Why do we pay attention to our feelings considering they arise from the simplest mechanisms in our brains?

Answer 1

This is a great question, but a bit of a "double-barrel." I'll start with addressing that the perceived simplicity of a structure does not necessarily predict the impact it has on the life of a living thing. Take, for example, my pet tarantulas. Their "brains" consist of a simple bundle of ganglia found within their abdomens. Yet this simple ganglia is responsible for coordinating all of the neurological activity for the animal. This is incredible considering the speed at which some of my spiders can run and jump as well as respond to stimuli, strike, and begin digestion.

We can thank the sympathetic division of our autonomic nervous system for why emotions play a significant role in our thoughts and behaviors. Our sympathetic division houses our "fight, flight, or freeze" response. It was originally intended to help us survive by having immediate access to mind, body, and behavior responses that might promote our survival when threatened by a predator. This is why, if hear a branch snap behind you while walking in the woods, you may immediately assume the noise signals danger and feel your heart beat faster. This is your sympathetic division "kicking in" in case that snap was a tiger that might want to eat you.

Most of us do not have to worry about wild animals preying on us in the wild. We do not experience that level of threat to our lives on a daily basis. Yet, our sympathetic division has not quite caught up to this. It does not differentiate between a real tiger and what we call a "paper tiger." A "paper tiger" is a source of stress that our sympathetic division responds to as though it is a real danger when it is not. The documentary "Paper Tigers" (by KPJR Films) is an excellent resource for more information on this.

An example of a "paper tiger" might be a teacher announcing a pop quiz when students have not studied at all. Most students will experience worried thoughts, "I'm going to fail!" and perhaps a quickening heartbeat or sweaty palms. Their sympathetic nervous system does not understand that a predator is not in the room - it is only a quiz. Students with difficulty regulating their emotions or using the rational aspects of their brain to calm themselves may engage in unusual behavior to escape the "threat" of the quiz. I have had students who would do anything from crying, to throwing their books on the floor, to closing their eyes and putting their head down, to feigning illness and going to see the nurse.

In short, we pay so much attention to our emotions because our nervous system is designed for us to do so to keep us safe from harm. Even if we are not in actual danger, our sympathetic division may not be on board with this. It will overcome our bodies with powerful emotions that make danger seem real - just in case. When our bodies are making us feel as though we are in real danger, we are unlikely to ignore how we feel. What we can do is follow the suggestions by Kelly McGonigal given during her TED Talk, "How to Make Stress your Friend" (available for free on YouTube). McGonigal discusses using the rational parts of our brain to observe our sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, and quickening thoughts. Then, we should remind ourselves that we are not in danger but that our bodies are now prepared to handle stress. Viewing ourselves as "prepared for stress" rather than "overcome/distracted by emotion" is a healthier and productive way to manage how we feel.