Do you find it difficult to crawl out of an emotional hole when depression or negative self-image strikes? We all suffer from fleeting negative emotions sometimes; the blues are just a part of life. These four emotions are particularly bothersome, but we’ll show you how to turn them around and get on the sunny side of life fast.
Frustration, guilt, anxiety, and sadness – four of the most common negative emotions people experience time and time again. Whether it’s a bad day, a bad month, or even a bad year, it’s important not to over-focus on negative emotions, but putting that into practice isn’t always as easy. In this article, we’ll show you how to turn that frown upside-down without struggling.
Kick Those Negative Emotions to the Street and Keep Moving.
Frustration
Argh – frustration! We’ve all been there, either as the frustrated or the frustrator. We step on each other’s toes, make mistakes, fail, or just plain have a bad day, and it leads to feeling helpless and angry about it. There are a few ways to combat frustration; all of them involve not feeding the fire.
First, be mindful of what you’re feeling and why you feel that way. Is it possible something else is bothering you? Take a step back from yourself by walking away from the situation for a few minutes, if possible. Do something else and cool down.
Define exactly what made you upset, but don’t hold onto it like a grudge. When you return, you can attempt to calmly share your feelings with the other party. Keep it peaceful and ensure that everyone understands each other. Keeping your emotions pent up and unexpressed will only hurt you in the long run.
Guilt
Everyone makes mistakes. It may surprise you, but it’s actually good to make mistakes now and again. It means you’re a human being, just like everyone else! Feeling remorse can be awful, but it’s also just part of the human condition.
First, know that guilt is often excessive. Sometimes things aren’t as bad as they seem, so review the situation and try to reframe how you view it. Is it really the end of the world that you forgot your aunt’s birthday, or is it possible to apologize and move on because your aunt loves you, anyway?
Remember that you can’t control everything. Bad things happen to good people; sometimes, what happens at your hands either isn’t your fault at all or isn’t totally your fault. If you fall on ice and take someone down with you, it’s the ice to blame, not either of you.
Lastly, recognize that guilt can and does pass. Share your feelings with someone you can trust, even if they’re only listening and can’t do anything to change the scenario. It will help you to get it off your chest, if nothing else.
Anxiety
Anticipation is the worst, isn’t it? Feeling a little anxiety is unavoidable at times, but don’t let it keep you from acting. You have to do that interview or have “that talk” eventually, so you may as well do it sooner than later.
Feeling a prolonged or pervasive sense of anxiety can be crippling. Maybe you’re concerned about where you’re headed in life or dealing with a stressful event. Try to remember the big picture and work to achieve your personal goals, even if it’s only small steps. You’ll feel better once you get your mind off of the situation and start focusing on something that makes you feel accomplished.
Sadness
It’s completely natural to feel sad sometimes. It’s one of the many emotions we experience, but don’t let your sadness keep dragging you down. Do something that takes your mind off the situation. Feeding your mind is one of the best ways to replace sadness with something productive.
Searching for inspiration is another way to climb out of your hole. Find something that inspires you, or think about something that makes you feel creative. Maybe that’s drawing, playing an instrument, listening to an inspirational lecture, reading a book, or building something.
Everyone experiences negative emotions, even if you never suspect it from the outside. It’s important to realize that those feelings will pass, so occupy your mind with something positive in the meantime. You’ll come out the other side in no time, ready to live life to its fullest.
~Here’s to Your Success
