Your emotions and you

It can be difficult to manage the changes, vastness, and depth of what we feel in a world where pressure, frustration, and confusion are to be expected as daily norms when dealing with self and others.

While it is fairly easy to distinguish between emotions such as happiness, joy, longing, and pain, some difficult emotions can be difficult to differentiate, comprehend, or handle. Such emotions are typically considered to be more negative than positive, and they can appear to occur simultaneously.

Types of difficult emotions

Difficult emotions can be grouped into;

1.   sadness

2.   anger

3.   fear, and

4.   disgust.

·      Sadness: Because you cannot be happy all of the time, it is normal to feel sad on occasion, whether due to the loss of a loved one, disappointment, or heartbreak.

·      Anger is your body's default reaction when injustice is done to you or when someone continues to irritate you. While anger is a normal emotion, too much of it can be crippling.

·      Fear: Everybody is terrified of something. Fear is not a negative emotion because it keeps you from making potentially life-threatening decisions and situations.

·      Disgust: disgust is a normal reaction to unpleasant and unwanted situations. It helps keep you away from things you want to avoid.

Step-by-step guide in dealing with difficult emotions

While emotions are an important part of our human experience and allow us to connect with others on a deeper level, controlling difficult emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness, on the other hand, can be difficult. Below are various strategies for effectively difficult emotions:

·      The first step in controlling difficult emotions is to recognize and acknowledge them. Often, you might tend to suppress or deny your feelings, thinking it's the best way to deal with them. However, this can be counterproductive as it only leads to the bottling up of emotions, making them more challenging to manage in the long run. Recognizing difficult emotions requires being honest with yourself about what you are feeling and why. It takes courage and self-awareness to admit that you are struggling with an emotion that's causing you distress.

·      Acceptance is the next essential step in managing difficult emotions. It's important to accept that all emotions are valid, even the challenging ones. You need to learn to accept your feelings, without any judgment. It's okay to feel sad, angry, or anxious sometimes. These emotions are a natural part of your human experience, and you need to be kind to yourself when experiencing them

·      Positive self-talk is another effective tool for dealing with difficult emotions. You are your harshest critic, especially when you are experiencing difficult emotions. Negative self-talk, on the other hand, can exacerbate the situation. You need to practice positive self-talk rather than criticizing ourselves for feeling a certain way. This entails speaking kindly and encouragingly to yourself. You must remind yourself that you are doing your best and will get through this difficult period.

·      Seeking help from a trusted friend or family member can also be beneficial in coping with difficult emotions. Speaking with someone you trust about your emotions can help you gain perspective, process your feelings, and feel less alone. It's critical to choose someone who will listen to you without passing judgment and who will encourage you. In some cases, professional assistance from a therapist or counselor may be required.

·      Setting boundaries is critical in dealing with difficult emotions. You must learn to say no to unreasonable requests and limit your exposure to people or situations that cause you distress. This allows you to reduce stress and anxiety while also feeling more in control of your life. Setting boundaries can be difficult, but it is a necessary step in protecting your mental health.

Effectively handling your emotions is one of the surest ways to have a better, easier, and more satisfying life.