Unleashing Your Inner Calm. Strategies for Handling Amygdala Hijacks - FATAL SYSTEM ERROR

In this episode of "Building a Better Geek", Craig and Emmanuella share personal stories of Amygdala Hijacks, what they are, and how to manage them:

- The amygdala is the part of the brain that perceives threats and triggers the "fight, flight, freeze, or fawn" response quickly without context. 

- Amygdala hijack is when the amygdala reacts strongly, overriding logic and reason. 

- Craig shares a story of yelling a profanity when a lift door closed too soon, and the dressing down that followed. Emmanuella shares story of an audience member fainting during a show. 

- As a leader, recognize amygdala hijack and help create psychological safety. Anger is a surface emotion masking deeper feelings of disempowerment, frustration, fear. Dig deeper.

References:

McEwen, B. S., & Gianaros, P. J. (2010). Central role of the brain in stress and adaptation: Links to socioeconomic status, health, and disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186(1), 190-222.

Thayer, J. F., Åhs, F., Fredrikson, M., Sollers III, J. J., & Wager, T. D. (2012). A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies: implications for heart rate variability as a marker of stress and health. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(2), 747-756.