Feeling Out of Control

by John Cannizzo

Stanley became angry when I told him that he couldn’t use the word n_____.

Alexis felt that it was unfair that I asked him to cut the plank to size while the other guys were chatting.

I feel angry when Darrel stands aside talking on his mobile phone while we are unloading a delivery.

Sometimes, before you even know what’s going on, you can find yourself feeling angry, envious, or excited. This is your body responding to your emotions which have in turn been stimulated by substances created in certain parts of your brain.

Unless we are aware of what is going on in ourselves it is very easy to loose control of our emotions. Emotional responses happen very quickly. They are triggered by substances called hormones that travel throughout your body. It is possible to slow down this reaction and through the years people have developed techniques to do this.

In your brain is a small group of cells called the amygdale. Some scientists believe it is responsible for the way we feel. These two small almond shaped organs react automatically to situations causing us to laugh at something funny, cry when we are sad, or feel fear if someone or something is threatening to us.

When we react automatically we allow our amygdale to take charge. Someone praises you and you are pleased; someone criticizes you and your mood is spoiled. Something new captures your interest and instantly makes you forget what interested you just as much the moment before. Gradually, your interest attaches you to the new thing that has captivated you. This capacity for being captivated is a property of each of us.

The pituitary, a pea-sized gland in your brain, releases hormones. Some hormones cause you to grow while others are responsible for the changes girls go through like starting their periods.

What Can You Do?

The good new is that your amygdale and hormones don’t act on their own. There are lots of things you can do to feel more in charge of your feelings.

Next month we will talk about some exercises that are uniquely adapted to gardening that can help us stay focused.

* Photos by John Cannizzo

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