Winning Ways To Manage Your Emotions

Emotions are a natural part of who we are and how we respond to the happenings around us. Throughout the day, we experience the varying emotions of love, happiness, anger, sadness, fear, and surprise. They are triggered by how we interpret the circumstances at hand and are constantly in flux as things change.

Despite the fleeting nature of our emotions, they can have a lasting impact on what comes next. Out of a temporary, but explosive response, we might permanently destroy our relationship with others or make decisions that derail what is most important to us. Emotions influence our thoughts and behaviors, and unless we learn to control our emotions, they will control us.

The Good and Bad of Emotions

You have the exclusive rights to your emotions. While there is nothing good or bad about having free flowing feelings, there is when you are unable to manage them. If you repress or allow certain emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness to consume you, they can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Chronic stress, high blood pressure, heart problems, headaches, digestive problems, skin problems, and weakened immune systems are some of the unhealthy byproducts of poorly managed negative emotions.

On the plus side, you have the power to find and execute ways to regulate your emotions. So, choose to be proactive.

To take charge of your emotions, start by working through these initial steps.

Acknowledge your emotions.

Delve into what constitutes your more commonly used emotions and map out the ways in which they impact your thoughts and behaviors.

Identify your triggers.

Take a good look at what seems to be the catalysts for your most volatile emotions. Determine what they are and when they are most likely to happen.

Practice self-restraint.

You may be experiencing emotions that are painfully authentic, but there is a time and place to display them. Reserve expressing your emotions in a setting that you can do so without fear of retribution.

Role play scenarios.

Before engaging in emotionally laden encounters, play out in your mind what to expect and the best approach to regulating your responses.

Pause before you react.

When facing a confrontational situation, give yourself time to think before you do or say something you might later regret. Calm yourself down by taking deep breaths. In highly explosive cases, it may be best to walk away, regroup, and proceed again under better circumstances.

Execute a win.

The driving goal when addressing challenging situations or people is to aim for a positive and productive resolution. Rely on your learnings and experiences to initiate a course of action that will produce winning outcomes with mutual benefits.

Keep improving.

Understanding how to effectively respond to your emotions is a work in progress. To continue your growth, pursue additional information on the topic and put your learnings into practice.

Remember, you are the master of your emotions, so take control of keeping them in check for a happier, healthier lifestyle.