7 Steps: Hijacks to Emotional Mastery

Have you ever found yourself saying or doing something in the heat of the moment, only to regret it later?

We’ve all been there.

This is called an "Emotional Hijack"

Imagine you're driving a car, and suddenly someone else grabs the steering wheel and takes control.

Scary, right?

An emotional hijack is like that, but it's your brain!

It's when our emotions take over so quickly that we react without thinking.

It’s all because of a tiny part of our brain called the "amygdala".

When we feel threatened or upset, the amygdala acts faster than the thinking part of our brain.

Emotional hijacks often happen because of 'triggers.' Triggers are things or situations that make us feel very emotional very quickly.

For example, someone might feel triggered if they think they're being ignored.

Everyone has different triggers. The important thing is to know yours.

Emotional hijacks are those unchecked reactions that derail clear-thinking

Here are the steps to handle emotional hijacks.

1. Recognize It’s Real: Understand that emotional hijacks can happen to anyone. It's natural.
2. Know Your Triggers: Think about the times you've reacted without thinking. What made you upset? Recognizing your triggers helps you prepare for next time.
3. Sense the Warning Signs: Before our emotions fully take over, our bodies give us signs. Maybe your heart beats faster, or you feel hot. These are clues that you might be about to experience an emotional hijack.
4. Stay Calm: Try to take a deep breath and pause. Even a short break can give the thinking part of your brain time to catch up.
5. Talk About Your Feelings: Instead of acting on your feelings, talk about them. Saying, "I feel upset" is better than shouting or saying hurtful things.
6. Listen: If someone else is involved, try to listen to them. It can help you understand the situation better.
7. Reflect: After everything is calm, think about what happened. Understanding why you felt the way you did can help you handle things better next time.

It's okay to have strong emotions. They're a part of who we are. But understanding emotional hijacks can help us react in ways that we won't regret later.

Remember, every time we face a challenging situation, it's a chance to learn and grow. Stay curious, stay kind, and remember to give yourself a break.

#coachdilip #mindset #leadershipcoaching