Master Your Emotions
While the end of the year is a festive time, it is also sobering to think about the people and things we've lost.
Unprocessed grief and heavy emotions often surface in my coaching sessions and energy healing practice. I've realized that most of us, myself included, were not taught healthy ways to process our emotions, instead we may have learned to avoid them or developed unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Later on these suppressed emotions manifest as stress, anxiety, depression, addiction or physical ailments. But when we learn to start processing our emotions in the moment, we can begin to master our emotions, our health and our lives.
4 Steps for Processing Emotions
Step 1: Identify and become aware of emotions and feelings (name the feeling)
Step 2: Stay with and accept the feelings in order to process (become open and curious about how you're feeling). Remember: No matter how painful, your feelings will not kill you.
Step 3: Understand why you are having the feeling (i.e. an unmet need, distorted thinking, a violated boundary, past trauma triggered, etc.)
Step 4: Address the emotion with appropriate action:
Express your need in order to have it met
Address distorted thinking (i.e. with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Re-establish a boundary
Let the feeling pass
Express your thoughts and feelings to someone or through journaling
Re-align yourself with your values and take corrective action
Do the opposite of what your unhelpful urge is (for example, if it is to isolate and sleep – take a walk or talk to someone)
Apologize or make amends to someone
I hope this article can help you or a loved one begin to process emotions in a healthy and compassionate way. By mastering this skill, we can collectively reduce the pain and suffering in this world. Namaste!