Emotions are reactions and responses that human beings experience as a result of events or situations. The triggers brought about by circumstances determines the type of emotion a person experiences. For instance, a person experiences joy when they receive good news and fear when they are threatened.
The power of emotions can literally affect our everyday lives, simply because we make decisions based on our emotions. Understanding our emotions then can help us to navigate life with greater ease and stability. Emotions are very high and dysregulated when trauma occurs. Very often it is hard to process the myriad of emotions that may exist all at one time. Hence, the understanding of our emotions, being able to identify exactly what we feel and how to manage those emotions are important 'need-to-knows' when faced especially with negative situations.
The more we can understand and regulate our emotions, the easier managing stress becomes. Traditionally, there are six emotions which include: fear, disgust, anger, surprise, joy, and sadness. Emotions can also be placed into two categories: Primary and Secondary.
Primary emotions are the emotions that humans experience universally. There are different theories as to what these specific emotions are, but they often include happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise.
Secondary emotions stem from—and are variations of—primary emotions. Sometimes, we have secondary emotions in response to our primary emotions (i.e., "I'm frustrated that I'm so sad"). Secondary emotions may include frustration, pride, envy, and jealousy.
Emotional dysregulation may look like: overly intense emotions, impulsive behavior, lack of emotional awareness, difficulties making decisions, inability to manage behavior and avoidance of difficult emotions. Acknowledging these emotions and understanding them may assist in emotional regulation. How do we get to regulating those emotions?
Acknowledge the actual or assumed emotion.
Validate the emotion.
Talk through the emotion.
Identify if its secondary or primary.
Set boundaries.
Notice when you need a break.
Pray
Journal
When we achieve the goal of regulating those emotions, then we must learn how to manage or maintain them even when events that can dysregulate them occur. Here are some ways we can manage our emotions and have better moods:
Express exactly what you feel, do not ignore the emotion.
Challenge your thoughts.
Seek professional help.
Have a heathy 'go-to' place.
Do intermittent self-checks and pay attention to lingering negative emotions.
Make your days be lighter and your moods better with this understanding of processing and understanding emotions. For more on emotions and emotional processing, register now for my FREE Masterclass "Understanding Emotions and Emotional Processing". Click here to register.
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Sumer
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
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