How to Manage Negative Emotions?

Why do we experience emotions?

Emotions are internal state of mind in response to external stimuli. If the stimulus is a threat to survival of a being then negative emotions surges. If there is no threat detected mind remains in positive state of emotions. In biological terms, emotions are nothing but the biochemical reactions triggered in brain in response to external stimuli. Anger, aggression, hate, jealousy are negative emotions which arise due to anticipation of some threat to the survival of the being while the positive emotions like love, compassion, empathy arises when there is a feeling of security and absence of any threat. Our mind is basically hardwired from the primitive times, to detect any danger and to help in the survival of a being.

Are negative emotions bad or good?

Emotions are the part and parcel of human existence as explained in above section. In fact this is one of the most important qualities which differentiate humans from machines or robots. Emotions allow us to explore and feel life very closely. It is very healthy to recognize and be aware of our emotions from moment to moment.

When we maintain a positive and peaceful state of mind, we enjoy our surroundings and feel well bonded with people around and find things more beautiful. While, when our mind experience negative emotions we simply find this whole world as our enemy and we feel irritated and out of control and feel less bonded with people around. Majority of the world problems are due to bad handling of negative emotions. People do not know how to handle these emotions either they try to suppress or react thoughtlessly, which further aggravates a situation.

How to manage?

Being a normal human, it is perfectly all right to have negative emotions rather we should learn how to manage them better. Whenever you feel any negative emotion, try to practice following tips

· Accept and recognize

Accept the fact that you are experiencing negative emotions. Recognize and try to give name. If you are feeling bad, angry, jealous, depressed, whatever feeling, just say to you, "I am feeling 'name of the feeling" and take a deep breath.

· Do insightful analysis

Ask yourself following:

What is the exact source?

Is it some person, situation, hurtful comment, some past injury which has once again surfaced your helplessness over a situation or some failure, frustration or some completely unrelated situation which you are not able to recognize? Keep asking until you reach the root and source of it. I am sure; if you do this you would come to know the exact cause and you will feel more empowered to handle it further.

Think of handling it

Ask yourself, "how can you make yourself better in this state?"

or

What did you do last time when you came across such emotion in past?

Or

Is it a new situation and never occurred in past?

If you faced the same situation in the past, you will be able to handle it better this time, if it is a new situation, you will be able to create a new way of handling the situation.

Once you practice above tips, you will find that you are actually developing the muscle of your mind to handle negativities more gracefully. With constant practice, it will become your habit to think better and better before responding to situations since you are telling your mind that such negative situations are not threat to survival.

What are the benefits of managing?

1. You will have better control over your emotions and reactions.
2. You can face aggressive and rude people more confidently.
3. You will be able to maintain more positive and healthy relationships at work and home.
4. Less stress which means a healthier life.
5. Will be able to focus more on work rather thinking about hurts or retaliations.

Summary

It is very important to understand that you should not ignore and bury your negative emotions because at some point in time these emotions will back fire in one way or another and will trigger more of negative emotions. So, always try to face and accept these and think of managing them. It has been observed, that happier people are very good at managing negative emotions which actually helps them to have better bonding with people around. To live a healthy and happy life, it is essential that you start countering your negative emotions with full force and create more positive energy in your surroundings or environment.

Seema Bhatnagar