It may seem very strange to actually ask you to do something with your emotions. Generally, we just feel an emotion it arises on its own, has its effect on us, physically or mentally or on our relationships and then poof it’s gone.
Check the Direction of Your Anger
Wouldn't it be nice if it was really that simple.
That we could experience anger because of: -
o Something someone did to us - we were angry at someone else.
o Something that I actually did to myself - I am angry at myself.
o Something that I watched that caused me to be angry.
o Something that I experienced and felt because it was in the group that I was with - other people's anger all felt by us.
Now the interesting thing that you may notice that I have created a direction for the emotion going to and from other people or just within ourselves.
Often thinking about the direction of this emotion can be very helpful. For instance, if you are angry at yourself then you have some control over that emotion.
If that emotion is coming from you to other people because perhaps what you have seen or what you have heard, is causing anger towards those people, again you do have some control.
The Impact of the Anger of Other People
Now let's consider the anger that's more observational that you are subjected to, what others are doing either to you personally, or to other people that you witness and feel.
These latter two cases are not within your control so in a way there is nothing you can do about what is coming in your direction except perhaps get out of the way by removing yourself from the situation.
Suggestions to Help Process Negative Emotions
The reason why the title says to do something because if you just allow emotions to flow, mostly they will flow inwards and you will store them, file them away where they are likely to be remembered either consciously or subconsciously. Too easily available for recall or to do in the same way as we add autumn leaves to the compost heap. Add to the emotions already stored.
What does Processing Emotions Mean?
In my book it means clearing out, letting go, releasing and most of all not putting emotions into long term storage, particularly negative emotions. Good positive emotions I'll leave you to file away and keep them for another day.
Here are some suggestions for emotional processing - I'm sure you can find a lot more.
How about writing emotions, let’s use for example anger: -
1. Write down on a piece of paper then cut it up and flush the pieces down the toilet.
2. Write anger on a piece of paper then burn it, safely, I hope. (once got a bit scary in the clinic room with this method of emotional processing)
3. How about writing the emotion on a whiteboard because then we can just erase it, wipe it away.
Now here's an interesting method particularly if you're having a day out at the beach or you live near the sea: -
Write the emotion in the sand making sure it's near the water's edge. Then relax and let the sea wash it away. I think this one is particularly healing because you can watch nature process that emotion of yours.
Conclusion – Awareness of Emotions.
Negative emotions can have a negative effect on our health and wellness, as well as happiness. Experiencing negative emotions are part of everyday life so they cannot be avoided and should not be ignored.
Regards of the direction of the emotions, those you can control and those you cannot they can be expressed, thereby not put into bodily storage. Who really wants to collect negative emotions?
Jean Jordan – Pain Coach
Want to find simple effective ways to reduce your chronic pain without increasing your stress and overwhelm? As a chronic pain coach this is where I can help!
Heaps of ideas can be found in the articles on my website.
You can sign-up to regular updates or spend time using some of the collection of self-help techniques. Or sign to my chronic pain coaching for 6 months support.
After over 20 years of owning pain clinics pain clinics, I started Natural Pain Solutions to reach more people, rather than one person at a time.
After studying Postgraduate Pain Management & Freedom from Chronic Pain with Howard Schubiner, I want to spread the word about holistic self-help techniques people can use at home.
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