Clutch

Clutch

You might have experienced how your ride in motion comes to an erratic stop when you press the brakes without using the clutch first. Often, the stoppage might not have been so pleasant at all. The smooth modern day commute would not be possible if clutch were not in existence. In mechanical engineering, clutch is a machine member used to connect the driving shaft to a driven shaft for power transmission so that the driven shaft can be started or stopped at will, without bringing the driver shaft to a halt. The use of clutch is prominent in automobiles, where it is used to change gears without killing the engine.

Clutch can be an equally useful tool to synchronize variable systems in our life as well. Have you ever had a hard time shifting your focus from one thing to another? Well, I struggle a lot.  Perhaps, it is the clutch that is missing from our lives. Clutch in human life is called cognitive shifting which is the ability to adapt our behavior and thoughts according to the situation simultaneously. Consider, you are giving a listening test in which the recording is only played once. You miss a certain question but nevertheless guess the answer. Instead of mulling over the question you missed, cognitive shifting allows you to listen carefully to the questions that are coming ahead so that you will more likely be able to get a good score. It plays an important role in learning and day to day problem solving since it helps capture information from the environment and allows us to respond to the situation effectively by tailoring our actions to the change the situation demands.

Now the question may arise, how do you develop cognitive flexibility? Cognitive flexibility like any other thought process is something which our brain has control of and there are certain ways to improve it. An area of brain known as anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) located in the frontal part is responsible for shifting attention. People who are less flexible cognitively have an overactive ACG. ACG has many serotonergic fibers and people who are firm or stubborn in nature might have deficit of serotonin. Therefore, foods with higher ratio of complex carbohydrates to protein such as chick peas, sweet potatoes, nut butter, and green peas can supplement serotonin. Another way to increase serotonin is by exercising. Working out rejuvenates energy levels, reduces anxiety and provides break from repetitive thought process.

Other ways to develop cognitive flexibility is understanding compulsive thoughts as a passing feeling which perishes on its own. Not every feelings in our lives need to be resolved as the proverb by Lin Yutang suggests, “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials”. Likewise, before saying No to something we must take some time to think about it. So, before responding to something take a deep breath hold it for a moment or two to finally exhale and consider what the best way to answer will be like. Most importantly, you should take some time to ruminate about the last time you were too reluctant to say yes. When we look back at things some time later from a different perspective, it feels that not everything has to do with our approval thus enabling us to set ourselves free while making decisions in the future.

Thank you for your time to read this article. I hope you have a great day ahead. Live, Love, laugh and enjoy :)