Strategies for Effective Emotional Control
In the realm of emotional management, a fresh perspective is emerging that views emotions not as obstacles to rationality, but as essential messengers that provide crucial information and guide our actions.
These messengers, our emotions, communicate important information about our physical and psychological state, as well as the meaning we assign to current circumstances. They serve as vital signposts, directing our actions effectively [1].
Emotions also carry signals about our needs and limits, helping us understand when to engage or withdraw, protect ourselves, or seek support. Different emotions, such as fear, anger, and sadness, have distinct evolutionary roles, functioning as goal-directed action prompts that have evolved to enhance survival and well-being [3].
Recognizing and accepting emotions as messengers is key to emotional regulation, allowing us to respond deliberately rather than impulsively. When emotions hijack the brain, they can override reasoning and compel quick, often regrettable actions. Awareness of this allows us to pause, label the emotion, and regain control [1].
By facing our emotions, knowing that there is a need that is important to us and requires action, we can accept and face it with genuine curiosity, without judgment. Compassion or love can serve as a motivation to put a stop to suffering.
Attending to oneself first is crucial for efficient emotional management. By being aware of our body signals, we can bring ourselves to the present moment and recognise what is happening. Learning to recognise and manage our response to altered emotional states is key.
Each person has their own and very particular set of needs, which also transform with each life experience. Understanding emotions as signals that indicate actions to attend to can help in feeling what we feel without rejection and stopping suffering.
In summary, emotions are functional signals that guide behaviour by conveying vital information and prompting adaptive actions. Emotional management depends on acknowledging these messages, understanding their purpose, and regulating responses to align actions with our goals and values.
References:
[1] Gross, J. J. (2015). The psychology of emotion. Wiley.
[2] LeDoux, J. E. (2015). Synaptic self: How our brains become who we are. Viking.
[3] Panksepp, J. (2011). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotion. Oxford University Press.
[4] Baron-Cohen, S., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Lombardo, M. V. (2013). Understanding other minds: Perspectives from developmental social neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
[5] Damasio, A. (2019). The feeling of what happens: Body and emotion in the making of consciousness. Vintage.
Emotions, guided by psychology, function as essential signposts in our health-and-wellness journey, conveying crucial information about our physical and mental state. They serve as vital prompts for adaptive actions in the realm of mental health, with different emotions like fear, anger, and sadness having unique roles in enhancing survival and well-being. Acknowledging emotions as messengers and managing responses to align actions with our goals and values is crucial for effective emotional regulation.
