Monthly Archives: July 2014

Jul21

Sierra Kayak Camp at Blue Lakes

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Sierra Kayak Camp at Blue Lakes

The last time I was camping in the Sierra was 20 years ago, but when I saw this kayak camp-out on MeetUp, I took a chance and carpooled with a woman I had never met. Lori Parmalee was a great driver with a solid truck who knew the territory and was a congenial companion for the four-hour trip to Blue Lakes near Carson Pass, not far from Kirkwood Ski Resort.

At 8,000 feet in mid-July, we were delighted when the predicted thundershowers cracked open, just as the hikers returned from 4.6 miles along the ridgeline with a 1000 ft. elevation gain/loss. The rain washed out Saturday kayaking but gave us a rainbow at sunset, reflected in the calm lake, as we walked along the beach. Sunday kayaking was beautiful and I saw a marmot!

Carl Inglin and Isabelle Saint-Guily are a joy to camp with. Relaxed but prepared, they covered the picnic table with a tarp when the showers began and we all enjoyed dinner together on Saturday night as the sprinkles continued. Campfire conversation with Lisa and Mitch, Bill and Wendy, Lori, and Jonah was interesting and lively. The campground and location were beautiful. Great trip! Click on the images to see the gallery.

Jul7

The Chemistry of Conversation

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The Chemistry of Conversation

Why do negative comments and conversations stick with us so much longer than positive ones?
conversationcortisol
Chemistry plays a big role in this phenomenon. When we face criticism, rejection or fear, when we feel marginalized or minimized, our bodies produce higher levels of cortisol, a hormone that shuts down the thinking center of our brains and activates conflict aversion and protection behaviors. We become more reactive and sensitive. We often perceive even greater judgment and negativity than actually exists. And these effects can last for 26 hours or more, imprinting the interaction on our memories and magnifying the impact it has on our future behavior. Cortisol functions like a sustained-release tablet – the more we ruminate about our fear, the longer the impact.

Positive comments and conversations produce a chemical reaction too. They spur the production of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that elevates our ability to communicate, collaborate and trust others by activating networks in our prefrontal cortex. But oxytocin metabolizes more quickly than cortisol, so its effects are less dramatic and long-lasting.

http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/06/the-neurochemistry-of-positive-conversations/