Emotions have a great deal to do with the interpretation of ours of an event. Thoughts happen whenever we believe a thing holds due to how we think, when in God-given reality, the truth might be completely different.
It can be hard to master how you can manage your emotions and not allow yourself to be influenced by others who are emotional within your space. If you discover you respond strongly to life’s drama, below are 10 ways to stop yourself from being a slave to your emotions:
Read also: HOW TO OVERCOME NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
1. Acknowledge that you are in charge of your emotions
Our thoughts can trigger a rush of emotions that influence our mood, either negatively or positively. Whenever we think of good thoughts, we tend to feel positive feelings; however, when our thoughts are negative, we are inclined to experience negative emotions.
Make a habit of telling yourself that your thoughts are the direct interpretation of events. These “mostly unplanned” events have helped us develop filters that make handling life a bit easier. Telling ourselves that the things we think about and the ensuing emotions might not constantly be a precise representation of what’s happening.
2. Take note
One of the main strategies that can help you cope with your thoughts would be to jot them down. If you feel you are at the mercy of your emotions, you could ask a simple question in your notes like “why do I seem so frustrated today?” This would help you work your way back into the series of events and emotions that have brought you to that point.
After that, you should then ask a constructive action question to engage other emotions that may help you see the positive side of life. You could ask questions like, “What positive steps can you take to make yourself feel better at that moment?”
3. Have a second thought before doing anything
It helps to pause and wait for the emotional rush to wear off before taking any action. The part of our brain responsible for emotions is more active than the logical part.
Stopping to let the logical side of us to kick in is the smartest thing to do when you feel emotionally swamped. This not only gives you a window to control your emotions and thoughts; it also keeps you safe from doing or saying things you may regret.
4. Work on your weaknesses
What particular individuals or circumstances seem to get emotional reactions from you? Recognizing these weaknesses can encourage us to be more aware. Regularly monitor your emotional levels by categorizing the intensity of how you feel on a scale of 1 to 10. It helps to use predetermined techniques to control the emotional reaction if you read 7 on the scale.
Some effective methods you may want to employ could include deep breathing, counting from 100 backwards, or temporarily remove yourself from circumstances that can potentially trigger emotional rush. You may need to start by knowing what your triggers are.
5.Take responsibility
Can you count the number of times you’ve informed someone that their actions or statements made you uncomfortable? It is no lie that we are affected by other people’s actions and words. Nonetheless, it is advisable to take responsibility for the emotions we experience in response to these actions or words. The truth is, nobody can make you feel bad about yourself; it is your choice.
Generally, the reactive emotions we experience are based on our realization of the truth, and things that mean a lot to us. Running late may trigger anger in you, but others may react differently and not see it as a big deal.
6. Recognize your emotions
Be responsible for your actions. As nature would have it, we can’t control other people, but we can constantly manage precisely how we decide to react to others. Whenever we blame others for how we react emotionally, we validate the impression that we can’t decide for ourselves. Take charge of your emotions by learning how to control your emotions responsibly.
Mentally placing yourself in the same situation as other individuals can help you relate with their position. Be aware that your beliefs, culture, upbringing, and life experiences are completely different from others.
7. Validate your emotions first
It is essential not to ignore those feelings when you are experiencing a rush of emotions. Emotions can be just like unruly, care-free children looking for attention. The emotions we feel are an intricate aspect of our lives, and it is what we do with these emotions that either creates or fixes problems. For starters, some people prefer to eat when they are feeling sad, bored, or lonely.
While this may bring temporary comfort, it doesn’t always end well. Individuals in this category tend to suffer from low self-esteem because they may begin to add too much weight. You can strengthen your thought-process by validating your feelings instead of dulling them with food. When our emotions become validated, we become particularly conscious and embrace them as we understand our roots. Only in this position of consciousness can we see what influence it can have over us.
Click to read: 10 COMMON HABITS OF UNHAPPY PEOPLE
8. Practice how to detach emotionally
Your emotions shouldn’t define you. A useful technique is to imagine being a driver on a bus full of passengers and your passengers begin by telling you can’t drive. They also throw other verbal jabs at you; maybe call you fat or stupid. Many people go through something similar daily, and they react negatively instead of controlling the situation.
You automatically give control to your passengers if you let their snide remarks get to you. Your job is to drive and control the situation, no matter how bad the situation. Learn to tune out negativity and focus on what’s most important – being in control of your emotions.
In many circumstances, emotional detachment entails being proactive without being distracted by all the thoughts running through your head. Remember that your emotions are like passengers on your bus and they react just as you control them.
9. Take some time out
We all have a place where we go to cool off, either mentally or physically. Taking a break from tension can be more than helpful. When we don’t take a break or pause to check in ourselves, we may feel tense for a more extended period. Negative situations around us can trigger this tension.
Some individuals can snap and get emotional at complications that may seem like no big deal to others. Such individuals can help themselves by taking a long walk, talking to a friend or family member, listening to soothing sounds and any healthy activities that help them reset their level of tension.
Recognize positive energy that comes into your life – this includes people, things, or places that minimize negative emotion. You can try to maintain a balance that helps you monitor higher positive emotions and lower negative emotions.
Read also: WHY YOU SHOULD GET ENOUGH REST
10. Understand your emotions
It helps to minimize the impact of certain situations when we can understand why we respond in particular ways. Being conscious of the reasons responsible for your display of emotions might help you take charge of any situation.
We’re emotional beings, and these emotions help us to feel a sense of human connection. However, this comes with a price as many emotional rushes can be overwhelming. Whenever time is taken to relax, meditate, and practice self-awareness, be aware that you are on the right path to understanding your emotions.
How To Stop Being A Slave To Your Emotions – tinybuddha
