What Are We Going to Do Tonight, Brain? NARF! | Praise Podcast

Listen now | Today's episode discusses a new study from UC Berkeley looking at the effect of self-care on the brain. Tune in!

This episode mentions "Five Positive Prompts to Counter Negative Self-Talk."

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00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 Today's episode discusses a new study from UC Berkeley looking at the effect of self-care on the brain.

00:00:07 --> 00:00:07 Tune in!

00:00:11 --> 00:00:19 Hello and welcome to MoMo634, the daily podcast chock-full of faith-filled inspiration and motivation.

00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 MoMo634, motivational moments just for today.

00:00:42 --> 00:00:58 Shortly after our marriage, my husband and I discovered the joys of Animaniacs, an animated series along the lines of Bugs Bunny, with the low-brow slapstick humor, yet a very sophisticated and funny top-line humor to it.

00:00:59 --> 00:01:07 The show featured vignettes featuring the Warner siblings and a zany cast of characters, including Pinky and the Brain.

00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 They were lab rats constantly contemplating world domination.

00:01:13 --> 00:01:24 Every single day, Pinky, whose signature line was the nonsensical expression, NARF, asked, What are we going to do tonight, Brain?

00:01:25 --> 00:01:30 To which the answer was always, The same thing we do every night, Pinky.

00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 Try to take over the world.

00:01:34 --> 00:01:51 It just so happened that yesterday, after releasing the episode on proper care and feeding of the brain, I came across a story on my newsfeed touting a new study from UC Berkeley about the power of what they term self-compassion in the form of affirmations.

00:01:52 --> 00:02:01 I talk about affirmations of a sort in the episode Five Positive Prompts to Counter Negative Self-Talk.

00:02:02 --> 00:02:11 Since this is a faith-based podcast, I shared some wonderful verses from God's Word for difficult moments when self-doubt creeps in.

00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 The UC Berkeley study followed 135 college students.

00:02:18 --> 00:02:26 One group practiced daily self-compassion by saying affirming things to themselves for 20 seconds per day for a month.

00:02:27 --> 00:02:42 The study's co-author and psychology researcher at the noted university, Eli Susman, said that, quote, this practice involved placing your hands over your heart and belly while thinking kind thoughts to yourself, end quote.

00:02:43 --> 00:02:52 While this study represents an initial finding, warranting more study given what appears to be a link, the upshot, according to the researchers,

00:02:52 --> 00:03:01 was greater self-compassion, emotional well-being, and reduced stress in college students compared to a control group.

00:03:02 --> 00:03:07 That said, it only goes to show what we've said on this podcast a number of times.

00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 Philippians 4.8 gives a list of positive things to dwell on.

00:03:14 --> 00:03:19 A rough paraphrase of our verse in Proverbs from yesterday's episode said we are what we think.

00:03:20 --> 00:03:27 I've linked the episode with positive prompts to counter negative thoughts here on Substack below this episode.

00:03:29 --> 00:03:42 Even though it's not necessary because, to quote the old expression, if God says it, I believe it, it's lovely when the world of science dovetails to confirm what those of us who love God have known all along.

00:03:44 --> 00:03:50 Our meme for today says, treat everyone with kindness, including yourself.

00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Now, go be good to yourself.

00:03:54 --> 00:03:54 NARF!

00:03:59 --> 00:04:04 Thanks for listening to MoMo634, Motivational Moments, just for today.

00:04:05 --> 00:04:14 If you enjoyed it, please subscribe, give it a like or review, tell a friend, and follow along on social media or your favorite podcast platform.

00:04:14 --> 00:04:18 To have episodes mailed to you, subscribe at momo634.substack.com.

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