In The Whole Brain Child, Dr. Dan Siegel tells us:
“There are studies that everybody should know about. That I summarize with the phrase ‘name it to tame it.'”
The “Name It to Tame It” strategy is part of a larger framework Dr. Siegel discusses in his works on mindfulness and neurobiology. The idea is that when we experience intense emotions, the act of naming these emotions engages the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain associated with reasoning and control—and helps regulate the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional responses. This process can reduce the intensity of the emotional experience and help us manage our reactions more effectively.
If you are agitated, frightened, upset, or angry, labeling your emotions can help you tame them. This is a common practice in our house.
