Weekly Prompt #35: What healthy coping mechanisms do you use to manage difficult emotions?
Hello all!
Last week we discussed: Why do we often struggle to prioritize our mental health over other responsibilities? If you haven't checked yet, please click here to add your thoughts.
This week's prompt- What healthy coping mechanisms do you use to manage difficult emotions?
In last week's discussion, @Tinywhisper11 suggested discussing more on why we feel different emotions/feelings and what they mean, or are, and how to stop/control them. So our emotions are a complex mix of biology, psychology, and experience. And, they arise from a combination of factors:
- Physiological responses. Our body reacts to situations with physical changes. A racing heart during a presentation or sweaty palms before a date are physiological responses to emotional states.
- Thoughts and interpretations. How we interpret events triggers emotional responses. For example, forgetting your phone might trigger mild annoyance, but if you interpret it as forgetfulness and incompetence, it could lead to frustration or anger.
- Past experiences. Our past shapes how we react to situations. A bad experience with public speaking might make you fearful of future presentations.
What are Emotions vs. Feelings: though often they are used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference. Emotions are short-lived reactions, like a jolt of surprise or a surge of anger. Feelings are the conscious experience of those emotions, influenced by our thoughts and interpretations. But why do we have emotions? Because emotions serve a purpose. They allow us to
- Adapt and survive. Fear motivates us to avoid danger. Happiness encourages us to seek out rewarding experiences.
- Connect with others. Emotions like empathy and compassion allow us to build relationships.
- Communicate. We express emotions through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.
But can we control our emotions? Not entirely. But we can learn to manage them. Please share what works for you or what did you try so far. Let's discuss and learn better to manage our emotions. I look forward to discussing them with you.
