, and at work.
The Green Zone Brain
Our brains serve many functions. One of the most important is to ensure our survival. Therefore, our brain is constantly scanning the environment to determine if it is safe or hostile. Are you friend or foe? Can I relax or do I need to be vigilant and on guard?
When we are relaxed and safe, our brains function at a higher capacity. We are then more creative, less reactive, healthier and more willing to collaborate. This is because our brains are being bathed in these feel good chemicals: oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals are associated with resilience, trust, and cooperation. This is the neurological Green Zone.
In contrast, when we are in a hostile environment, the Red Zone, our brain and body are bathed in adrenaline and cortisol. These chemicals are associated with stress, fear and danger. Our focus is on self-preservation, we become stressed and our behaviors become aggressive and defensive. This stressful environment is bad for the brain, bad for the body and bad for business.