Have you ever felt afraid or worried about something, even though nothing scary or dangerous was actually happening? You’re not alone! Sometimes, your brain can feel like it’s playing tricks on you—making you feel stressed or anxious for no clear reason. But here’s the surprising part: your brain is actually trying to protect you. It just doesn’t always get it right.
Your Amazing Brain: The Feeling Brain vs. The Thinking Brain
Your brain is a powerful tool with many parts working together to help you walk, talk, eat, and, yes, even feel. Two key players in this process are your Feeling Brain and your Thinking Brain. Understanding how these parts work can help you handle those moments when anxiety strikes.
- The Feeling Brain: Think of this part of your brain like a loyal guard dog. It’s fast, reactive, and always on alert. Its job is to notice potential danger and bark out warnings.
- The Thinking Brain: This is the more thoughtful and logical part of your brain. It takes a step back, examines the situation, and determines whether the guard dog’s warning is valid or just a false alarm.
Sometimes, your guard dog can overreact. It might bark at the “mailman”—things that are completely safe but seem threatening at first glance. For example, your guard dog might mistake a curvy tree branch for a snake. It’s only when your Thinking Brain steps in that you realize, “Oh, that’s not a snake. It’s just a branch!”
When the Guard Dog Gets It Wrong
Your guard dog’s job is important. It helps protect you from danger. But in today’s world, we’re not constantly facing life-threatening situations like wild animals or poisonous plants. Instead, your guard dog might misinterpret everyday events, like a friend’s birthday party or speaking up in class, as something dangerous.
These are called false alarms. Even though nothing is actually wrong, the barking can make you feel anxious, stressed, or uncomfortable.
Training Your Guard Dog
The good news? Your guard dog is trainable! Just like a real dog, it can learn to tell the difference between real danger and situations that are completely safe. The first step is to recognize when your guard dog is barking at a false alarm.
Here’s an example: Imagine you see a strange tree with curvy branches. Your Feeling Brain might immediately think, “Snake! Danger!” But when your Thinking Brain takes a closer look, it realizes, “That’s not a snake. It’s just a funny-looking branch.” Your guard dog might bark at first, but with practice, it can learn to stay calm in situations like these.
Why This Matters
When your guard dog learns to quiet down and recognize false alarms, you’ll feel more calm and in control. Instead of feeling anxious or scared, you’ll be free to enjoy life and do the things you love most. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, climbing a tree, or simply relaxing, a well-trained guard dog helps you face your fears and find your courage.
Ready to Start Training?
In this activity, you’ll practice training your guard dog to better recognize true danger versus false alarms. By teaching your Feeling Brain and Thinking Brain to work together, you’ll build the skills to overcome anxiety and step into life with confidence.
Your guard dog is here to protect you—and with the right training, it can also help you feel safe, strong, and ready to take on the world!
