The last time my travels took me to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, I got to receive my coaster fix again. My daughters were interested in them, and wanted to ride the steel roller coasters with me.
This was a change as they were previously intimidated by them; their size, the speed, the loops….I could tell they were anxious. With their anxiety up, I told them the secret to fully enjoying a roller coaster ride.
“Don’t hold on, just sit, and relax..the ride is smooth, the harnesses are secure..just relax…”
Their perplexed expressions spoke volumes. I explained to them that fear activates the part of the brain associated with fight/flight; danger/fear.
I said if you relax the adrenaline will activate the left amygdala.“Left amygdala?” What’s that? It is a structure opposite of the right amygdala.
The right amygdala, when activated by adrenaline, promotes fear based responses i.e. fight or flight.
The left amygdala responds to adrenaline with exhilaration, and even feelings of ecstasy! If I had a choice ecstasy and exhilaration is preferred over fear and anxiety!
I promised my girls that it works if they can relax. With wide eyes, they sat on the seat and pulled their harness down. I said, “Remember, don’t hold on, you’re strapped in…simply relax, and breath.”
They actually listened, heard what I said, and did as instructed. I glanced over to see my daughters smiling when other riders were screaming!
They enjoyed the experience by choosing calm over fear; exhiliration instead of fright!
On subsequent rides my teenage daughter asked me, “Why do people scream, and act so afraid?” Using the question as a teaching moment I asked her to look at the riders awaiting the ride’s start.
“See how they are holding on, anticipating fear?” She nodded affirmatively. “Look at their eyes…some of them are already checked out…”
She nods again. “They expect fear, and feel it as a result.”“So…you’re telling me that they think they are supposed to be scared…and they become afraid…because they think they’re supposed to be…” She asks rather precociously.
“They haven’t figured out the secret yet.” I said. “Treat it like a tai chi movement, except allow the ride to move your body, and this time, notice your breathing, inhale going up the hills and loops and exhale going down hills and loops…become one with the ride.”
“Really dad?” She asks. I explained that tai chi is movement of the body and breath and that the coaster can move the body as we do the breathing.
“Okay,” she responds as she takes a deep breath.“I think you should try it.” I offered as a suggestion.
“Why?” She asks with genuine curiosity.
“You’ll see,” I replied.