Labeling Feelings Helps Your Brain
        Understanding and labeling your emotions isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s a powerful tool for optimizing brain function and well-being.. When we’re having a bad day, conventional tribal knowledge tells us to try not to bottle up our feelings and to find someone who can help us talk through it. In fact, we know that having someone to talk to actually decreases the aging of the brain; but for some people, talking about emotions doesn’t come easily or a support network isn’t always available. A recent study explains what the process of describing emotional responses is actually doing and recommends ways to make it more accessible for those who can’t readily verbalize their feelings.
Brain’s Subconscious Reactions
The brain is a complicated part of the human body and is performing largely out of our control on a subconscious level. That’s great if you’re tackling cognitive performance, but not so great when it’s reacting to a stressful meeting the same way it would react to a threatening snake! A large part of the reactions and emotional reactions we have are still based on just one thing: survival.
               In a study at UCLA, researchers found that naming an emotion successfully de-escalated the survival response that is triggered by seeing an angry face. When participants view pictures of strangers showing negative emotions, the brain’s amygdala region activates. This readies fight-or-flight responses. Think you’re able to control this better than others? Even with images shown too quickly for conscious perception, this activation occurs. It underscores the brain’s remarkable processing capabilities.
Naming Emotions Alters Response
               Naming the emotion shown in the photo altered amygdala response and activation in the brain. This signifies a significant cognitive shift. Assigning a person’s name wasn’t helpful. Describing the emotion toned down amygdala activation significantly. Verbalizing emotions activated a different brain region. This altered participants’ emotional reactions compared to previous experiences.
               Journaling and active listening techniques tap into the same phenomenon, aiding emotional processing. Mirroring enhances interpersonal connection. Understanding brain functions and mindfulness ease the struggle against primal instincts. This facilitates personal growth and development.
Further Reading
University of California – Los Angeles
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