| Emotional self-care: what is it? |
| Emotional self-care is, to put it simply and clearly, taking care of our feelings and emotions. It’s how we compassionately react to the states of our body and mind. |
| Let’s first clarify the distinction between feelings and emotions in order to do that. According to Psychology Today, “Emotions and feelings are two distinct but related phenomena, even though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Sensations in the body are the source of emotions. Though they originate from our concepts in the mind, feelings are impacted by our emotions. |
| Example: You notice the emotion of discomfort while at a party as your stomach clenches and your breathing gets constricted. Then your mind labels that as feeling awkward because perhaps you don’t know many people there, or you just saw an ex-boyfriend. However, someone else experiencing the same emotional body sensations can describe the encounter as exciting because they get to see their ex again or meet new people. |
| Ways to Practice Emotional Self-Care |
| 1. Practice awareness |
| Being conscious of a problem is the first step towards addressing it or making it better. We become so engrossed in our ideas that we lose track of the feelings emanating from our bodies. |
| Carrying out a body scan is an excellent way to exercise awareness. I advise you to do this whenever you can, at least once a day. |
| Basically, a body scan is giving attention to each part of your body from top to down slowly and individually. From the top of your head to your toes. |
| 2. Write your emotions and how you feel |
| I find that writing, especially writing about how I’m feeling, is a really fulfilling practice. It has through the years helped me understand how my emotions influence what I think and feel. |
| What you can do is write about how your day was at the end of every day and focus on any of the particular moments where you experienced stronger emotions and feelings. This can assist you in identifying trends, evaluating the motivations behind your reactions, and figuring out how you wish to handle similar circumstances going forward. |
| 3. Connect to the moment |
| One of the great ways of being mindful is deep breathing. Simply existing in the present moment without passing judgment is mindfulness. |
| Breathe through your nose, roll your shoulders, and let your body relax. Try to notice the sensations in your body without trying to change them. Keep breathing and just observe and accept them for who they are. |
| Another way to connect to the moment is to surrender control and observe everything as it is. Don’t think about what you should or should not do, just observe. This is something you can do anyplace. Your breathing will naturally slow down as you relax and become more present in the moment. |
| 4. Express your emotions to someone you trust |
| Oh, where would I be without my friends? I firmly, firmly know in my heart that when we share how we are with someone who listens and responds with empathy, our lives become so much easier. |
| My sincere pals have helped me get through some really tough days far faster and in better form than I could have on my own. |
| Please let the one person in your life who you feel comfortable confiding in to support you. You do not cause trouble. If they’re a good friend, they would be there for you just as you would be there for them. |
| 5. Take the right steps for your emotions |
| There are people and situations that no matter what you do will never change and will keep hurting you whenever you interact with them. |
| Choose to set boundaries to protect your heart. |
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Anna Godfrey 