Understanding Anxieties from the Sensory Brain

January 13, 2024

1. Recap: What We’ve Learned So Far Welcome back to Part 5 of "Making Lived Experiences Matter". Let’s briefly revisit what we’ve covered in previous sessions:

• Purpose of the Channel: Our channel is dedicated to making our lived experiences meaningful. Understanding and sharing these experiences is crucial for personal growth.
• Making Sense of Experiences: Before sharing or expressing our experiences, we need to understand them. Our experiences, including thoughts and feelings, are valuable and play a significant role in our mental and physical well-being.
• Mental and Physical Health: We’ve discussed that mental and physical health are interconnected aspects of our body. Without a clear understanding of our health, we risk encountering situations where we feel uncertain or overwhelmed.
• The Cycle of Anxiety: Anxiety begins with uncertainty ("I don’t know"), escalating to feelings of inadequacy or sadness ("I can’t"), and potentially leading to anger and isolation ("I will not"). This cycle highlights the importance of addressing these emotions and releasing them to prevent them from becoming entrenched.

2. Today’s Topic: The Sensory Brain and Anxiety Where Anxiety Comes From Today, we will explore how anxieties originate from our sensory experiences and how they are managed. We will focus on the sensory brain—how it processes information and how imbalances can lead to anxiety. Understanding Sensory Systems

1. Tactile Sensation (Touch):
   • Calming Effect: Touch is one of the first sensations we experience as babies. Being held close or receiving gentle touch can soothe us. For adults, physical touch, such as a comforting hug or a massage, can also be calming.
   • Practical Tips: If you're feeling anxious, increasing tactile stimulation can help. This could involve activities like taking a warm bath, getting a massage, or simply paying attention to skin care. Regularly incorporating these into your routine can help maintain a sense of calm.
2. Vestibular System (Balance):
   • Role in Balance: This system, located in the inner ear, helps us maintain balance and spatial orientation. Movements like rocking or swinging are instinctively soothing, which is why babies calm down when rocked.
   • Practical Tips: To stimulate your vestibular system, try incorporating activities that involve movement. This could include getting up regularly from your desk, taking breaks to walk around, or engaging in activities like swinging or gentle rocking.
3. Proprioceptive System (Pressure):
   • Pressure Sensations: This system involves the sense of pressure in our joints and muscles. Activities like pressing or massaging joints can be calming, similar to how babies respond to gentle pressure during massages.
   • Practical Tips: Increase proprioceptive input by engaging in physical activities that involve resistance, such as lifting weights, stretching, or even simple movements like squatting and standing up.

4. The Impact of Sensory Imbalance

• Anxiety and Sensory Systems: When there’s a lack of proper sensory input, such as reduced tactile or vestibular stimulation, it can lead to feelings of anxiety or imbalance. For instance, prolonged screen time can reduce eye movement and vestibular stimulation, leading to discomfort and anxiety.
• Balancing Sensory Inputs: Incorporate diverse sensory experiences into your daily routine to prevent imbalances. This includes ensuring regular tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive stimulation, as well as managing audiovisual input.

5. Addressing Mental Health Affordability Comment Response: A viewer raised concerns about the cost of therapy and counseling. Here’s how to address this issue:

• Cost of Therapy: While private therapy and counseling can be expensive, there are alternative options. Many hospitals have government-funded mental health services, and free helplines are available in most states.
• Finding Affordable Help: Just as we seek medical care for physical health issues, it’s important to seek mental health support. Look for local resources, community support systems, and NGO services that might offer affordable or free assistance.
• Practical Steps: If accessing professional help is not feasible, start with small, manageable changes in your routine to improve mental well-being. Regular sensory stimulation and self-care practices can make a difference. Reach out to local support networks or online communities if you need additional help.

Conclusion and Next Steps In today’s session, we’ve focused on understanding how sensory systems contribute to anxiety and ways to address imbalances. Next time, we’ll explore how anxieties can stem from the more advanced parts of the brain related to relationships and self-perception. Thank you for watching. Please like, share, and subscribe to stay updated. Remember, managing mental health is an ongoing process. Stay aware, stay connected, and take care of yourselves.