Dr Raymond Prior on How Your Brain Works and Developing a Mindset for Success
Mar 5, 2024
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Dr. Raymond Prior discusses brain function and mindset for success in golf, covering topics like composure under pressure, resilience, high performance habits, training the mind, impulse control, understanding risk, dealing with anxiety, and dopamine's influence on behavior.
Understanding the distinction between old and young brain responses to stress helps manage emotional reactions effectively.
Excessive cell phone use triggers unearned dopamine release, contributing to increased anxiety levels in modern society.
Enduring discomfort during challenging tasks triggers dopamine release, essential for brain rewiring and long-term learning.
Deep dives
Understanding the Role of the Old Brain in Stress Response
The old brain, which operates automatically and fast, plays a crucial role in our stress response. It is designed to detect threats quickly and prompt a physiological cascade, leading to feelings like nervousness. The old brain's inability to differentiate between real and perceived threats can lead to heightened stress responses, activating the sympathetic nervous system and preparing the body for perceived danger.
Distinguishing Nerves from Anxiety and the Role of the Young Brain
Nervousness primarily stems from the old brain's response to stress, activating the body's fight-or-flight mechanisms. In contrast, anxiety originates from the young brain, projecting future scenarios and uncertainties. Concerns about potential future outcomes can trigger anxiety, leading to a downward spiral of rumination and avoidance behaviors. Understanding this distinction can help individuals navigate their emotional responses more effectively.
Impact of Cell Phones and Social Media on Anxiety Levels
In modern society, the prevalence of anxiety, especially among young individuals, is on the rise. The unearned dopamine release triggered by cell phone use contributes to lower thresholds for anxiety and discomfort. Excessive engagement with social media platforms can intensify feelings of inadequacy and comparison, leading to heightened anxiety and depression. Understanding the neurochemical impact of these behaviors can shed light on strategies to mitigate anxiety in today's digital age.
Benefits of Pushing Past Agitation for Learning
When facing challenges and prescribed difficult drills to learn new skills, sticking with them despite the agitation triggers learning in the brain. The agitation signals the brain to release dopamine, which is essential for triggering the rewiring process during sleep. By enduring the discomfort and not quitting early, individuals provide their brains with the necessary conditions for long-term learning.
The Power of Mind Training and Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity allows our brains to change based on experiences, making it crucial to train the mind for focus and mindfulness. Through mindfulness practices and interactions with thoughts differently, the brain rewires neural pathways, especially during sleep. Engaging in deep practice while altering physical actions prompts brain rewiring, highlighting the importance of high-quality repetitions over quantity.
Dr. Raymond Prior is a Performance Psychologist and is widely regarded by the world's best performers as one of the best minds in the field. His clients include Major Champions, World Champions, Olympic Gold Medalists, Award-winning Coaches and numerous NCAA Champions and All-Americans. He also consults to Grammy Award winners, Oscar winners, Tony and Emmy Award winners.
Dr. Prior joins Mark Immelman to discuss his book - "Golf Beneath the Surface" and to illustrate how the brain works and how you can train your mindset to re-wire your brain.
As Dr. Prior takes you on a whistle-stop tour through the contents of the book, and his area of expertise, he elaborates on the following topics that will help you stack the proverbial mental odds in your favor:
The Old Brain vs The New Brain
Composure Under Pressure
Resilience to Adversity
High Performance Habits
Performance Disruptors, and
Changing the Brain by Training the Mind
He also talks about the Mindset for Success and Impulse Control, Understanding Risk and dealing with Anxiety, and Dopamine and its influence on behavior.
This podcast is also available as a vodcast. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.
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