IN THIS EPISODE:This episode is the first of a series of foundational pieces we will provide on relational science and building secure relationships.Thank you for checking out the show!!It has a longer than usual monologue at the beginning but then rolls into the normal 3-way conversation. Hey we are just figuring this stuff out. 🙂Main concept – no matter what your history everyone has the capacity to grow secure relationships and improve their sense of security in themselvesThere are three specific structures that affect our sense of well-beingThe prefrontal cortex – functions described in detailThe hippocampusThe amygdalaSuggestion: Two-sided walk if your amygdala is activated.Walk as far as you want and feel angry and self-righteous. When you get ready and turn around, though, you have to spend the walk back considering the opposing perspective. This engages the PFC.Brain plasticity – this is awesome news!Our brain structure is formed by patterns in behavior, but those patterns can be changed.Knowing that your threat system is activated and seeing our own warning signs allows us to work against responding automatically. It gives us choice, responsiveness.Practicing can physically alter the structure of our brain in a way that permanently helps us.Stay tunes for more episodes on attachment and how to build secure relationships Additional resources for this episode:John GottmanThe Seven Principals to Making a Marriage Work… this is one of the basic foundational works from a researcher who is scientifically explaining misery and happiness. for everyone.How to Make Love Last – Gottman. A more recent work by this research team.This is another Gottman work, but this time on parenting. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child… for parents.These and other resources have been collected for you on our Resources page!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.