22: Dr. Rick Hanson, How to Grow an Unshakable Core

Feb 14, 2018

“You become what you experience. That’s Mother Nature’s well-intended plan. Back in the Serengeti Plains, that was a feature. But today, it’s a bug.” - Dr. Rick Hanson

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Life is a roller coaster.

With each turn and flip, we’re experiencing new things. We have the choice to internalize these moments as knowledge or mindlessly carry on to the next situation. The one who chooses to absorb the sensations of a conflict will be more prepared for the next time the roller coaster presents those circumstances.

On today’s episode of The MentorBox Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness. Rick has spent years in the positive psychology movement, and his work on resilience is at the forefront of neuroscience and psychology. He specifically helps you make the transition from where you are to who you want to be. Tune in today to transform your self-help habits!

You can order Dr. Rick Hanson’s Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness here

“You have to be on your own side in a muscular sort of way. Otherwise, why would you want to learn, grow, or heal?” - Dr. Rick Hanson

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Points to Keep In Mind

• H.E.A.L. is an acronym to help you navigate the neuropsychology of effecting positive change
• • H: Have, having the experience
  • E: Enriching, helping the experience be big and lasting
  • A: Absorbing, sensitizing the memory-making machinery
  • L: Linking, being aware of two things at once
• Experience-dependent neuroplasticity: the capacity of the nervous system to change
• Studies show that 50% of what medical professionals do isn’t backed by evidence-based research
• Studies show that repeatedly experiencing something shows lasting changes in our brain
• • Existing connections between neurons becoming more sensitive
  • New connections between neurons forming
  • More blood flow in busy regions of your brain
  • New baby neurons being formed and woven into the fabric of your brain
• Epigenetics looks at how our DNA changes from our experiences
• Installation is when hardwire the experience to cause lasting physical change
• A deliberately extended exhale will calm you down by forcing parasympathetic nervous system activity
• Recognize that stressful situations are not life-threatening
• Reach out to others when you feel stress
• Don’t be righteous about your own level of intervention
• You have to be on your own side in a muscular sort of way
• Be mindful of whether your compassion is productive
• Empathy is the ability to experience here what is going on over there
• Resilience is the foundation of self-reliance