In many articles and blogs about emotional intelligence, stress and human emotions are discussed based on how our brains function. In the blog post ‘You only have one brain‘, I previously addressed the triune brain theory, which is often cited in this context but is actually incorrect because it provides a flawed view of the evolution of the human brain and an incomplete picture of our emotional system. Our brain is only one part of the extensive stress-regulating system in our body. This system consists of various subsystems, including your heart, your breathing, and the autonomic nervous system. All these subsystems interact with each other in an incredibly complex way.
Our emotional system
In this post, I will touch upon these other components of our stress or emotional system. In doing so, I have benefited greatly from the nuanced and holistic explanations in the books by professor of psychiatry Witte Hoogendijk and publicist Wilma de Rek and breath therapist Regine Herbig.
- First and foremost, our heart plays a central role in our emotional system. In fact, more nerves run from the heart to the brain than vice versa. The heart sends signals to your brain via the autonomic nervous system, through hormones and neurotransmitters, and via your blood pressure. In this way, your heart influences your emotional state.
- Breathing also plays a crucial role. If we breathe too quickly, our hormonal balance is disrupted and our body enters a permanent state of alertness. Elevated adrenaline levels then cause a constant sense of agitation and stress. By breathing properly, a more coherent heart rate and a more stable emotional state are created. This is why stress, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, and high blood pressure can be effectively treated with breathing exercises.
- The autonomic nervous system is involved in almost all unconscious functions and processes in your body, such as your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, energy production, digestion, and metabolism. Different emotions lead to different signals via the autonomic nervous system to our heart, stomach, skin, and the rest of our body. The autonomic nervous system consists of two parts that keep each other in balance:
– The sympathetic nervous system (the accelerator) increases our heart rate in preparation for a fight-or-flight response and directs our movements.
– The parasympathetic nerve center (the brake) lowers the heart rate and ensures rest, recovery, and relaxation.
Strong emotions such as anger and frustration disrupt the balance between these two parts. If there are insufficient moments where the parasympathetic system is stimulated through rest, love, relaxation, appreciation, joy, affection, or gratitude, this imbalance persists. In the long run, this leads to serious health complaints regarding digestion, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety.
Just like, or rather including your brain, our stress-regulating system has developed over many millions of years of evolution. The same substances that regulate stress in the human body can be found in the worms and fish that existed 500 million years ago, when life on land did not yet exist. We share large parts of our DNA with animals, fish, and plants. For example, 98% of our DNA matches that of a chimpanzee, 70% of our DNA is identical to that of zebrafish, and 50% of our DNA is the same as fruit flies and even bananas. For this reason, the zebrafish is a frequently used laboratory animal for testing antidepressants and researching genetic disorders in humans.
We are more than our brain
The fact that we are more than just a brain helps me seek solutions to problems in other parts of my body besides just my head. Causes of illness, tension, and stress lie within our entire system. When all parts are in balance, we experience harmony. If you are constantly worrying, complaining, stressed, or angry with those around you, this affects your entire system and can make you ill or depressed. And if you are ill or depressed, it has a huge influence on your body, your digestion, immune system, and nervous system. This is not to say that it is ‘your own fault’ if you are ill or depressed. But what you can do is take responsibility for your own physical and mental health.
Image: 3D photo composition of a Zebrafish, Daniel Castranova, NICHD/NIH