Overwhelmed by your Emotions?

Posted on October 12, 2018

It can be tough trying to hide our emotions at times, especially when we feel this strong wave of anger, worry or fear overcome us. We all had moments when we let our emotions affect our work performance and professionalism and attempting to suppress those feelings will not make the feelings disappear. It will just deplete our energy and ability to focus throughout the day.

Masking the overwhelming feelings at work might seem like the best way to deal with the situation. However, at one point, you might just burst and let everything all out, resulting in more drastic consequences. These negative feelings which are said to be difficult emotions, were developed as survival mechanisms to help us perceive and understand what’s going on around us and how should we act in response to them. For example, anger might mean the need to stand up for oneself or someone important to you; embarrassment might mean the need to make amendments for your wrongdoings, and fear might mean the need to take precautions. The better we can understand our body’s emotional response and acknowledge our emotions, the more we will be able to understand why a certain situation triggered our reaction.

There are a few mindfulness practices which can help you realize when your thoughts and emotions have strayed and help improve your ability to set them back in place. These different practices will help you get back on track when you are running away from your difficult emotions. When your attention and purpose are in sync, you might realize when you’re acting unreasonably towards others and hence make effort to understand the other party’s viewpoint. These act as a form of practice to be more conscious of your surroundings and people around you, have more compassion and be kinder to others. It is always possible to learn to internalize our emotions better and be more efficient, feel better, establish good relationships and be healthier.

There are 3 ways we can internalize our own feelings with purpose and focus:

1. Have an open mind towards your feelings

Instead of attempting to suppress your feelings, train yourself to face them. it is healthier to be open and attempt to understand your emotional processes like emotions activated, their depth and quality, and your bodily reactions. Feel more comfortable about recognizing your emotions and use them as crucial signs to our surroundings and guidance in decision-making, communicating with others and being more genuine. Whenever you face difficult emotions, use it to your advantage to train your mind

2. Reclaim your purpose

Give yourself space away from tasks that might put you at an emotional risk or any uneasiness. You can mend the gap by remembering and focusing on your sole purpose, the root cause to everything you decide to do. Understand that your actions are part of something bigger, more important with a much greater purpose and meaning behind it. Constantly remind yourself of your purpose and responsibilities through mindfulness practices. Acknowledge your habits of responses and distraction, and to get back on track with how you devote your time and attention.

3. Acts of compassion

Practising to have compassion helps you be more aware of others’ drive, the problems they face, things that annoy them and the emotional battles they are fighting. Having compassion is about discovering a reasonable way of response, considering how the self can help another and provide support whenever they need.

Stop avoiding the difficult emotions, start acknowledging and understanding them through these mindfulness practices to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.


Category(s):Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions, Adult psychological development, Life Purpose / Meaning / Inner-Guidance, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology

Source material from Psychology Today