The Meltdown Before the Morning Routine: The Science of Staying Calm When Your Kids Aren’t

Описание: Ever feel like your brain literally "unplugs" the moment a morning tantrum starts? In this episode, we dive deep into the neurobiology of stress with Amanda Armstrong. We explore the "Goldilocks Zone" of the brain and why your prefrontal cortex—the home of logic and patience—shuts down during high-stress moments. Amanda shares her personal journey from PTSD and brain injury to finding emotional regulation, offering a compassionate look at why we "flip our lids" and how we can find our way back.

You’ll walk away with three evidence-based "resets" that take less than 60 seconds to reconnect your thinking brain, allowing you to move from reactive shouting to calm co-regulation.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Neurochemistry of Stress: How Norepinephrine and Dopamine affect your ability to stay focused under pressure.
• The Hand Model of the Brain: A simple way to understand why logic fails when emotions take over.
• 3 Practical Resets: Step-by-step instructions for the Physiological Sigh, Cold Water Shock, and the "Name it to Tame it" technique.
• The Power of Co-Regulation: Why your calm is the most powerful tool for your child's development.

Featured Resource:
Ready to dive deeper into these strategies? Check out our course, Supporting Emotional Intelligence at Home, designed to help you create a more regulated and connected family environment.
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⚠️Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared is based on general parenting experiences and research and is not intended as medical, psychological, or professional advice. Every family and parenting situation is unique, so please consider what works best for you and consult a qualified professional if you need personalized support. The creator is not responsible for any decisions made based on this content.


References

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Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). "Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function." Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

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CSSA Berkeley. (2024, April 19). CCSC 2024 | Timothy Lomas (Keynote) [Video]. YouTube.    • CCSC 21 | Amy Arnsten -  The Effects of St...  

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Firestone, L. (2022, February 23). Name it to tame it: The emotions underlying your triggers. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/bl...

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Porges, S. W. (2011). "The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation."

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Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2011). "The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind."

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Stanford Lifestyle Medicine. (2024, May 14). Jumping into the ice bath trend: Mental health benefits of cold water immersion. https://lifestylemedicine.stanford.ed...

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Vlemincx, E., Vam Diest, I., &  Van den Bergh, O. (2016).  A sigh of relief or a sigh to relieve: The psychological and physiological relief effect of deep breaths. Physiology and Behavior, 165, 127-135.