The Weekly Reframe: Understanding the Brain's Negativity Bias and the Neuroscience of Love

Supporting you to free your mind so you can live from your heart!

Love isn’t everything. It’s the only thing. 

— Steven C. Hayes

Why Your Brain Has a Negativity Bias: Understanding Threat Detection

I write often about the part of our brain designed to limit us and keep us "safe." You may have heard me call it the "negativity bias" or "monkey mind." This is the part of the brain wired to detect threat and offer constant critique.

I return to this topic so often because I want to normalize it. When we dwell on our more negative thoughts and limiting beliefs, sincerely trying to understand them, we can end up pathologizing them—I did this for a long time. That came to an end when I learned more about how the brain actually works and realized something important: my mind was earnestly and innocently trying to fix something that was never broken.

Hint: it was trying to fix me.

The Neuroscience of Love: How Connection Regulates Your Nervous System

This week I want to highlight the part of our brain that is wired for connection, belonging, and love.

From a neuroscience and energetic perspective, love isn't just an emotion—it's a regulating force. Experiences of love and connection calm the nervous system and bring the prefrontal cortex online, the part of the brain responsible for perspective, creativity, and choice. Love helps us to function and adapt.

Why Love Is Essential for Human Resilience and Survival

Love is the most powerful force in the universe. It's what keeps us going despite the ugliness of the world. Despite the wars, violence, and famine we face as a species, love is the force that helps us move through, adapt, and thrive.

I'm convinced we are still here as a species because of the indomitable human spirit that is infused with love. Despite the violence and upheaval we witness in the world, we are still here because the human nervous system evolved for repair and resilience. Love is what allows us to recover and move forward.

The Neuroscience of Forgiveness: How Resentment Keeps Your Body in Stress

Forgiveness feels like a close cousin to love. When resentment is held, the brain repeatedly activates threat pathways, keeping the body in a state of chronic stress. When you truly forgive someone, you recognize that the person who harmed you is separate from their behavior. The behavior may have caused real harm, but it is not the totality of who they are—even if they can't see that themselves.

Forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened; it's about freeing yourself so you can return to love within your own heart.

Reflection Questions: Cultivating Love and Releasing Resentment as You Enter 2026

As this year winds to a close, gently reflect on your relationship with love:

• Where has your nervous system experienced safety, love, and connection?

• Where might it need more kindness and love—especially from you?

• Is there any resentment you're ready to release, not for anyone else, but for your own well-being so you can slide into 2026 clear, free, and loving?

Moving Forward with Love and Courage in the New Year

My wish for all of us in the coming year is that we continue to courageously follow our heart's and soul's most potent visions, the quiet nudges of the soul, even when the mind protests loudly to the contrary.

We Got This.

Step By Step,

Jessie

P.S. Ready to work with your mind instead of against it? If you're ready to transform your relationship with your inner critic and step into 2026 with more self-compassion and clarity, book your free clarity call and let's explore what's possible together.