The question of free will is debatable. On one hand, we are able to make choices and freely act on them -if we fancy some crisps, we can choose to buy a packet and eat them. Or we can choose to eat a pastry or nothing at all. This certainly feels like free will. On the other hand, neuroscience evidence clearly shows that the brain usually initiates our actions before we’re aware of them - our brain’s primary task is to regulate the body systems to keep us alive and well. However, our brain spends its days locked in a dark, silent box with no direct access to what’s going on outside.

Free Will or Influenced

How does your brain figure out the causes of sense data, so that it prepares the best actions? Without direct access to those causes, your brain has to guess. And so, in every moment, your brain remembers past experiences that are similar to your present circumstances, to guess what might happen in the next moment, so it can prepare your body’s next action.

How Does Our Brain Prepare Us For the Best Action?

I have always been fascinated about the brain 🧠 and how it influences our daily living - communication, thoughts, daily routines, etc. 

It's a hotly debated topic, but the way our brains work can give us some insight.

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Personal Development

health

Health

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Problem Solving

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Science & Nature

Neuroscience says there’s no such thing as free will. A psychologist explains why that might not be true

The COVID-19 pandemic has probably frayed your sense of resilience. This is understandable as our minds are consumed by the spread of the virus and its impact on our health, loved ones, home, not to mention our work or employment status, and the abrupt transition to working from home or e-learning — we need to maintain our own mental health and well-being. This can be done by:<ol><li>Managing Expectations</li><li>Managing Stress Threshold</li><li>Knowing your Red Flags</li><li>Having a Routine</li><li>Being Compassionate</li><li>Maintaining Connections</li><li>Staying in the Present Moment</li></ol>

Maintaining mental health and well-being during the pandemic

Feeling overwhelmed by a lockdown and the need to suddenly adopt e-learning? Keep connected and compassionate, says clinical psychologist Desiree Dickerson.

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Mental Health

Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak

Deep breathing encourages full oxygen exchange, slows the heartbeat and lowers/stabilizes blood pressure. This is specifically so when we engage our abdomen in our breathing practice. Steps for Deep Breathing Practice: <ol><li>Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down. </li><li>Take a normal breath. Then try a deep breath. </li><li>Breathe in slowly through your nose, allowing your chest and lower belly to rise as you fill your lungs. Let your abdomen expand fully. </li><li>Now breathe out slowly through your mouth (or your nose, if that feels more natural).</li></ol>

Deep Breathing Practice

Relaxation techniques - such as deep breathing - can help control stress and the "fight or flight" response that can interfere with everyday life.

Neuroscience says there’s no such thing as free will. A psychologist explains why that might not be true

Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak

Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response - Harvard Health

Sri Dorai