Emotions are part of what makes us human. Without emotions – both the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful ones, we wouldn’t experience life in its fullness. If you find that the negative ones are taking over, it’s time to push back.
WHY WE HAVE EMOTIONS
Feelings play an important role in how you think and behave. They are important for survival, communication and well-being.
As author and educator Kendra Cherry explains on Verywellmind, emotions can do valuable things. They can motivate you to act. Researchers have found, for instance, that people with types of brain damage that affect their ability to experience emotions are also less able to make good decisions.
Emotions can help you determine which part of a decision is the most relevant to the situation. They may also help you make faster decisions. Understanding the emotions shown by others can give you information about how to respond.
KNOW YOUR EMOTIONS
In intense situations, some people aren't really aware of what they're feeling, which can cause them to make bad decisions and act poorly.
When you are conscious of your feelings, you acknowledge that you are experiencing them. You also realise emotions come and go – even the strong and unpleasant ones. This will help you stop and think before doing something you might regret.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM
Negative emotions can be valuable clues that something is wrong. You can't avoid them altogether, but it’s a problem if they start to run (or ruin) your life.
Emotional freedom is all about liberating yourself from negative emotions. It’s about not feeling controlled by emotions but rather being aware of them, accepting them and learning from them.
Feelings play an important role in how you think and behave. They are important for survival, communication and well-being.
As author and educator Kendra Cherry explains on Verywellmind, emotions can do valuable things. They can motivate you to act. Researchers have found, for instance, that people with types of brain damage that affect their ability to experience emotions are also less able to make good decisions.
Emotions can help you determine which part of a decision is the most relevant to the situation. They may also help you make faster decisions. Understanding the emotions shown by others can give you information about how to respond.
KNOW YOUR EMOTIONS
In intense situations, some people aren't really aware of what they're feeling, which can cause them to make bad decisions and act poorly.
When you are conscious of your feelings, you acknowledge that you are experiencing them. You also realise emotions come and go – even the strong and unpleasant ones. This will help you stop and think before doing something you might regret.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM
Negative emotions can be valuable clues that something is wrong. You can't avoid them altogether, but it’s a problem if they start to run (or ruin) your life.
Emotional freedom is all about liberating yourself from negative emotions. It’s about not feeling controlled by emotions but rather being aware of them, accepting them and learning from them.
A FREEDOM TEST
So just how emotionally free are you?
Judit Orloff, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) has written many books on this very important topic. In one of them, Orloff suggests answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the following statements to determine how emotionally free you are:
WHAT YOUR ANSWERS MEAN
• If you answered yes 4 or 5 times: you are experiencing emotional freedom. Halala!
• If you answered yes 2 to 3 times: you are experiencing some emotional freedom.
• If you answered yes 1 time: you are experiencing a low level of emotional freedom.
• If you answered yes 0 times: you are experiencing no emotional freedom.
So just how emotionally free are you?
Judit Orloff, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) has written many books on this very important topic. In one of them, Orloff suggests answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the following statements to determine how emotionally free you are:
- If you're angry with someone, you breathe and centre yourself before reacting. – Yes| No?
- When you’re filled with self-doubt or fear, you treat yourself lovingly. – Yes | No?
- When stuck in traffic or when something doesn't happen fast enough, you are patient. – Yes | No?
- After a hard day, you focus on what you're grateful for rather than beating yourself up for what went wrong. – Yes | No?
- You have empathy with others but don’t become their therapist or absorb their emotional pain. – Yes | No?
WHAT YOUR ANSWERS MEAN
• If you answered yes 4 or 5 times: you are experiencing emotional freedom. Halala!
• If you answered yes 2 to 3 times: you are experiencing some emotional freedom.
• If you answered yes 1 time: you are experiencing a low level of emotional freedom.
• If you answered yes 0 times: you are experiencing no emotional freedom.
Now that you know how emotionally free you are, here are some tips to help you manage your emotions.
1. CENTRE YOURSELF
Start by recognising your feelings and then look at the situation as objectively as possible so you can decide what response is the right one. You can save yourself a lot of pain if you can control your response to emotions.
2. LOVE YOURSELF
During tough times, accept your limitations and acknowledge that there is nothing you can do about the situation. Take time to care for your physical self by, for example, taking a break, eating well, getting some exercise.
Related article: Garden for your mental and physical health
3. LET GO
To let go of negative emotions, sit in a quiet spot, listen to relaxing music, or write down your thoughts. Try to figure out why and when a certain negative feeling pops up. Then, think of why you should let this emotion go. That will help you convince yourself and will give you a goal to aim for.
Related article: 7 Ways to disconnect from work and why it’s important
4. ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT
Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to experience them. Focusing on something enjoyable is a healthy distraction. A big part of letting go is moving on – getting back to the present and making the most of it.
5. OBSERVE YOURSELF
Negative thoughts or emotions will probably resurface. If they do, go back to identify, accept and then move on.
Related article: All about self-regulation and why it’s an important skill
Sources: https://www.typeathought.com/c/emotional-freedom-well-connected-feelings, https://blog.skillsuccess.com, https://www.iconiqpsychology.com, http://www.drjudithorloff.com, https://www.verywellmind.com
1. CENTRE YOURSELF
Start by recognising your feelings and then look at the situation as objectively as possible so you can decide what response is the right one. You can save yourself a lot of pain if you can control your response to emotions.
2. LOVE YOURSELF
During tough times, accept your limitations and acknowledge that there is nothing you can do about the situation. Take time to care for your physical self by, for example, taking a break, eating well, getting some exercise.
Related article: Garden for your mental and physical health
3. LET GO
To let go of negative emotions, sit in a quiet spot, listen to relaxing music, or write down your thoughts. Try to figure out why and when a certain negative feeling pops up. Then, think of why you should let this emotion go. That will help you convince yourself and will give you a goal to aim for.
Related article: 7 Ways to disconnect from work and why it’s important
4. ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT
Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to experience them. Focusing on something enjoyable is a healthy distraction. A big part of letting go is moving on – getting back to the present and making the most of it.
5. OBSERVE YOURSELF
Negative thoughts or emotions will probably resurface. If they do, go back to identify, accept and then move on.
Related article: All about self-regulation and why it’s an important skill
Sources: https://www.typeathought.com/c/emotional-freedom-well-connected-feelings, https://blog.skillsuccess.com, https://www.iconiqpsychology.com, http://www.drjudithorloff.com, https://www.verywellmind.com
HOW TO BECOME EMOTIONALLY FREE, NOW!
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
