Neglecting negative emotions can lead to an amplification effect, hindering resilience and relationships.
Emotional agility involves accepting and processing negative emotions thoughtfully, fostering resilience and well-being.
Deep dives
Embracing Negative Emotions
Neglecting negative emotions can lead to an amplification effect, worsening our well-being. When we ignore these emotions, they compound and hinder resilience and relationships. Two common responses to negative feelings are 'bottling', where emotions are pushed aside, and 'brooding', where individuals get stuck in negative emotions, both damaging well-being. Emotional wisdom involves accepting and processing negative emotions rather than suppressing or fixating on them.
Developing Emotional Agility
Emotional agility helps in responding effectively to daily thoughts and emotions. By holding emotions lightly and recognizing their messages, individuals can navigate situations more effectively. It involves being curious about emotions, acknowledging them without judgment, and understanding their underlying function. Emotional agility allows individuals to respond thoughtfully to challenges, fostering resilience and well-being.
Understanding Emotional Signals
The concept of 'what the funk' emphasizes understanding the function or signal embedded in emotions. By accurately labeling emotions and deciphering their messages, individuals can align their behaviors with their values and needs. Grief, loneliness, or stress can act as signposts pointing towards unmet values, guiding individuals towards fulfilling actions. Delving into emotional signals helps individuals live authentically and purposefully.
Recognizing and Cultivating Values
Acknowledging and embracing discomfort as part of a meaningful life journey is crucial. Distinguishing between dead people's goals and personal values aids in aligning behaviors with what truly matters. Developing emotional acceptance and responding to discomfort with curiosity and compassion prevents avoidance tactics. Cultivating values through emotional awareness paves the way for authenticity, resilience, and purposeful living.
Uncomfortable emotions such as anger, guilt or loneliness are like the guiding beam of a lighthouse - they warn you of dangers ahead and help you navigate a meaningful life more effectively.
Harvard Medical School psychologist Susan David tells Dr Laurie Santos why many of us choose to ignore negative feelings or suppress them - when we should be engaging with them in a way that helps us understand what is going wrong in our lives and what we need to do to fix things and find greater happiness.