The final and most sophisticated layer of our brain is the cortex. The second part of brain development is the limbic system this is responsible for sensing and feeling (eg., I see something threatening and I feel fear).

Like keeping our breathing, heart rate and temperature within a healthy range. The first, and most basic part of our brain is the brain stem this deals with basic physiological processes So, just like we need to do regular weightlifting if we want our muscles to grow and become stronger, for our brain to develop and become more functional, we need to give it a regular workout. An emerging observation from brain science is ‘neuro plasticity’, meaning that the brain is malleable throughout our life. Like anything in life we want to become better at, we need regular practice.

These practices form part of an emotion regulation toolkit that can help us respond skilfully to the various challenges life throws at us. Brain Gym is designed as a guided self-help course where we will introduce tried and tested practices to bring some perspective and balance to our thinking and dampen overwhelming emotions. We will then explore the role of attention, breathing, imagery, the body, and the relationship we have with ourselves and people around us in fostering good mental health. We will look at how the brain generates thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, pleasant and unpleasant. The aim of Brain Gym is twofold firstly, to help you better understand your thoughts and feelings, and secondly to strengthen your ability to manage these more skilfully We can be our ‘own worst enemy’ resorting to self-blame, self-criticism and ‘kicking ourselves when we are down’. Sometimes these challenges can feel overwhelming, leading us to feel stuck, low and despairing. Life can often throw up challenges and difficult things can happen to us, as children, young people and adults. You will learn strategies to calm and reassure yourself when feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed, and ultimately be more in control of your emotions. In these pages you will find information to help you better understand the brain and how it affects the way we think, feel and act. (2014).Brain Gym is a model to help understand and regulate your emotions: Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2010.Physical exercise and individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Fixing the mirrors: a feasibility study of the effects of dance movement therapy on young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Impairment in movement skills of children with autistic spectrum disorders. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

Brain gym exercises for kids pdf