tends to upshift you?

Your Strategies Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Upshift using a pre-planned strategy

Think of something humorous and choose to laugh

Engage in positive self-talk

Identify something to appreciate (it is physiologically impossible to be fearful and appreciative at the same time)

Exercise (especially cross-lateral)

Strategies, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Visualize yourself in a safe place

Contract with yourself to “deal with it later in the day”

Engage in a task over which you have some control

Sing, meditate, pray, recite a mantra

Access your support system

CaveatsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Develop strategies to prevent unnecessary downshifting, identify when your brain is downshifted, and get upshifted quickly

If communication is not going well with another brain, think “downshifting”

You cannot upshift another brain (even if your behavior triggered the downshifting) – you may be able to help the other brain feel safer so it can upshift on its own