Emotions play an integral part of each of our lives.
On some days, our emotions are fun, relaxed, and joy-filled, while other days bring anxiety, sadness, and anger.
Learning how to properly work through these emotions is one of the essential aspects of personal development. In doing so, you will improve in every area of your life because emotions play such a large role. It takes patience, practice, and persistence, but learning to work through emotions can be a life-changer.
WHAT IS AN EMOTIONAL STATE?
The state of a person’s emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection).
An emotional state can impact our thoughts, actions, and moods.
In and of themselves, emotional states are not ‘good’ or ‘bad.’
Emotions are there for a reason and can benefit us (if we don’t go overboard with them).
It’s when emotions, especially one’s such as anger or anxiety, become prolonged that can have a negative long-term effect on our mood.
TYPES OF EMOTIONS
There are dozens of different emotions we can feel.
Some of these emotions are a combination of two or more other emotions.
There are many theories and research on emotions and what is characterized as one.
The latest research showed at least 27 different and distinct human emotions.
- Admiration
- Adoration
- Aesthetic appreciation
- Amusement
- Anxiety
- Awe
- Awkwardness
- Boredom
- Calmness
- Confusion
- Craving
- Disgust
- Empathetic pain
- Entrancement
- Envy
- Excitement
- Fear
- Horror
- Interest
- Joy
- Nostalgia
- Romance
- Sadness
- Satisfaction
- Sexual desire
- Sympathy
- Triumph
3 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE
IDENTIFY AND ACCEPT THE EMOTION
One useful tip I learned from my favorite therapist regarding changing your emotional state and emotional regulation is to first identify the emotion.
This may seem silly, but there is a good reason behind it.
Downplaying or ignoring emotions won’t help you regulate them.
Accepting emotions (especially intense ones) can help you become more comfortable with them. And when you can fully feel these emotions without reacting in extreme or harmful ways, it’s a win for you and everyone around you.
One helpful tip is to think of emotions as little messengers. They are not “good” or “bad,” they’re simply neutral even if they sometimes bring up unpleasant feelings.
Accepting emotions has health benefits, including greater life satisfaction and few mental health symptoms.
They also may lead to higher levels of happiness.
CHANGE YOUR PHYSICAL STATE
Our minds and bodies are interconnected in a multitude of ways.
When you’re experiencing an undesirable emotional state such as stress, anxiety, or anger, it’s important to try and regulate your body to calm your mind down.
Changing your physical state will be different from person to person – for some, it may be as simple as standing up and walking around. For others, it may be going on a hike or exercising. Sometimes simple breathing techniques are enough to help change your emotional state.
KEEP A MOOD JOURNAL
Typing up or writing down your emotions and the responses they trigger is helpful because it can show you any disruptive patterns.
Mood journaling also helps to show you what situations (or people) cause you to become more triggered or experience harder-to-control emotions.
It’s important to remember that journaling provides the most benefit when you consistently do it every day. If you skip around, you won’t get as much quality data. But if you do it daily, you’ll be able to look back months later and see trends and patterns.
Mood journaling means you’re in it for the long game. It takes weeks and months to collect enough data to make it worthwhile, but I’m here to tell you, the wait and time spent tracking your moods is well worth the payoff later on.
I wrote an entire article on mood journaling alone to help you better understand what it is and how it can help you.
IN REVIEW
When trying to change your emotional state, it’s key that you understand it takes daily effort. You can make a few minor changes one day and then completely ignore them the next. Stick to the journaling, identifying and accepting emotions and physical activity (so long as your body permits). If you feel lonely or sad, go for a walk. If you are anxious or confused, identify the emotion and accept it. And if you are triggered or angry, keep a detailed food journal of what triggered you, the time of day, and the feelings that accompanied it.
If you have any questions or would like a free life coaching consultation – contact me at brad@upplifter.com.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
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