Cognitive Override

Healthy Survivors (1) obtain sound knowledge, (2) find and nourish hope and (3) take effective action.

As a physician, I'm fascinated by the ways patients overcome the many obstacles to acting on sound knowledge in life-enhancing ways.

For example, why can only some people eat a healthful diet, resist junk food, comply with a regular exercise program, quit smoking cigarettes or refrain from texting while driving?

It has something to do with "cognitive override," by which I mean patients use their rationality -- their intellectual strength -- to make decisions and take action that are in their best interest, even when their emotions are pushing them away from these decisions and actions. Healthy Survivors use cognitive override all the time.

In her book on Healing Walks, Kortge uses this term -- cognitive override -- when talking about mindfulness while walking. She says, "each time you take a walk, you demonstrate your intention to survive. You may not know where life will lead you next, or what path you'll travel, but you do know how to take one step at a time. ...Each step reawakens the will to live and the strength to move on."  

A period of mindfulness while doing otherwise boring or uncomfortable usual activities -- such as walking, washing dishes or ironing --  may be a useful tool to help Healthy Survivors take proper action.

Comments

[Roz]

Happy Thanksgiving, Wendy! Here's hoping for a wonderful day and year for you and your family.

[Carolyn Scott Kortge]

Don't you just love the term, "cognitive override?" It delights me with its positive twist on "will power." I love knowing that my brain can HELP me achieve my goals, even when my body is feeling defeated, or worn out. When I find my brain fretting and worrying or complaining, "cognitive override" reminds me that I am at choice about many actions or decisions or attitudes, and that's a powerful step forward in survival.
Carolyn Scott Kortge, "Healing Walks for Hard Times"