It's not always easy to understand what you're feeling at a given moment. Sometimes we're blind to what we're feeling. Other times there are simply so many emotions tangled together that one doesn't know what to make of them. Either way, this confusion can be problematic. Worse, it can be harmful.
Why is it so important to be able to read our own emotions?
It has to do with what's called "emotional clarity." When we know our emotions, we can track how we're doing. This is crucial to mental health. Without emotional clarity, we can easily fall into the trap of negative thinking, which over time will affect mood and ability to rebound quickly to a more positive attitude. This kind of clarity is crucial to guarding against anxiety and depression.
When you understand your emotions, you can weigh them to discover whether you're in balance or not. The important thing is to notice when you're tending toward the negative so you can act on this quickly. You've probably already seen how this impacts your life in those times when you started the day in a bad mood, only to see it progressively worsen throughout the day. By the end of the day, you were likely grumbling, snapping at people, and feeling so lost in anger or depression that you didn't know what to do with yourself.
In other words, it’s easy for a negative emotion to pull in more negative emotions until you’re spiraling out of control.
Now imagine what happens when you’re aware of your emotions. You notice you’re a little flat or might be a bit out of sorts, and you now can act on this emotion. You can take steps to do something to bring up your mood, maybe by doing something simple like taking a break or calling a friend. Quick action can do wonders when putting yourself back on an even keel.
If you or someone you know needs help regulating their emotions, give us a call at (804 621-4249
