Four Ways to Let Go of Negative Emotions, Right Now
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Photos via Pinterest.
If you are stressed, worried, grumpy, angry or sad today,
this post is for you.
I’ve certainly had my share of days lately when I get
attached to negative emotions and can’t seem to shake whatever I am feeling. I
react when things don’t go my way, or get upset by the unexpected. I get
frustrated with others or myself, and feel disappointed.
Today, instead of staying there with that feeling and
dwelling on it, letting it control you… I invite you to try these simple practices.
1. Notice the breath. The breath is an
amazing tool for re-centering. Ask, How am I breathing right now? Can I slow
down my breath? Invite a deeper breath in through the nose, noticing how the
whole ribcage expands as the body fills up with fresh air. Notice at the bottom
of the breath, how you can pull the belly button in toward the spine, emptying
the lungs, squeezing out the breath. You are empty; you have released
something. Now, fill up. Bring in peace, ease, and a glowing calm that reaches
every part of your body. See if you can carry that sense of relaxed awareness –
and the physical practice of deep breathing – with you for at least 10 minutes,
and you’ll really calm down.
2. Actively practice gratitude. Bring to
mind what you are grateful for, right now. Things are rough, maybe you are truly
suffering, or maybe you are just overreacting – but despite that, there are blessings
surrounding you. What can you notice right now, and feel grateful for?
3. Separate yourself from what you are feeling.
Imagine your emotion as a leaf passing in the wind, or an ocean wave that
washes upon the shore. That leaf, or that wave, does not control you. Neither
do your emotions.
4. Talk to someone. Often things become
clearer when we communicate them. When I talk to loved ones, it helps me get
out of my own head, and out of my own way.
What helps you release negative emotions?
PS I’m sending you a big hug right now :)
This post was inspired by Zen Habits.
