“There is nothing good or bad. But, thinking makes it so.” Have you heard this quote before? That’s a very famous line from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. What does this have to do with creating and managing your emotions? Well, everything.
Most people think that our external circumstances dictate your emotions, moods, or feelings. For example, if someone pays you a compliment; you feel good and positive. On the flip side, you feel sad, angry, and stressed if you are experiencing negativity. Well, the secret to life is that what’s creating your emotions is not the environment. It’s you, it’s how you think about the environment that makes the emotions, and this is something that’s within your control and something that can be changed even when the external environment is against you. You can alter how you perceive, interpret, and react to it and thereby gain emotional mastery.
Positive vs. Negative Emotions
Emotions sometimes are referred to as the spirit or the breath of life. They prescribe our actions and the colors of our life. Several strategies have been explored and recommended as a means of accepting and processing emotions. Here are three measures to help you address feelings.
Step 1: Identify the Emotion
- Acknowledge your emotions. Don’t judge yourself for the feelings you feel. Take a deep breath and observe your thoughts which caused these feelings.
- Don’t hide how you feel. You might not want to shout your feelings to others. But don’t suppress your feelings entirely. Instead, calm your mind and accept your feelings.
- Know why you think the way you do. Analyze the circumstance that got you feeling the way you do.
Step 2: Take Action
- Think about the best route to express your emotion. Is this a time when you need to confront someone else gently? Talk with a friend about what you’re feeling.
- Learn how to change your mood. You’ll want to change from a pessimistic attitude to an optimistic one at a particular stage. Try to indulge in things that give you joy, even though at the moment you don’t feel like it.
- Build positive emotions. Positive feelings provide a sense of happiness and well being.
- Seek support. Talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted friend or seek help from a therapist.
- Exercise. Physical exercise allows the brain to create natural chemicals that facilitate a festive mood.
Step 3: Get Help With Difficult Emotions
Sometimes, under no circumstances, you can’t shake a challenging emotion. Consult a counselor or a therapist if you find yourself trapped in feelings of depression or worry for more than 2 weeks.
To Summarise…
Use what you have learned here to strengthen your understanding of your feelings and achieve greater awareness and stability of your emotional state. You won’t regret it! You can do this by taking the journey inwards. Download JoyScore app to lead a mindful and content life.
