Neurofeedback and Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month and here at the BrainCollective a core element of our work focusses on optimising brain health and improving resilience in an ever increasingly demanding world. We know that chronic exposure to stress results in burnout at any age.
Commonly people believe that stress and burnout can be resolved by simply taking a break or reducing your workload but unfortunately it isn’t as simple as this. 91% of adults in the UK have reported experiencing high levels of stress in the past year. According to Mental Health UK one in five people have needed time off work due to mental health issues linked to stress.
Neuroscience has taught us that stress and burnout results in actual changes in both the brain and the body so it’s not just about simply taking time off.
Stress and burnout are not just a sign of extreme fatigue and overwhelm, it is actually a fundamental breakdown in the body’s ability to self-regulate which results in a persistent state of overdrive, hyper vigilance and fight and flight response.
This is because of the physical changes which happen in specific parts of the brain and understanding this can help us to implement strategies for resolution and improved resilience.
The Amygdala, the brain’s fear centre, is hyperactive and in constant state of alert. The Pre-frontal Cortex, the brakes on our system, no longer works effectively, making us feel overwhelmed by simple tasks.
The Autonomic Nervous System, which runs our body below conscious control, gets stuck in a state of fight and flight and in extreme cases, total freeze, leaving us totally incapacitated.
The Mitochondria, the powerhouse or ‘battery’ of every cell in our body, become drained and unable to recharge efficiently.
This explains why simply removing the stress or taking a break don’t resolve the problem and intentional action is required to achieve resolution.
Lifestyle habits are key – everyone can action these for themselves and they are the fundamental pillars for a healthy brain and body:
1. Prioritising sleep enables the natural detoxification processes in the brain to effectively flush out the metabolic waste and toxins, recharge our battery and process emotions.
2. Regular gentle physical exercise, especially when it involves bringing attention to the breath, reduces stress hormones, and activates the Parasympathetic, ‘rest and digest’ part of the Autonomic Nervous System, and promotes our sense of safety in the world. This promotes our ability to regulate better in stressful situations.

3. A healthy diet, rich in Omega 3’s, Vitamin D, Magnesium and the B vitamins ensure that the enzymes involved in energy production work effectively.

4. Positive social connection with people you trust boosts the levels of Oxytocin and provides the support we need to feel safe and supported and reduce the feeling of overwhelm.

However, sometimes people need a helping hand to get back on track.
Here at the BrainCollective, we use a range of therapies, all of which are based on robust neuroscientific principles:

1. The Safe and Sound Protocol is an auditory listening programme based on the Polyvagal theory. This programme facilitates regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System by enhancing the ventral vagal pathway of connection, safety and co- regulation.

2. Vielight Near Infra-Red Photo biomodulation is a headset pulsing NIR to energise the mitochondria in the brain’s major networks. This can be pulsed in both the Alpha frequency of 10 Hz to promote calming of the nervous system and the Gamma frequency of 40Hz to activate, energise and reduce inflammation in the brain.

3. Biofeedback strategies, specifically EEG Neurofeedback is a non-invasive way to optimise brain function and help the brain to calm, regulate, stabilise and improve resilience in the longer term.

Building a positive, safe and supportive therapeutic environment is a fundamental priority, despite this being a technological approach.