Presents

The Power of EQ—How to tap into it,

Part 1

Arlene R. Taylor PhDwww.arlenetaylor.org Brain Referencesthebrain@arlenetaylor.org

EQ Working DefinitionArlene 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 involveboth of them, however, ascomponents

Emotions and FeelingsArlene 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 whenyou understand the difference betweenemotions and feelings—biochemicallydifferent states—and learn tomanage 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

Emotions DefinitionArlene 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 thesubconscious, faithfully recording andreporting chemical processes that enterour conscious awareness only as werecognize them as emotions

Candace Pert, PhD

All the World’s a Stage . . . Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

So is your brain and youare 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

Role of EmotionsArlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

1. To connect the consciouswith the subconscious

2. To get your attention and provide youwith pertinent information

3. To give you energy

4. To motivate you to take appropriateaction

Clock Metaphor Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

Without an energy source, the handsof 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)

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, resultingin negative outcomes

Core EmotionsArlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

Clear scientific evidence exists that facial expressions registering at least joy, anger,

fear, and sadness are inbornand may be seen on

the face of a fetusduring gestation

EmotionsStaircase

EuphoriaArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Provides energy to experience special moments of joy at an intense level—–not designed to be sustained for a long time

Euphoria (awe, elation) is a signal that something

very pleasurable or exciting is

happening

Euphoria, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

Without euphoria you may missor 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

Provides energy to live life to its fullness—the only emotion that doesn’t result in negative

outcomes when maintained over time

Joy is a natural state ofanti-depression hard

wired into the brain;a signal that life

is basically going well

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

AngerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Anger provides energy to create and implement appropriate personal limits

Anger signals that your boundaries have been

invaded (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual,

spiritual, social,financial…)

Anger, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

Without anger you may lack motivationto 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 provides energy to take appropriate protective action for you and/or for others

Fear is a signal that youare in some type of danger (unless it is

imagined fear)

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

SadnessArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Sadness provides energy to grieve losses, heal past woundedness, and recover (feel better)

Sadness is a signalthat you have

experiencedsome type

of loss

Sadness, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

Without sadness you may fail to recover from your lossesand/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 OverwhelmArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

People rarely commit suicide when in a state of apathy – they don’t have enough energy!

Mismanaged emotions can result in emotional

overwhelm that can,in turn, lead to a state of apathy

Motivators / InterruptersArlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org

In addition to at least joy, anger, fear, and sadness, there are some emotional assistants

Motivators - Surprise and Disgust (may surface in combination with a core emotion)

Interrupters - Shame and Guilt (are likelylearned reactions; may be helpful andhealthy or false and unhealthy / unhelpful)

Separate SystemsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Emotions and feelings areare 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

ResponsibilityArlene 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 toconvey), you are responsible for the feelings you hang onto over time . . .

Part 2 – After the Break