Episode 14: Emotional Rescue: How to Disarm (or Disalarm) the Amygdala Hijack
If you’ve ever wondered why you “lost your head” at a moment when you felt mentally threatened, wonder no more: this episode shares what most likely happened.
Two tiny organelles deep in your limbic system – the amygdalae – are the powerful products of countless fights and flights that led to your ancestors’ survival, and thus to YOU.
Yet their idea of survival belongs to a far more ancient reality than the one we navigate today. Only problem: they haven’t gotten the memo.
But you can. This episode explores how become proactive – so much better than reactive – as you manage your amygdalae, even a little, so they are not the boss of you.
THE H.E.A.R.T.S. Model
You are vastly more “hijackable” when you are…
Hungry: less fuel for the brain and especially for the PFC
Empty: drained emotionally, spiritually, or in connection to others
Angry: pre-triggered by something else
Rushed: in a hurry, under time pressure, facing a deadline, or overwhelmed with “too much to do”
Tired: feeling fatigue or having had too little sleep
Stressed: preoccupied or “taxed” by other factors
Manage these conditions and you are much more likely to be able to manage mental threats that lead to getting hijacked.
Here’s an excellent resource on some other F-words (and what to do about them):
Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn: How We Respond to Threats.
Screen capture from Jason Preston, Dent Conference co-founder, VC, and life partner to political bridge builder Mónica Guzmán, as they attended the 2023 Braver Angels gathering. Excellent tips for “disarming” the potential to get hijacked.
Avoid interrupting or having side conversations.
Listen to LISTEN, instead of listening to respond (or more likely react. How often do we formulate our answers before we really understand the questions?
Critique the perspective, not the person.
Participants (individuals) don’t necessarily represent or speak for entire groups they belong to.
(Kind of like they told us in kindergarten, right?)
“There is perhaps no psychological skill more fundamental than resisting impulse.
It is the root of all emotional self-control, since all emotions, by their very nature, lead to one or another impulse to act.”
― Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence
Interested in the early origins of life, and thus of our emotional responses? Explore these:
Smithsonian / National Museum of Natural History: Early Life on Earth; Animal Origins
Astrobiology at NASA / Life in the Universe: How did Multicellular Life Evolve?
And to learn more about both the amygdala and that hijack:
Amygdala Hijack: How it Works, Signs, and How to Cope
Amygdala Hijack: When Emotion Takes Over
Here’s a National Geographic study on the impact of nature on calm and well being: Nature Really is Good Medicine. Science Can Explain Why
Thank you and more to come.
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Best, Ellen
ellen@thebrainandbeyond.com
I hope you enjoy the music I’ve arranged with artist Lucia Lilikoi to share on my podcast.
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