The Power of EQ— How to tap into it Part 1 Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Brain References thebrain@arlenetaylor.org

Brain Benders Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org L I M O   WATCH US ELBUMEORT THER _ O R D E N A T S EYE EHCA DAEH TIETIETIE

EQ Working Definition Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Emotional Intelligence involves the ability to know what feels good, what feels bad, and how to get from bad to good in a way that results in positive outcomes EQ is not emotions or feelings; it does involve both of them, however, as components

Emotions and Feelings Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Emotions and feelings are often ignored, misidentified, misread, or mismanaged, usually to the detriment of all concerned You can jump-start raising your EQ when you understand the difference between emotions and feelings—biochemically different states—and learn to manage both effectively

Brain and Emotions Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc No dedicated emotion center Emotions arise simultaneously in brain and body cells — emotional impulses arise in the 2nd brain layer When in the grip of a strong emotion, you are in a biochemically-altered state 6

Emotions Definition Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Emotions are cellular signals that can be triggered by an internal (your thoughts) or external (environment) stimulus Both the brain and body are part of the subconscious, faithfully recording and reporting chemical processes that enter our conscious awareness only as we recognize them as emotions Candace Pert, PhD

All the World’s a Stage . . . Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc So is your brain and you are on stage all the time Core emotions are the actors, moving on and off stage one at a time from the wings A specific neuropeptide (neurotransmitter than affects moods) may be associated with each emotion so you can experience only one core emotion at a time (they can alternate rapidly)  Candace Pert, PhD 8

Role of Emotions Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org To connect the conscious with the subconscious 2. To get your attention and provide you with pertinent information 3. To give you energy To motivate you to take appropriate action

Clock Metaphor Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without an energy source, the hands of a clock would fail to move You would be “motionless” without emotions to give you information and energy You can experience each emotion and receive the information it provides without emoting (e.g., giving expression to it or taking any action) 10

Physiological Changes Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Each emotion exhibits differing gestures, postures, behavioral patterns, memories, and facial expressions They create similar physiological markers that involve a wide range of bodily changes (e.g., rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, stomach butterflies, flushed or pale face, changes in breathing, triggering secretion of hormones and neuropeptides)

All Positive Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc All emotions are positive and some are also protective—each designed to help you become aware of specific sensory stimuli and to manage specific situations appropriately Behaviors related to emotions are often mismanaged, resulting in negative outcomes

Core Emotions Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Clear scientific evidence exists that facial expressions registering at least joy, anger, fear, and sadness are inborn and may be seen on the face of a fetus during gestation Emotions Staircase

Euphoria Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Euphoria (awe, elation) is a signal that something very pleasurable or exciting is happening Provides energy to experience special moments of joy at an intense level—–not designed to be sustained for a long time

Euphoria, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without euphoria you may miss or under-appreciate special moments, and your life may lack appropriate spice and excitement When unmanaged, euphoria can lead to a search for activities that provide a continual high (e.g., addictive behaviors) through direct or indirect self-medication that alters your neurochemistry

Joy (Contentment) Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Joy is a natural state of anti-depression hard wired into the brain; a signal that life is basically going well Provides energy to live life to its fullness—the only emotion that doesn’t result in negative outcomes when maintained over time

Joy, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without joy you may be unable to become the balanced, contented, productive individual you were intended to be Pseudo joy or false joy can lead to obsessions, compulsions, addictions, a sense of unreality, frustration, illness, and even depression

Anger Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Anger signals that your boundaries have been invaded (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual, social, financial…) Anger provides energy to create and implement appropriate personal limits

Anger, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without anger you may lack motivation to take needed corrective action, or may begin to tolerate the intolerable Unmanaged anger can lead to bitterness, illness, injury, and even death

Fear (Real or Imagined) Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Fear is a signal that you are in some type of danger (unless it is imagined fear) Fear provides energy to take appropriate protective action for you and/or for others

Fear, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without fear you may be unable to protect yourself or your loved ones adequately Unmanaged fear (real or imagined) can downshift the brain, kill ideas, undermine confidence, and escalate into phobias and/or immobilization

Sadness Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Sadness is a signal that you have experienced some type of loss Sadness provides energy to grieve losses, heal past woundedness, and recover (feel better)

Sadness, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Without sadness you may fail to recover from your losses and/or grieve successfully When unmanaged, sadness can suppress immune system function, may decrease levels of serotonin, and can lead to depression and/or immobility (apathy)

Apathy Is An Overwhelm Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Mismanaged emotions can result in emotional overwhelm that can, in turn, lead to a state of apathy People rarely commit suicide when in a state of apathy – they don’t have enough energy!

Separate Systems Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Emotions and feelings are are mediated by two distinct neuronal systems in the brain —The Lancet Neurology, March 2004 When an emotion arises, the brain tries to explain what just happened and creates an interpretation (feeling) of what the emotion means—you create your own feelings

Responsibility Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org You are not responsible for every emotion that surfaces – although your choices may serve as an internal trigger (scary movie) Since your brain creates your feelings (its interpretation of what the emotion is trying to convey), you are responsible for the feelings you hang onto over time . . . 26

Part 2 – After the Break