62: "Manage Your Reactions, But do not Suppress Your Emotions."

The Difference Between Managing and Suppressing Emotions: Many people are confused about the distinction between managing and suppressing emotions. A common misconception is thinking that managing means hiding feelings or expressing them intensely.

The Consequences of Suppressing Emotions: Suppressing emotions involves denying their existence, which is not a long-term solution. Much like holding a beach ball underwater, emotions can resurface unpredictably and potentially harm oneself or others.

The Impact on Mental and Physical Health: Suppressing emotions can lead to physical symptoms and, in the long run, contribute to stress-related illnesses. Emotions play a significant role in overall health.

Identifying and Naming Emotions: Most people can only identify basic emotions like sadness, anger, and happiness. However, increasing emotional maturity involves probing deeper to understand more nuanced feelings.

Noticing How Emotions Feel in the Body: Pay attention to how emotions manifest physically in your body. Understanding bodily sensations associated with emotions is a key step in processing and managing them.

Choosing to Act Rather Than React: Managing emotions involves consciously choosing how to respond to them. Emotions drive actions. Identifying the emotion helps us to identify and communicate the underlying need.

The Power of Emotional Management: Effectively managing emotions leads to solutions rather than problems.

Practicing Emotional Management: Emotional management is a skill worth developing over time. It takes practice, but is worth the effort.