Hello, I hope my answer is helpful to you in some way.
In reality, everyone will experience periods of anxiety, depression, sadness, or anger. However, not everyone knows how to manage their emotions effectively.
When we suppress our emotions, like anger, sadness, worry, anxiety, and fear, it can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that almost all diseases are related to emotions, and over 90% of people will experience emotional issues affecting their body organs. For instance, if you're often angry, you may experience discomfort like indigestion or stomach discomfort.
However, long-term depression or long-term anxiety, resentment, sadness, etc. can lead to a decline in cognitive function and social skills, an inability to persist in learning and work, and even serious psychological disorders.
So, learning to manage our emotions is something every adult needs to do. If you keep your mind in a balanced state, it'll make your world a better and more harmonious place.
It's also a great time to understand yourself better. We can learn to understand and regulate ourselves, and learn to live with our emotions in a more positive way, in the following ways:
Be aware of the main reason behind your emotions.
When you feel angry, sad, or disappointed, take a moment to think about why. What needs aren't being met?
If you keep an eye on your emotions and think about why you're feeling a certain way, you'll probably be able to figure out the root cause. Once you know what the real problem is, you can start working on a solution. This can really help to improve your overall mood.
For instance, I used to get pretty angry when other people didn't do what I expected. I expected my mother-in-law not to control me, my husband to be with me all the time, and my kids to be proactive in learning...
When they don't meet my standards, I feel bad. I later realized that I have a problem with using my standards to demand things from others. When they don't meet my standards, I get angry.
When I stop trying to make other people fit my standards and accept them for who they are, my emotions become much more stable.
But the main reason we get angry is different for everyone because we all have different needs inside. Basically, we get emotional because our inner needs aren't being met.
A friend of mine often gets angry because others don't recognize and accept him. The root cause of his emotions is actually his lack of recognition and acceptance of himself.
There's a psychological principle that says when we lack something inside, we tend to look for it outside.
If we're always looking for external validation and recognition, it's a sign that we don't fully recognize and accept ourselves. When we rely on others for approval and acceptance, we'll often find that others are inconsistent, and nobody is always going to affirm and recognize us. This can make us feel unrecognized and unaccepted, which can lead to a vicious cycle.
We need to look within, learn to affirm ourselves, accept ourselves, accept our imperfections, and accept ourselves as a whole.
My friend learned to affirm and accept himself, and it really helped. He said, "After I accepted and recognized myself enough, I discovered that my world really changed a lot. I no longer get so emotional about other people's negativity, because I know what kind of person I am, and they are just negating me because I don't meet their evaluation standards. Of course I'm also happy when other people affirm me, but I know that they are only affirming me because I meet their evaluation standards..."
Our thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected. They're like gears that move together when one changes. So, when we understand what's really behind our anger and then adjust our thinking and behavior accordingly, it can really help to improve our emotions.
It's important to accept all your emotions.
It's important to remember that when we accept both positive and negative emotions, we're accepting ourselves. Emotions are a natural part of who we are, and it's essential to embrace them fully.
It's not necessary to deliberately deal with bad emotions, but you can take them with you to get things done. Emotions aren't good or bad. They're actually useful because they help us understand ourselves and also help us feel the world.
We need to embrace a positive view of emotions. This means not judging any emotion that arises and not determining whether each emotion is good or bad.
If you judge emotions as good or bad, you'll naturally gravitate towards the good ones, like happiness and joy. You'll avoid and resist the bad ones, like depression and irritability.
If you embrace the good and reject the bad, you'll end up drained and in a cycle of emotional turmoil.
Keep a positive outlook and don't make a big deal out of whether your emotions are good or bad. This means not putting your emotions into two different boxes, which will help you avoid internal conflicts and struggles.
This way, you can treat your emotions with a bit of distance, which will help you have more control over them.
That's when you'll really have control over your emotions.
It's important to channel your emotions in a reasonable way.
Did you know that you can't suppress your emotions? Sigmund Freud said, "If you try to hide your emotions, they'll find a way to come out in a more intense way."
Some people find that crying is a good way to release their emotions. However, this can only have a temporary effect. There are other ways to release emotions, too:
If you need to get rid of pain, you can write it all out (no need to worry about neat handwriting or logical content, just express yourself). You can also find the right person to talk to, share your inner worries and pressure, and at the same time feel the love and support of your friends.
If it's because you're self-negating, you need to improve how you see yourself, give yourself positive feedback, and practice affirming yourself. You can also improve your thinking by reading books like "Identifying Yourself: Transcending Your Inherent Weaknesses," "Accepting Your Imperfections," and "Rebuilding Your Life."
If you're feeling sad because of someone, you can find the person you want to connect with, have an honest exchange, and express your needs to them. Only when we express our needs and feelings will our hearts not be so oppressed.
If you need to release anger, you can do so through strenuous exercise—think boxing, running, kicking, and so on. You can also try squeezing stress balls, pounding pillows or sandbags, tearing paper, and so on. Another option is the empty chair technique, which involves placing an empty chair in a room and assuming the person you want to talk to is sitting in it. Then, you can express your thoughts and feelings (including abuse and anger) to the chair as much as you'd like.
I'd also suggest checking out "The Elephant and the Rider" and "Emotions" if you're interested in learning more about emotions.
I hope this helps. Best regards.
Comments
I can relate to feeling overwhelmed by arguments. It sounds like you're seeking ways to improve emotional regulation. Have you considered reading "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman? It explores how to understand and manage emotions effectively, offering insights that could help in personal relationships.
It's tough when disagreements escalate. I found "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall B. Rosenberg quite transformative. The book teaches a compassionate way of communicating that can foster empathy and understanding between partners, which might be beneficial for your situation.
Sometimes stepping away in the heat of the moment is necessary, but it's also important to address underlying issues. "Hold Me Tight" by Sue Johnson offers a roadmap for couples to reconnect and heal their relationship through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Leaving during an argument shows you're aware of your limits, but staying to resolve conflicts can be healthier. "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by John Gottman provides researchbacked advice on maintaining a strong marriage, including strategies for resolving conflict constructively.
It's not uncommon to feel frustrated, but learning to pick battles can reduce unnecessary stress. "Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In" by Roger Fisher and William Ury might give you tools for negotiating with your partner in a way that respects both parties' needs.