The last two months were emotionally challenging for all of us.
Developing ways to give time and space to our emotions is especially important right now, as there are a lot of feelings going around.
Many of you asked me how to successfully navigate through this emotional roller coaster.
Here are 4 practical emotion regulation tips:
- Start with identifying your emotions.
It may sound weird, but many of us aren’t in the habit of investigating our emotions. But given how complex they are, it’s essential to take a moment to name what we are experiencing and why. Also, explore with curiosity what’s going on in your body. You can also use an emotion wheel, which is a great tool to help you more easily put a name to your emotions.
- Resist judging your feelings.
Don’t view your feelings as good or bad. We have feelings for a reason. Give yourself permission to welcome them, accept them without judgment, feel them… then let them go.
- Ask yourself: ''What are these feelings telling me?’’
Investigate your emotions to find further information to help you cope with them. Dig deep on what the emotions are trying to tell you.
They could be telling you something as small as "you need to step away from social media for a bit. " Recognize that there’s a valuable message in it for you.
- Find a way to express your feelings safely and mindfully.
Instead of keeping your emotions inside, choose your own way to express them safely.
Do you need to talk about them with your friend?
Do you need to have a good cry?
Do you need to go for a long walk?
Do whatever helps you work through your emotions. So many people try their hardest not to feel something and don’t realize that true relief comes when they don’t have to suppress what they feel any longer.
And finally, the most important is practice, practice, and practice! The more you practice, the more you will develop a deeper sense of emotional regulation.
Would you like to learn how to stop bottling your emotions, or would you like to help me create your personal emotional regulation toolbox, filled with practical exercises that you can easily integrate into your everyday life? Book your individual session HERE.
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