How the Brain Works in Change

(source: Kristen Hansen, 2022)

Blood flow to the brain occurs depending on which part of the brain is dominating in a moment. For example if a person is under threat, the blood goes to the amygdala which prepares for 'fight or flight or freeze' response and then the blood flows to the heart, muscles, etc to activate the response. This means that less blood is available to flow to the limbic system (to regulate emotions, etc) and prefrontal cortex (thinking), thus restricting their activities.

Importance of time of day

Time of day when your brain is at its peak, ie 1 of 3 times

- morning (70% of people), or

- afternoon (20%), or

- evening (10%)

Need to know when your brain is at its peak and focus on the change at this time, ie when it is more receptive to new things. It is less effective to engage in change when the brain is not peaking, ie tired

NB Habits, rituals, routines, etc are great ways of saving energy, because the brain does not have to think hard.
(for more details see elsewhere in the Knowledge Base)