4 Easy Neurochemicals Worth Noticing
and how actions can change the balance in the brain.
Ever wonder what the hell is going on with your kids? If it is not chaos, it is like walking on egg shells!
Andrew Fuller (Psychologist and Author) informs, you do not need to be a neuroscientist to understand neurochemistry.
If you are a parent of a tricky teen, take notice of behaviours and consider ways to alter the neurochemical balances of the following 4 super powers…
[1] Dopamine
If dopamine is too low, you may see:
Difficulty focusing
Low motivation
No pride in accomplishments
Lethargic and tired
Uninterested in trying new things
Finding it difficult to shift to a new activity
To increase dopamine:
Participate in activities with repetitive movement (surfing, dancing, swimming, drumming)
Allow/Ask them to help out when solving challenges or problems
Increase social interaction
Offer rewards
Consider dietary supplements of Omega 3 and 6
[2] Cortisol
You as the parent can monitor these behaviours in yourself as well and pick an action to rebalance your whole team – no one will ever know who you were really targeting! Cortisol is now connected to many serious illnesses.
If cortisol is too high, you may see:
Difficulty expressing thoughts
Worried or watchful
Easily upset
Prone to stomach upsets, headaches, weird pains
Overreacting to things
Poor memory
To decrease cortisol:
Reduce sources of stress – cortisol is the stress hormone
Increase family routines and rituals
Increase safety from violence, and ridicule
Avoid excess sugar and increase water
[3] Serotonin
Depression and anxiety are on the rise. Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression. Knowing what normal teenager behaviour is and what is problematic is important. Showing concern about this is showing love.
If serotonin is too low, you may see:
No response to praise
Sadness or depression
Hard to please
Hard to get going in the morning
Uncommunicative, sullen, or consistently grumpy
To increase serotonin:
Increase exercise (any kind)
Give positive feedback
Allow choice, control and a change for responsibility, freedom (some time at home when nothing is expected of them)
Uninterrupted sleep
Avoid artificial sweeteners and caffeine
[4] Adrenaline
Some of us want more and some of us need less – how do we know when too much of a good thing is getting in the way of positive connections with others, loving relationships, and even personal development?
If adrenaline is too high, you may see:
Silly hyper behaviour
Difficulty sleeping
Storms off if upset
More talkative than normal
Lots of busyness without getting anything done
To decrease adrenaline:
Create family routines and rituals (reducing the element of surprise)
Promote belonging, safety, expectation, and security
Respond slowly and promise to ‘deal with it’ after we all cool down
Speak (or lecture) less
Try these routine and activity changes before testing the next steps - a GP can request blood tests for mineral deficiencies, changes in diet can also make a profound difference to behaviour, energy and well being.
If you notice, you are struggling to juggle, manage, or maintain your own relationships and emotional stability, reach out, you are never alone. 0456 162 969.
