In last week’s article, we talked about the difference between emotions and feelings and gave you steps 1 and 2 for mindfully dealing with difficult emotions. This week, we share steps 3-6. Here is part 2 of our 2-part series…
To refresh your memory of the first two steps:
Step 1: Turn toward the bodily reactions to emotions with ACCEPTANCE.
Step 2: IDENTIFY AND LABEL the emotion.
Step 3: ACCEPT your emotions.
Acknowledge and accept that an emotion is there, and your body’s reaction to it. If a friend or loved one was having a hard time, you wouldn’t shame them about it. You need to show that same kindness to yourself, and say “I did the best I could.” This difficult emotional response will not last forever. Once you accept the emotion and treat yourself with compassion, you should feel some of the tension leave your body as you calm and soothe yourself.
Step 4: Realize the IMPERMANENCE of your emotions.
Even if your body’s response to the emotion feels overwhelming, remember that it will pass. Opening yourself up to your body’s response grants your mind and spirit permission to work through your feelings toward that emotion, and makes the whole event more fleeting/ less permanent. The reality is that every emotion and your feelings about it are impermanent, but that’s easy to forget when you’re in the midst of a crisis.
Step 5: Inquire and INVESTIGATE.
After you have soothed yourself from the physical impact of your emotion, take a moment to explore your feelings about it. Perhaps you had a hard day at work or difficulty dealing with your family. Maybe you feel unappreciated, lonely, or disconnected. Investigating the root cause of your difficult emotions and the associated feelings will help you gain insight into what you are experiencing. To begin the investigation, ask yourself these questions:
Step 6: LET GO of the need to control.
The key to mindfully dealing with your difficult emotions and their ensuing feelings is to let go of your need to control them. Step outside yourself, and really listen to what your heart has to say about the situation.
Mindfully dealing with your emotions and their connected feelings takes time. Be patient with yourself. OHI shares many transformative classes and tools with guests to help them manage and process difficult emotions.
In these uncertain times, look to OHI as your safe haven. As we celebrate 44 years of holistic healing, we can teach you how to process difficult emotions and complicated feelings just as we can teach you how to achieve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual goals for optimal health. Stay safe, and be well. Above all, embrace positivity!
At Optimum Health Institute, we teach you all about detoxifying emotions. Learn how to feel, process, and understand the important role your emotions play in creating and maintaining health and well-being. Discover the healing power of forgiveness.
During your visit, our caring team can help you achieve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health. Visit our website at www.optimumhealth.org, and call us at (800) 588-0809 to make your reservation.