Why do emotions have so much power over our brain? Understand how they work
Our emotions are like an inner compass. They guide us, they report when something is right or wrong and help us decide if we should start, change or put an end to an action. They are powerful allies, but sometimes they can also take care of our mind so intensely that they are removed from the axis.
During the day, we hear a multitude of almost unnoticed emotions. However, there are three in particular that have the power to “master” our brain, deactivating the rational part and leading us to impulsive reactions (which are often followed by regret).
How do emotions dominate the brain?
It is important to emphasize that these emotions are not “bad”. They exist for one reason, they are part of our biology and evolutionary history. The problem appears when they take control for too long. When this happens, we leave the conscious control and enter the emotional pilot so called. The thinking part of the brain (i.e. the prefrontal cortex) is offline. Who assumes that the steering wheel is the limbic system, our center of emotions.
Some characteristics are common to these emotions: restricted focus (i.e. attention is totally blocked in what caused it); Intense internal pressure (when an almost uncontrollable impulse arises to act, react or get rid of that feeling); and misalignment with our priorities.
What are these emotions?
1. Fear
When the brain perceives a threat – real or imaginary – shoots the mode of struggle or escape. Attention is reduced, the heart accelerates and the mind becomes empty. Fear prepares us to survive, but in modern life this can mean avoiding difficult conversations, postponing projects or even escaping situations that could actually be an opportunity.
2. Anger
Anger rises when we felt he was unresolved, wrong or offended. Our brain focuses on the “transgressor” and triggers an almost immediate push to defend itself, often attacking. It is that feeling of boiling blood, acute words that come out without filter and impulsive actions that often leave traces of repentance. It is interesting to note that this anger can also be directed to ourselves, in the form of cars -assistance and car -ritic car.
3. Lust
Unlike fear and anger, which become hard, lust is stealthy. Don’t shout, seduce. And it’s not just about sexual desire. It also includes the fixation, obsessions and the search for compulsive prizes. In practice, lust can lead us to idealize people, ignore clear warning signals or make impulsive choices that compromise our values, all in the name of a momentary pleasure. The brain enters “immediate gratification” mode and the long -term objectives simply disappear from our conscience.
How to recover control?
The key is not to suppress these emotions, but learn to regulate them. This begins with three simple but powerful passages:
- Realize what you are feeling: appoint the emotion of already active parts of the brain responsible for the car -Controll;
- Breathe and slow down: deep breaths help to reduce the activation of the stress system;
- Ask yourself “What really matters to me right now?” This helps to reconnect your behavior to your values.
This ability is called emotional regulation. It is like a superpower that we can develop. It is she who allows you to choose conscious actions, in line with who we are and what we want to build with, even when emotions want to pull us towards the automatic. Learning to listen to these emotions, understanding your signs and choosing how to act is one of the greatest forms of cars -cura and emotional intelligence that we can cultivate in life.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
