We are living in very difficult times - covid - worldwide crisis.
We have to cope with challenges every day, we all have had to cope with less or more extreme circumstances at some point in our life.
Coping strategies help us to survive, they protect us and it is very important to say thank you to all of them…they need to be acknowledged and respected.
In a long term these coping strategies - maintaining, avoiding emotions might manifest in form of emotional/mental distress - depression or anxiety…
If we are not in touch with our emotions, we lack an inner compass and we take action - meaningless action…not knowing the motivation or intention behind it… moving from one thing to another but things often do not work out … feelings of emptiness and unhappiness, feelings of depression or anxiety are present within.
Emotions tell us what we desire, tell us about our needs and wishes, what we like and what do not like, what is good and bad for us.
When we shout down or avoid emotions we are... just we are physically… we get up…do the things… eat…sleep… and over again.
Emotions connect us to our core - the self - so we have got intimacy with ourselves and without it we can not become intimate with others…
It is because of experiencing our deepest sadness, joy, anger, fear and an excitement we are connected to ourselves and others.
The emotions always send a message to us
FEAR - tell us about danger, risky situations.
SADNESS - is about losses in our life.
ANGER - is about self-defence/boundaries
JOY/EXCITEMENT - is about successes and connection with others - gives us the energy to engage even more…to grow, to create and to collaborate.
Blocking emotions may lead to depression, anxiety and it causes emotional distress which will have a huge impact on our health.
ASK YOURSELF:
How/in what way did my parents (significant others) respond to my emotions when I was a child?
This influenced how you feel about and deal with emotions of yours
and others at the moment.
Do you feel the disconnect from your emotions to cope with challenges?
There is also another side of the coin.
Do you become easily overwhelmed with emotions - …quickly feel anger, crying, feeling easily hurt by others, taking small misunderstandings too personally
Just recognise your way…
Being able to recognise what feelings and emotions are present within is already a huge step, it helps not to live in the head and prevent the intellect become an internal compass.
of course...
thinking and learning how to regulate our emotional world is equally important - as if we are a good enough parent to ourselves who helps us to regulate our emotions.
When emotions do not overwhelm us, we can experience peace and we can make constructive changes in our lives.
EXERCISE:
This is an exercise that helps to get in touch and deal with your feelings and emotions when they arise.
Sit and close your eyes
What am I feeling right now? Name it, verbalise.
Why am I feeling like that? What it is a reminder of or who... past situations and so on.
What way am I feeling this and where in my body? Drop to your body - which part of the body, organs in your body... any sensations/any tension.
Breathing
Breathe in throughout your nose...to your belly...passing the chest...pushing your belly out... hold a couple of seconds...
Breathe out slowly throughout your mouth...
This way of breathing helps to stimulate a vagus nerve, which represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system - a system that helps the body relax.
Whatever I write here is based on my experience, my understanding of the world inside of me and the world around me - how I perceive things - very subjective perception... if something resonates with you take it with you and experiment.
Gosia
