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Dealing with powerful emotions can be
challenging, especially when we are going through chaotic, sad, or cruel
experiences in our lives. Often, it can seem like we have only two
options for dealing with our feelings, so they don’t become too
overwhelming. We may let our feelings out in an immediate and visceral
way, or we may bottle them up by suppressing our emotions inside our
bodies. Most people make the second choice, repressing their feelings in
an attempt to deny them. The truth is — there are many positive ways to
deal with emotions, and experiencing your negative feelings doesn’t have
to constitute a negative experience. Denying your feelings is not only
unhealthy for the mind and the body, but it also may rob you of valuable
information you could be learning about yourself and your life.
Suppressing your emotions can even impede your short-term memory.
Acknowledging your feelings can help you better understand them and help
you recover naturally from change, stress, and grief.
If you find that facing your feelings
head on is proving too difficult during times of emotional distress, you
may want to explore alternative ways of expressing them. Otherwise, the
emotions you deny could morph into unconscious anger or self-hatred. Expressing
your thoughts to friends or family can be helpful. If you don’t feel
ready to share them, try giving them words by writing down what you are
feeling. Give whatever you are feeling simple words like “livid” or
“angry” or “excited.” You also can funnel your feelings into a creative
outlet, physical exercise, or chores. Even just accepting and speaking
your feelings out loud to yourself can be a healing release. In releasing
intense emotions, it is most beneficial to acknowledge the feelings,
allow yourself to feel them, and let the feelings go. Those who are
willing to experience and release their feelings without judgment also
find that their lives become less stressful. Breathing deeply, going for
a long walk, or doing a constructive task can help you respond to your
feelings in a healthy way.
While burying negative or uncomfortable
feelings can numb the pain, it also may inevitably dull your ability to
experience your more positive and pleasurable feelings. You may find
yourself afraid to open up in the future for fear of getting hurt. The feelings
we deny aren’t limited to anger and sadness. Suppressing our happiness or
excitement can be just as unhealthy. In learning how to express your
intense emotions in a healthy way, you are giving yourself the freedom to
fully experience the more joyful emotions that come with being alive.
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