Written by: Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How can you manage your feelings if you do not understand or know what they are? Only about one-third of adults can accurately identify their emotions, according to the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0.
Maybe you were discouraged from expressing your feelings when you were growing up. Perhaps you judge yourself harshly for becoming irritated with your children or jealous of your partner.
Whatever the reason, bottling things up could be holding you back. Discover a new and more constructive approach to getting in touch with your emotions.
Exploring the Benefits of Connecting with Your Emotions:
1. Gain self-knowledge.
Increasing your self-awareness enables you to develop and grow. You can clarify your goals and direct your energies toward the activities that are meaningful to YOU. It is the first step in living with a sense of purpose instead of operating on autopilot.
2. Enhance your relationships.
Understanding yourself and others also makes greater intimacy (* into-me-see) possible. You will be more sensitive to how your loved ones are likely to react to any situation, and you will be able to provide more empathy and moral support.
3. Build emotional resilience.
Any challenge is easier to overcome when you can ascertain and regulate your emotions. You will have the motivation and the skills to deal with setbacks without letting them undermine your self-esteem.
4. Achieve more.
Emotional awareness also maximizes your productivity. You can collaborate effectively with others and make sound decisions under pressure.
Strategies for Identifying Your Emotions:
1. Name your symptoms.
Try to label what you are feeling. Make your language as specific as possible. Sadness could mean grieving for a lost pet or feeling listless on a rainy day.
2. Look deep within.
Keep in mind that your behavior may be deceptive if you tend to stuff down feelings that you think are inappropriate. For instance, do you hesitate to show affection because others might take advantage of you? Examine your true motives.
3. Listen to your body.
Physical sensations can reveal important clues about your emotional state. A clenched jaw and creased brows could indicate anger. Relaxed muscles and a warm glow suggest you are happy about something.
4. Meditate regularly.
Create a quiet time and place for exploring and acknowledging your emotions. Observe your feelings without making judgments.
Strategies for Sharing Your Emotions:
1. Talk it over.
Practice putting your emotions into words. Tell others how you feel and why. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable can be scary, but the rewards are worth it. You will connect on a deeper level and feel more secure. 2. Start small.
If certain subjects seem too sensitive, you can prepare yourself by discussing things that feel less risky. As you become more confident in your skills, you will be able to address larger issues with ease.
3. Work out.
In addition to conversation, physical activity can be another outlet for strong feelings. After a rough day at the office, invite your coworkers to join you for a CrossFit class or a long walk. Tensions may melt away without saying a word.
4. Do something creative.
Art projects can tell the world how you are feeling also. If you struggle with painting or sculpting, you can choose any medium that works for you. Pour your heart into baking cookies or designing a board game.
5. Seek coaching, therapy, or mentoring.
If you need more help dealing with your emotions, ask your friends for recommendations for a coach, therapist, or mentor you can talk with. Coaching and therapy can be a safe place to process past experiences and try out new behaviors.
You may feel uncomfortable temporarily as the emotions you have ignored come to the surface but stick with it. Increasing your emotional awareness will prepare you for a happier and more successful life.
For more info, follow Moira on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, join her Facebook Community or visit her website!
Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
As an Intuition Cultivator and Mindset Mentor, Moira Hutchison guides her clients to access the inherent power they have available when they ignite their personal trinity of trust, inner awareness, and self-confidence.
Moira works with professionals who have a feeling that there is something better in life for them, but they have no idea how to access it. However, they have a yearning to be guided by their intuition and align with their unique calling.
What makes her distinctive and different in this work is that she has developed the ability to take complex energetic and spiritual ideas and interpret them in ways that people find easy to understand, integrate and implement.
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