Concerns and obsessions

-My psychologist told me I have obsessive symptoms...

-Are you sure?

-I don't know, now I'm doubting...

By Angélica Figueroa Saldaña

The cingulate gyrus is the area of the brain that allows us to change our focus, moving from one idea to another, see the options we have in life, contain the feelings of physical and emotional safety, plus cognitive flexibility, which is the ability of the person to " let go ", adapt to changes easily, to handle problems successfully and do things in different ways, more creative and renewed.

Therefore, when this area of ​​the brain is affected, we tend to worry more, clinging to past ideas, getting stuck in thoughts and behaviors (obsessions), we tend to discuss more, we have eating disorders, anger and driving violence and, in some cases, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

In order to maintain the mind calmed, it's important to be aware of our obsessive thoughts and respond to them differently.

Some recommendations that  Dr. Daniel G. Amen gives ( Change your brain change your life ) are:

Whenever you get stuck, distract yourself and return to the problem later (Sing your favorite songs, listen to music that produces positive feelings, go out and take a walk, focus on a word and do not let it into your head any other thoughts)

Write the problem and possible solutions (1. Write the concern, 2. Make a list of what you can do to solve it, 3.Make a list of what you can not do to solve it)

When you feel blocked , get advice from others.

Food interventions (Eating foods that increase serotonin levels, such as pasta, potatoes, bread, chicken, turkey, salmon, beef, peanut butter, eggs, peas and milk, which are rich in tryptophan)

Exercise (helps calming the concerns and increases cognitive flexibility)