5 effective steps to manage your emotions

Learning to manage emotions is essential for our psychological well-being. Because not doing so is, without a doubt, one of the greatest sources of discomfort in all facets of human life. But despite the various discomforts that can cause us (the undesirable ones such as fear), we must understand that emotions They are a normal response of our brain to external or internal, physical or psychological changes that are generated in our lives.

I invite you to reflect a bit, let's try to remember how many times our emotions took control of our mind, and only after a period of time we discovered that perhaps the response could be disproportionate or inappropriate for the real magnitude of the event. The milk is spilled, as our parents would say, but let's analyze what the cost was emotional, financial and well-being of that extra insult, that unnecessary retaliation, that call ex. Surely you have discovered with horror that the lack of emotional management really costs us very, very expensive.

• We recommend you read: "Emotions: 5 emotional ingredients in the sauce of life"

How to learn to manage our emotions

And that is why one of the best investments we can make for our general well-being is to dedicate time and resources to improving our emotional skills. Here are some suggestions for managing your emotions:

1. Identify your emotions

Acknowledging what you are feeling is the first step in managing your emotions. Try to identify your emotions so that you can understand them better. A very useful strategy to become aware is the development of an emotional log; that it is nothing more than writing in a safe place, a physical or digital notebook, your emotional experiences and what triggered them, and after a time with this practice, you will be able to discover recurring patterns and situations that will give you clues as to what changes you could make in your life.

2. accept your emotions

It is essential to accept that all emotions are valid, even those that we consider negative. Don't try to suppress or ignore them, but don't let them dominate you either. This point is, in my opinion, one of the most important, since it implies communicating with ourselves and others without the mask of the false ego; the one that generates inefficient communication, that I know things that the other does not know, and by not sharing them, it is impossible to create solid and deep bonds in a relationship.

3. Communicate your emotions

Talking with someone you trust about what you are experiencing can be very helpful in processing your emotions.. If you are not comfortable talking to someone, you can also keep a journal. In this section it is of vital importance that I know of a communication from emotional honesty; because if you don't really express what you feel, there will be no greater benefit from talking to someone else.

4. Find healthy ways to express your emotions

Creative expression, meditation, and physical exercise are some healthy ways to channel your emotions. You must think of emotions as the battery of your cell phone, if you charge it to the maximum and keep it in a dark place; That charge will last a looooong time. But if instead of saving it, you used it to watch online videos, surely the battery would be drained quickly. In a metaphorical sense, the same thing happens with our emotional energy, if we channel it into other activities, we will be able to lower their intensity and we will be able to act with greater rationality and assertiveness.

5. Seek professional support

If you are aware that your emotions are having a negative effect on your life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.. A therapist or counselor can help you develop strategies to manage your emotions effectively. If you want to improve the quality of your personal and interpersonal relationships, your emotional education is fundamental, and as many indicate studies on the subject, your emotional competencies are more decisive for success and well-being than your IQ or advantages economic.

So make room in your agenda and give the acquisition of these tools a chance. And remember, it's not repressing or hiding your emotions; is to manage and face them, listen to their message (example: This is dangerous, don't jump) and act accordingly. in a manner consistent with such information, because remember, your emotions are your allies, not your enemies.