PressureSprouts

The reason why we remember specific moments [1.1] or movies [1.2] is because they have been stored in our memory under the influence of emotions. [1.3] When we win or fail, cry or celebrate, [2.1] we learn fast, deep and plenty. [2.2] But when we are afraid our brain limits our ability to think, for a good reason. [3]

Fear is an emotion induced when we face a threat to our physical [1.3] or psychological well being. [1.4] It causes a change in brain [2.1] and organ functions [2.2] and ultimately in our behavior [2.3]– first we get stressed or aggressive, then we are left with three final ways out: freeze [3.1], fight [3.2] or flight [3.3].

The reason for this is evolution. Over the last million years, we learn that when we meet a dangerous animal, we better freeze, fight or run and hide. To save our life this is now programmed in our genes. But something else happens.

When it gets dangerous a specific region of our brain, [1.2] the Amygdala, takes over. [2] Its job is to protect us and save our life. [3] To act fast it refrains us from thinking and leaves us only with those three options. [4] This makes creative and critical thought processes impossible. [5]

High pressure triggers a similar response. [1] In one experiment, German neuroscientist Prof. Dr. Hüther measured the brain function of young men playing a car racing game. [2] The race was on and the men eager to win. [3] When the researchers later looked at the scans of the brain they saw shockingly little activity.[4] In fact, the young men hardly used their brains at all and they certainly didn’t remembered much. [5]

Later the researchers repeated the experiment. This time they did not play the game themselves but just watched from inside the car sitting next to the driver. [1] Instead of focusing to win, they focused on a lot of other things: driving behavior, [2] the race track,[3] other cars. [4] This time the brains showed lots of activity.[5] Learning happened and memories were created. [6]

The scientists concluded that when we panic at a math exam or when a salesmen fears to miss his monthly target, it can create a tunnel vision.[1] Then our vision field becomes smaller, our learning limited and we cannot find the road to success. [2]

Next time when you are stressed to perform or when you panic during an exam, try this quick fix. [1] First slowly breath in through your nose. To do it slow enough, count from one to five. Then breath out through your mouth, again counting to five. [2] Repeat that for 1-5 minutes and your body will relax and your brain can switch from protection back to a learning mode. [3]

What is your personal experience? Do you think we should apply pressure and push for a goal in order to maximize our learning? [1] Or do you think we should free our minds from pressure and goals? [2] Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks for watching![1] Even if we try to keep it short, each video is quite some work. [2] First we research and write a script. [3] Then we brainstorm ideas. [4] And after that we draw the storybook. [5] Then it's recorded, [6] narrated and [7] finally edited. [8] If you want to support us to make more videos on Learning and Education, visit Patreon.com/Sprouts [9]