BrainWise Changes Behavoirs

Posted On: March 20, 2017

The October post discussed how stress is related to chronic disease and the importance of using BrainWise CPR to prevent and manage problems. Here are two examples from children and teens who have successfully used the 10 Wise Ways as their first response to deal with a range of issues.

BrainWise CPR Problem-Solving Worksheet: Practice Brings Behavior Changes. You may know what the 10 Wise Ways are, but do you apply them to problems? The problem-solving worksheet  is a fast and effective way to use your thinking skills. People have found that going through the steps helps them analyze the problem and come up with a solution. They are surprised to find that it does not take many times using the worksheet before the process becomes automatic, and suddenly they are using Wizard Brain thinking to replace Lizard Brain reacting!

The following story shows the positive consequences of using the worksheet with children. After hearing about the successful handing out of worksheets at another elementary school, the staff of an after school program requested their students fill out the BrainWise problem solving worksheet to address conflicts and other issues. The results were immediate and unexpected. Not only did the students resolve their problems, but they also helped each other fill out the worksheet. The staff found that the worksheet helped children see what they could have done differently, and to realize that the problem could have been prevented if they had used BrainWise skills.

The director said the activity “helped get the BrainWise message across in a more hands-on way,” provided an opportunity for the children to “connect the dots,” and guided them to realize that they do have control over their emotions and can successfully deal with their issues by themselves. This “has been a blessing. Before, the smallest issue would take hours for children to get over, even when the staff thought the issue had been resolved.”

BrainWise CPR Is Successful for Anger Management. Tenille, a teenage mother and high-school sophomore known for her explosive temper, was placed by the school counselor in a BrainWise class. Tenille showed her BrainWise skills when the new girlfriend of the father of her child came to her locker and taunted her. A crowd gathered, expecting a fight. Instead, Tenille closed her locker and walked away. She said that she thought about the consequences of getting into a fight. “I realized that it was not worth getting kicked out of school over a stupid boy.”