Emotions of the Heart is a monthly eNewsletter series provided to consumers who complete Banner Health’s Heart Age Test. Silent Heart Someone once said, “When somebody cries, it’s not just over one thing. It’s built up anger and emotions that they’ve been holding in for too long.” Suppressing intense feelings can actually take a toll on your body. While it may not be a good idea to express yourself fully in all situations — think with a customer, a family member or a difficult coworker — a long-term approach of emotional suppression can be taxing on your physical and emotional health. Being able to recognize some of the signs of stress associated with bottling up emotions will help you to manage stress and anxiety, as well as improve your overall health. Signs of stress include: Headaches Muscle pain and tension Sleep problems Upset stomach Sadness or depression Lack of motivation or focus Angry outbursts So what can you do to prevent stress and express your emotions in a healthy way? Psychologist Gay Hendricks, PhD, and founder of the Hendricks Institute, says it’s possible to “make a distinction between feeling your feelings and expressing them.” There are ways to express your feelings without sending your blood pressure or your stress levels skyrocketing. Here are a few ways to cope with the stress of bottled-up emotions: Be honest about how you are feeling. If you are feeling angry or sad, don’t try to hide your emotional responses from yourself. Acknowledge your feelings. When you have a strong emotional reaction, it’s better to identify your true feelings and reflect on what is prompting them rather than unleashing them on someone else. If you know you will be a part of a stressful situation, talk about it with someone else in advance. Talk about what you think will happen and go through each scenario to predict what emotions you may be feeling during the conversation. When all else fails, be neutral. When you acknowledge that someone feels strongly about a particular subject, it can be better to sit back and ask questions rather than argue. Look at it as a way to learn more about the person and yourself. When you are feeling your emotions rise, don’t forget to breathe. Taking a few deep breaths can quiet the stress response that is triggered within your body when you are faced with a stressful situation. Econnect@bannerhealth
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:44:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015