Ice Cream: The way to my heart and head

Ice cream is most certainly a way to my heart. Perhaps you can relate. I still remember the day I had to explain to my now husband why it was necessary to drive across town in college because I NEEDED a Culver’s chocolate custard with hot fudge and raspberry. I’m still not sure he thinks that was necessary, but I most certainly still remember that perfect dish that seems to make everything right in world. I’ve also come to realize how this beloved treat isn’t just a way to the heart, but can be good for your head too.

Years back I was deep in the middle of a really difficult circumstance. While I won’t go into detail because it’s not just my story to share, my world had been flipped upside down, and I was in a bit of shock. Some days, when I had to deal with a piece of the situation more directly, it felt like my brain would go numb and my system shut down. This all-consuming feeling is a lot, and even when you believe you will get out of this and there will be better days to come, those moments feel so isolating.

On one of these particular days, I spoke with my former therapist, and she explained that my brain was having a bit of a shock itself. If you’ve ever experienced a moment that surprised you so much you froze, or maybe had a flashback so reminiscent of a former time that it felt just like it, our brains can do the same thing! Our brains, whether we actually think of specific life moments or not, hold on to an awful lot. So when perhaps a moment in our current life, might line up with an experience that we had long ago, our brain sends off a big ol siren! All systems go!

Now you might be thinking this sounds a bit overwhelming to have your brain not only so intently focused on something, but also in a bit of a state of panic or overdrive. And I can most certainly tell you that it is! But just the same way that being hangry can set in, and our stomach is telling us you better get some food in here quite soon or some not so pleasant things might be said, we’ve got to listen to our brain in these moments too.

So in my particular situation, my therapist challenged me to think of what would feel so comforting to me at a very young age (what she was equating my brain being triggered back to). She suggested ice cream for dinner or coloring. I. Loved. It. The idea of saying “hey, let’s eat ice cream for dinner” sounded like joy. And it’s stuck with me. Something as little as ice cream can help the systems in our brain focus on this joy, be comforted, and basically it’s like the firemen going into the building and saying all clear and turning the alarm off. It may not entirely make the hardship go away, but it moves our brain out of the blaring state of panic. If you’ve ever had to walk out of an apartment building while the alarm was going off you know you can’t think about anything else. So figuring out how we can get the brain back to a more neutral state is important to be able to address whatever triggered the alarm.

These alarms can be set off in many ways… it doesn’t have to be the really large struggles that we know people deal with. It could be an unmet need, maybe the feeling of loneliness, perhaps a whole lot of weight in the lives of the people around you, or that feeling of being a bit stuck. Finding a little way to put a smile on your face, pause and being gentle with your brain heart and body can sometimes be just what you need.

At the opening of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in Houston. Love that the picture says “All for the love of you!”

I encourage you to think of what those occasional little joys are that are in your control that bring you back to a place of comfort. You could do a 99 cent cone in the drive through, or Will and I have always been a fan of going to pick out a Ben and Jerry’s bin. I have a feeling that Jeni’s will now be a special treat here in Houston too. And if you are really in need of a hug, throw some rainbow sprinkles on top too. Those always make me smile.