The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. Emotions are present in our daily lives, and in fact, we are driven by our emotions. We make decisions because we are excited about new prospects, we cry because we’ve been hurt, or we make sacrifices because we love.
Our emotions dictate our thoughts, intentions, and actions; however, emotions can be dangerous. Sometimes we act on our emotions too quickly or we act on the wrong kinds of emotions. Have you ever said something out of frustration or anger that you later regret, or do you let fear talk you out of taking risky decisions? Emotions are powerful and dangerous. Your mood determines how you interact with people, how you deal with challenges, how you spend your time, and how you make decisions.
Here are 4 ways to help you manage your emotions better:
1. Identify What You’re Feeling
Take a moment and analyze, think about what you’re feeling.
Ask yourself:
- How am I feeling right now? (disappointed, confused, furious, sad, etc.)
- What happened to make me feel this way?
- What do I want to do about these feelings? (Scream, vent my frustration by throwing things, cry, etc.)
After analyzing what you’re feeling, taking a moment to check in with yourself about what can help you gain back in control.
When you analyze the situation and what you are feeling, you reframe your thoughts, leading you to make better decisions and not act just with your emotions.
2. Accept Your Emotions
One of the most important things is to accept your emotions, ALL of them. It doesn’t matter if you are feeling happy, sad, frustrated, mad, or disappointed, you have to accept what you’re feeling. Accepting emotions as they come helps you get more comfortable with them. Increasing your comfort around intense emotions allows you to fully feel them without reacting in extreme, unhelpful ways. If you don’t accept your emotions and brush them away, it’ll get worse. Don’t EVER ignore what you’re feeling.
3. Don’t React Right Away
Reacting immediately to emotional triggers can be an immense mistake. It is guaranteed that you’ll say or do something you’ll later regret. Before saying or taking a decision with only your emotions, take a deep breath and stabilize the overwhelming impulse. Continue to breathe deeply, and as you become calmer, affirm to yourself that this is only temporary.
4. Forgive Your Emotional Triggers
Your emotional triggers may be your friends, your family members, or even yourself. You may feel a sudden wave of anger or frustration with yourself or with your friends/ family, but when you forgive, you detach. You detach from the resentment, the jealousy, or the fury lingering within you. As you forgive, you will find yourself disassociating from the harsh feelings attached to your being.
Emotions play a key part in your reactions. When you’re in tune with them, you have access to important knowledge that helps with decision-making, relationship success, day-to-day interactions, self-care, and more.
Gaining control over your emotions will help you become mentally stronger, you’ll be grateful you were able to be the master of your emotions.
