Smart Part: The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with language, intelligence, self-regulation, and executive functioning. Students want their smart parts "on" when they are at school, on a stage, or playing with a friend.
Lizard Brain: We use the term "lizard brain" to refer to the lower centers of the brain, such as the limbic system, that are part of the stress response. We use "
Bob" to personify what our brains are like when the stress response turns on: focused on safety, reactive, and unable to use higher brain functions, such as language, clear thinking, and problems solving.
Stress Response: The stress response is designed to keep us physically safe by increasing our ability to fight a foe, flee from danger, or freeze to avoid detection from a predator. When the body detects life-threatening danger, the stress response turns on, increasing our physical strength, vision, and hearing while shutting down non-essential systems, such as digestion, reproduction, and immunity. This remarkable, life-saving response evolved for coping with physical threats to safety. Unfortunately, our brains turn on the same response whether we are experiencing a physical or psychological threat. Whereas a physical threat usually ends within 20 minutes, psychological stress can go on for days, resulting in numerous physical and mental health issues.
Relaxation Response: The physiological opposite of the stress response, the relaxation response is a separate response that turns off the stress response, relaxing the body and turning back on non-emergency body functions.
Flipping Your Lid: When the stress response turns on.
Putting Your Lid On: Turning on the relaxation response and bringing the prefrontal cortex back online.