The worst part of growing up is having to deal with stuff that you’d rather avoid. This stuff can be physical, like having to share office space with someone you loathe, or regularly interact with someone you’d rather avoid, as well as mental and emotional health. It is important that we learn how to deal with these unexpected stimuli without flying off the handle and potentially harming our futures. “A moment of passion” is an excuse that will only work for so long.
Mental and Emotional Health: The Healthy Way to Keep Your Wits About You
Usually, when people start talking about being passionate or having feelings that scare them, they are talking about sadness or anger. It is important to understand, however, that positive emotions and thoughts can also grow bigger than we’d like them to. Here are some tips and tricks to help you deal when your feelings and reactions stop being easy to control mental and emotional health.
Resist the Urge
In our most heightened moments, we are tempted to “go crazy.” We’re already out of control, right? Why not just really commit to that chaotic state? During these times it is tempting for us to switch from needing “a drink” to deciding to get very drunk, or very high.
Please know that this is a slippery slope. Experts caution that what starts as rare substance indulgences can quickly spiral out of control. If you find that your first instinct is to reach for alcohol or other illicit substances, know that you are not alone. Also. know that there are people who want to help you find a better way. Lean on them!
Healthy Anger
It is amazing how, when we get really and truly angry–furious even–our urge is to do something physical. We feel the need to run. We feel the need to hit and kick and bite. Know that this is a completely healthy reaction, but it is important that you not give in to that urge in a dangerous way
For instance, you should not vent your anger by hurting anybody else. Instead, channel that anger into your exercise routine or another healthy outlet. Writing down your anger, taking a kickboxing class, painting, going for a run–all of these are healthy options for venting your anger and helping yourself calm down.
Healthy Sadness
Sadness affects all of us, even those people who seem consistently happy and cheerful. When we get sad or are dealing with depression, crying is a natural response. It is also quite common to want to curl up and isolate ourselves from society.
First, know that taking a day or two to wallow by yourself is understandable and can be a healthy way to give yourself time to get your thoughts together. It is important, however, that you don’t let that isolation drag on. Go out into the world and talk to another human. This person doesn’t have to be a therapist or doctor (though if your depression is severe this is a good idea). Simply having a conversation with the cashier at the grocery store can do wonders for your mood.
Healthy Happiness
Is there such a thing as unhealthy happiness? Yes! This emotion is often referred to as mania and it describes what happens when people feel too “up.”
Understand that we don’t simply mean someone who is exceedingly cheerful because great stuff has been happening. Mania is not having a skip in your step. Mania is being so energized and hyperactive that you can’t calm yourself down–at least not easily.
What makes mania difficult is that it usually doesn’t end gently. Often mania will crash right down into depression. This is why it is important if you know you’re experiencing a manic episode, that you do your best to stick to your pre-determined schedule and that you call your therapist or doctor and let them know what you’re experiencing. Mania shouldn’t be self-treated.
As humans, we are emotional creatures. This is, most of the time, a good thing. It is when we start to lose our control Mental and Emotional Health over those emotions that we start to worry. Hopefully, the tips in this article will help you deal with unexpected surges in emotion.