Navigating Tough Emotions

Navigating tough emotions, especially conflict, has always been hard for me. But travelling on this path of wellness I've discovered ways to make this a much easier challenge to work through. The constant barrage of challenges from work, family, life, financial, medical, relationships etc if not dealt with can leave us with a mountain of chronic stress that we all know is of no benefit to us long term.

I guess in a nutshell, "How do we grow with all that what we go through?"

When a challenge strikes, which can be quite often, the feelings that arise such as anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, overwhelm, insecurity, grief, etc., how do we cope with them? How we relate and respond to these emotions is the key, and looking at the changes that arise from this perspective has helped me immensely.

Through mindfulness practices we can learn how to tolerate, manage and respond in a positive way to the emotions that come our way. I find if I welcome the negative emotions with curiosity and name the emotion (this will help the brain to respond and to regulate and gives you something to work with)... What is this feeling? Why am I responding this way? I can then acknowledge that feeling and activate my toolkit. I will offer myself kindness to begin with and think about how I am right now in the present moment. I offer no self-judgement. If you can take the time to feel where you are holding tension in your body around these feelings... begin to concentrate on these areas and start to soften them (your tummy, shoulders, facial muscles, legs) through deep breathing exercises and relaxation.

If we can accept the emotions that pop up we will have better mental health later on. Our resilience will be stronger. Do you feel better if you worry? or can you look at delving into working through this worry?

I know that meditation has huge benefits and a daily practice has been my god send for many years now. Some days I feel I have no time to sit for 10 minutes and just be in the present moment of peace, calm, clarity and a sense of having some time just for me but when I think about the benefits for myself, I jump on my cushion and I spend that time. Mindfulness creates balance, relaxation, calm, curiosity and in particular loving-kindness meditation brings a sense of connection and love for self and for others. We learn that through self-compassion brings peace, meaninfulness and awareness. Also when I meditate I place a hand on my heart and a hand on my belly and this touch supports the nervous system by decreasing stress hormones, inflammation and offers further loving-kindness and reassurance.

Life will always throw us change, challenges and situations out of our comfort zones but use the skills mentioned above to accept the emotions with curiosity and to face them with positivity.

If you would like further information on mindfulness please get in contact. I would love to share more with you.

Sammi

xxx