How will you infect others?

by Amy Salapski | Apr 8, 2022 | Blog

Last week the world witnessed a public emotional hijacking when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

An emotional hijacking is when your amygdala – the part of the brain that processes emotions – takes over the normal reasoning process.

When the amygdala is activated, it triggers the “fight, flight, or freeze” response.

For example, you’re driving, and you lose control of your car. The fear emotion triggers your amygdala, and you immediately act to regain control. At that moment, you are not weighing your options or making a logical decision.

Your amygdala shuts down your prefrontal cortex’s normal reasoning process to take over and get you out of harm’s way.

This primal response is designed to protect you from danger.

However, it can also result in behaviors that you regret later.

For example, you yell at someone and return later to apologize. Or you send an email that you wish you could undo. The scene at the Oscar ceremony was an extreme example, likely driven by intense emotions.

We’re all human, and this trigger-emotion-reaction chain is part of our biology. It’s also something we can learn to regulate.

Manage Your Stress

Stress is unhealthy for multiple reasons, one of which is your emotional wellbeing. Your body’s chemical response to stress activates your amygdala and prepares your body to fight or flee. Incorporate regular, consistent stress management practices, such as maintaining a sufficient sleep schedule, exercising, taking breaks and time off, and spending time doing relaxing things that you enjoy.

Avoid Alcohol

Having an adult beverage might be a stress-relieving activity for you; however, keep in mind that it also lowers your ability to regulate your emotions. If you’ve been under a lot of stress, you are more likely to experience an amygdala hijacking while under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, drinking in the evening also contributes to poorer sleep quality.

Recognize Your Triggers

Pay attention to the people, situations, and topics that trigger a negative emotional response for you. Once you identify these triggers, develop a strategy to deal with them. For example, I had a difficult relationship with a work colleague. Whenever I saw his name in my email inbox or on my caller ID, I would be triggered in anticipation of a conflict. I adopted a strategy to remind myself of our common goals and recognize that his anger was coming from a place of fear and vulnerability. Once I shifted my perspective to view him with empathy, I would answer the phone or email in a positive tone and with complete control over my emotions.

Emotions are contagious.

The shocking video of the Oscars led to a flurry of negative emotions that consumed the news cycle and social media channels for several days.