Goleman discussed the recent research finding that people who are chronically anxious, sad, or depressed have double the risk of getting a major disease - a higher risk than smoking. The same risk factors apply to marriage, which is particularly prone to amygdala attacks. Many couples fall into the habit of negative emotional expressions that, if continued, leads to divorce. Many learn to tune out completely to other people - whether a spouse, a teacher, a parent, an employer, or a friend. Goleman said that couples, as well as educators and students, need to learn how to give calm, informational feedback, and thus avoid provoking amygdala attacks.
Emotional health is also important on the job.
We can raise the emotional intelligence of our students. We can plan activities to get children away from TVs and video monitors. Because the amygdala doesn't mature until a child is 15 or 16, we have many chances to teach children how to handle their feelings. Goleman emphasized that social-emotional development programs should be integrated into the curriculum and the life of the school, involve parents, and include community mentors. They do best when they go for the long term and when teachers are well trained - and when we ourselves become more healthy emotionally.