09/02/2021
We are all emotional beings. Previously, it was understood that there were six distinct human emotions - happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise & disgust. But scientists have now found that the number is as many as 27.
Emotions like joy, happiness, love, anger, suprise, are mostly experienced with people & are visible enough to spot.
Emotions like jealousy, embarrassment, fear, anxiety, hatred, are mostly experienced in isolation.
When any emotion is intensified, it becomes very difficult to know or manage them. Therefore, it's important for them to first abate so that they become easier to understand as well as manage, control and direct.
I recomment my clients to use certain distraction techniques, which can lessen the magnitude of emotions that can get harmful, & return to them afterwards to act upon them (if required) which has proven to be effective.
Distraction techniques that you can administer:
1. Mental exercises such as backward counting of large digit numbers, picking a color/shape and naming items lying around, conscious of physicality (touching floor from the feet, touching the clothes and feeling it's texture), & recalling pleasant events (accomplishments, vacations, happy moments)
2. Watering plants, performing arts/activities soothing to the mind or body
3. Solving puzzles
4. Mindfulness breathing is an extremely helpful technique to regain emotional stability. It includes not only focussed breathing (keep in mind that there should be no forceful breathing, the flow must be natural) but also being aware of the nature of your breath.
Don't forget to return to your emotions after distracting yourself. Remember that these methods should be used on a temporary basis to reduce the strength of high-riding emotions.
When you feel okay, try to question your inner self & answer with utter honesty. Pick one question at a time. Do not agitate if you get clueless.
This will assist you in knowing & befriending uncomfortable emotions in a manner which can be beneficial for you.