Concentration of Chemicals

Last time, I shared my wife’s experience with snow skiing. During the recent school vacation, we went water skiing. Well, I should qualify that. She went water skiing. I watched. 

Please know that I have tried water skiing. I was able to stand and skid across the water. My brain kept telling me it shouldn’t be happening. Water is one of those substances humans can’t (or shouldn’t) walk on. But I guess if we have enough momentum, anything’s possible.

Anyway, my wife is good at water skiing. Plenty of dopamine gets her up and going. She tried one ski, which she had mastered years ago, and nailed it.

Me? I froze near the water’s edge (much like my wife did on the ski hill) and got no further. Adrenaline was working its magic. No matter what I tried, the dopamine wouldn’t kick in.

And, of course, it won’t. Until we get past the adrenaline ‘rush,’ doing something pleasurable is difficult. 

Imagine how our kids feel when asked to perform a new task. No wonder they fight, run away or freeze up. They can’t explain why. But as responsible adults, it’s up to us to decipher it for them.

We can’t alter the concentration of chemicals causing the responses, but we can change the environment or conditions that affect them.

A quiet word, a time-out, a walk away. Depending on the situation, use any of those or one you’ve used with success. 

Remember, happy brains learn.