Self-Awareness

August 12, 2025

The Neuroscience of Knowing Yourself

What if I told you there’s a part of your brain that’s quietly thinking about you all the time that is your memories, your feelings, your place in this world? Would you want to know how it works?

That’s what self-awareness really is. It’s not just a popular term; it’s a powerful brain function that connects how you see, feel, remember, and decide.

Whether you’re new to the mind or already curious about the science behind it, understanding self-awareness can open doors to healing, growth, and true resilience.

What Is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is the gentle art of paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, body signals, and choices as they unfold. Think of it as a mirror for your inner world that shows you:

What you’re experiencing (like “I feel nervous”)
Why it might be happening (“I’m nervous because of that upcoming job interview”)
How your feelings change what you do (“My nerves make me speak fast”)

Neuroscience tells us this comes from some very special parts of the brain:

The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) which helps you think deeply, make decisions, and control your reactions
The Insular Cortex that lets you feel what’s going on inside your body, like your heartbeat or breath
The Default Mode Network (DMN) which activates when you think about yourself, your past, or your future

Why Does Self-Awareness Matter

Because self-awareness is the foundation for mental and emotional health. When you tune in, you can:
• Spot stress before it takes over
• Make better choices by understanding your triggers
• Build emotional strength to bounce back from challenges
• Connect with others with more empathy and clarity

And science shows when self-awareness is low, it can be linked to struggles like anxiety, depression, and other health issues.

How To Build Your Self-Awareness

The beautiful thing about self-awareness is that it isn’t fixed. It’s a skill you can nurture and deepen at any stage of life. Science shows there are simple, powerful ways to do this:

• Mindfulness meditation: Practice noticing thoughts and feelings without jumping into them. Over time, meditation even changes your brain, thickening parts linked to self-awareness and emotion.

• Journaling: Writing your thoughts down activates parts of your brain that help you understand yourself better.

• Biofeedback and body awareness: Learning to regulate your breath and heart rate sharpens the brain’s ability to sense your body.

• Seeking feedback: Getting honest input from others helps you see yourself more clearly.

• CBT techniques: Identifying and changing automatic thoughts improves how you watch your own thinking.

Your Simple Takeaway

Think of your brain like a complex machine running on autopilot. Self-awareness is the dashboard that lets you see the controls so you can make real, conscious choices.

That’s why, at Wellness With Her, we created the August worksheet, your guide to tuning in to your thoughts, feelings, and body so you can take charge of your inner world with confidence.