4 Steps to Calmness: How to Control Strong Emotions
Emotions can truly overwhelm us, causing us to lose control of them (and so of ourselves) and plunge headlong into emotional reefs. I will tell you how to get back in the driver’s seat.
Anger, fear, anxiety, mental pain, bitterness of loss, longing for the lost, despair — these and a variety of other emotions can overwhelm you and render you immobile. Perhaps you wake up with one of these feelings, or it keeps you awake at night, prevents you from making a critical decision, or forces you to continually fuss to get away from it. Life is dominated by powerful emotions in all circumstances.
Feelings may be both our best friends and worst adversaries
Many people grew up in families where it was common practice to minimize or dismiss the value of emotions, as well as to overlook a child’s emotional needs. We would not be able to learn how to deal with and respond correctly to sentiments if they were not openly discussed.
As a result, many adults struggle with emotional issues: either all feelings are numbed, or, on the contrary, an emotional storm flares up from time to time, making it impossible to cope.
