Raising Healthy Kid Brains 92. Taming Your Brain's Alarm System: The Amygdala Explained with Anna Housley Juster
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Jan 16, 2025 
Join Anna Housley Juster, a former Sesame Street content director and author of How to Train Your Amygdala, as she delves into the fascinating world of the brain's alarm system. Anna explains the role of the amygdala in threat detection and offers playful strategies for managing anxiety in children. Discover how to integrate mindfulness and breathing exercises into daily routines, and learn the power of short, engaging play sessions. Plus, she shares tips on using stuffed animals for calming practices, turning learning about emotions into a fun game!
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Career Shift Toward Anxiety And Play
- Anna returned to school for a clinical social work degree after seeing rising anxiety in communities.
- That training led her to blend early education, play, and mental health in her practice and book.
Amygdala Is Your Fast-Track Alarm
- The amygdala is the brain's fast-track alarm that protects us but often makes mistakes.
- Recognizing its role increases compassion for ourselves and others when fear is disproportionate.
Sharks Under The Bed Example
- Amy shared her daughter's childhood fear of sharks under the bed that prevented going upstairs.
- The hosts used this to illustrate false threat responses and differences between fast-track fear and rumination.
