Let go- The longer you keep your emotions bottled up, the more prone you are to have to deal with them longer, or worse- explode later. Share your feelings when they first come up. It’s much easier for a friend to consult you when you come forward early instead of spending hours digging through what the real issue may be. More so, USE YOUR FRIENDS! They love you for a reason; they want to see you happy and healthy. You’re never too old, too far away, or too busy to call up a girlfriend for a chat. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings with others, write them down, get them out in a journal, in a drawing, however it feels right. You can always burn the paper afterwards.
Count to calm- It sounds silly, stopping yourself to count to 10 to calm down. It’s a commonly used suggestion, but how often do we use it? The truth is, emotions can resurface anywhere. Ever been in a professional situation and had an emotional memory triggered and almost lost it? Count to 10. Do not feel ashamed to take some relaxing breaths and compose yourself. More so, it will prevent you from actions you may regret later.
Help- This little word may be one of the hardest for many women to say. Admitting that we can’t take it all on and could use someone to lessen the load isn’t a thought in the front of our minds. Most women take on much more than they can or should chew because they think they can or don’t want others to be involved (or mess things up). Sadly, most of the time women don’t realize they are overloaded until they are knee deep in commitments. Remember that you CAN ask for help at any time. A helping hand doesn’t mean giving up either. Getting someone to step in to cover carpooling while you run out and get snacks for Timmy’s soccer game can keep you involved without putting too much on your plate. Try to recognize what may be too much before you sign up, and break up your tasks into smaller portions to accomplish them easier.
Self-talk therapy- One of the best methods to controlling emotions. Step out of what’s worrying you, and coach yourself through it. It’s ok, there’s next time, you’ll be alright. As simple as it sounds, taking a minute to reassure yourself and your emotions can be very beneficial. Try to steer away from being self condescending. Recognize that it’s ok to feel how do feel, and focus on being accepting of the situation and think about phrases you can mentally repeat to look forward to the future.
Taking Care- Often when emotional situations attack, so does stress. However, keeping up with your usual routine, eating well, sleeping enough and getting to the gym will help you bounce back from any mental setback much faster than the couch potato technique. Of course we all have our moments when ice cream and sweatpants call to us. Try to meet these cravings in moderation. It’s much easier to get back to your normal self if you surround yourself with normal activities.
