Today’s post is from a special contributor, Camillia J. Lynch. She is working on her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling.
Kevin J. Donaldson stated, “Remember NO ONE has the right to control your emotions, thoughts, and actions unless you let them.”
It is normal to experience various kinds of emotions or feelings because it is okay to feel. Sometimes, it may be uncomfortable to experience negative emotions or feelings such as anger, sadness, disappointment, fear, anxiety, etc. However, it is important to be aware of how you are feeling inside. It is helpful to be able to understand how to handle emotions in a healthy way. Unhealthy ways can include denial, withdrawal, bullying or self-harm.
To start, it is various to think about how you may express your emotions, change your moods, and recognizing specific ways would help you to manage your emotions. It will take time for you to figure out what works best for you. Sometimes, a particular activity will work for a time when you are trying to manage anger, but it may not work when you are sad. It is okay to try several different ways to help you to work through negative emotions. One way may work for you but not for others. If you are not sure, feel free to ask your friends or family members to help you to figure out. It is important to use healthy ways because it won’t you while you handle negative or stressful emotions.
There are many different ways to deal with stressful/negative emotions such as:
- Create a personal diary or journal to help you to track your thoughts, feelings, and experiences
- Paint or draw as a way to express yourself through pictures
- Eat healthy snacks
- Punch a pillow
- Let yourself cry
- Rip paper into small pieces
- Take a nap
- Take a shower or bath
- Reorganize your room
- Go outside to play with siblings or friends
- Read positive statements or affirmations
- Be kind to yourself instead of being hard on yourself
- Speak up for yourself.
- Play with a pet
- Go for a walk, ride your bike, rollerblade, or go skating
- Listen to music that fits your mood
- Talk to someone you trust to ask for help or support
- Use humor to make yourself laugh by sharing jokes or watching funny television shows or movies
- Dance as a fun way to exercise and release your negative emotions or stress
- Take some deep breaths to help relieve tension and to think clearly
- Walking away and taking some time out
- Take time to relax before trying again
- Spend time with a loved one, an/or asking for a hug or cuddle
- Try to solve your problems with words
- There are many other activities to try out! What are your favorites?