Navigating your emotions

It is an emotional time, and you have every right to feel all the feels.

You may be fortunate to not have the ever-changing lockdown effect where you live in the world. You may have higher vaccination rates, and more options to travel through life as you see fit. For others you may be doing it tough trying to find your way through constant change. Trying to have hope but also living in fear and cancelling well laid out plans as you receive updates and developments.

This takes its toll.

It is ok to feel the ups and downs, you are on the emotional roller coaster. Our feelings and emotions are signs for us, not to be ignored or dismissed. Try to lean in with curiosity.

What lesson can you take from what you are feeling?

What gentle action can you take to help shift how you are feeling?

Emotions come first, non-consciously – they are signals on what is happening for you – and be aware, they are contagious. A high level of self-awareness is needed to help you navigate your emotions. You need to express self-compassion and accept your emotions for what they are with no harsh judgment on yourself.

              How would you describe what you are feeling?

Leading with curiosity, try to understand what you are feeling and why. Giving your feelings a label, expressing “I feel depleted… I feel frustrated… I feel helpless…” helps dampen down the activity in your limbic/emotion centre of your brain and helps activity increase in your pre-frontal cortex, the thinking part of your brain – this simple exercise will help you start to feel a little more at ease.

You may not have control or any significant influence on what is happening in the world or your external environment, but you do have control of your mindset.

              How do you change the way you are feeling?

There are several different ways we can help our mindset. It is always better to take a proactive approach and here are some of our recommendations:

-          Physical exercise, to increase those happy endorphins

-          Good quality sleep, allowing your brain time for its own housekeeping

-          Balanced diet, nourish your body, brain, and hydrate well

-          Connect, with family/friends and have fun, dance, laugh, let your inner child play

-          Rest, take regular breaks, time off social media and the news

 Importantly, don’t hide from your emotions or dismiss them when someone asks how you are doing. Be open and honest, it will help to share with a trusted friend.

               How are you feeling right now?