Important is to acknowledge and understand them
Emotions are those functioning of a human body over which we have very little control. But when in tune with them, one has complete and enhanced access to the important part of the brain that helps with the most important functioning of decision-making, healthy relationship building, day-to-day interactions, and self-care. So if looked closely, emotions play a key role in one’s day-to-day activities. If we are in the right emotional state of mind it subsequently shows positive productivity but when not in the right mind frame things go haywire. At the same time, it is also important to understand that emotions also often take a toll on the overall mental health and interpersonal relationships once they get out of control. For better and for the worse, here are a few tips and tricks on how to work with one’s emotions.
Identify your emotion. To begin it is important to not label emotions just in one category. There are emotions beyond being angry, upset, or happy. When the emotional toll comes knocking on the mind, without giving in to the emotion sit down for a few seconds with self. In your own self-assessment understand whether you are angry or just grumpy, mournful or just dismayed, happy or just pleased. You will find yourself struggling to identify the emotion.
Take a look at the intensity and impact of your emotions. Once you succeed in spotting the exact nature of the emotion, rate them on a scale of 1-10 to help you better understand its intensity. Ask yourself, how deeply are feel this emotion, is it important, if so how strong is it, and does it make you re-evaluate your choice of word for the emotion. Here remember, not all intense emotions are bad, you should just know how to channel them. Also, look into the fact that how your uncontrolled emotions are affecting your day-to-day life. Doing this will help in identifying the problem areas and work on them.
Learn self-compassion. Notice how a child claps for themselves when they accomplish even a simplest of the task, like holding a cup. That is the compassion required for self as well. But the usual practice involves often judging selves and others harshly. But this is again an emotion that is to be addressed with mindful practice observing bodily sensations when revisiting deeply held emotions or memories, and treat them with kindness. At the same time treat yourself with love and compassion by saying things to yourself that you would say to comfort a friend. It’s okay to feel this way and we all make mistakes.
Also it is important to talk about one’s feelings with friends and others.
