Emotions

Since as long as I can remember, emotions have been a sensitive area of my life. They are a long constant thread. From a child to a middle-aged man they play a significant part. 

Looking back I recall a generational stance which was to 'hide emotion'; “It’s a weakness.” I am a true believer now that emotions are an integral part of humanity. I have been told, “It’s ok to feel.” With the mixed messages I began to research our senses. Is it ok to tell someone with healthy hearing to stop hearing? When I pose this question it seems absurd. Though in reality, it’s the same. 

Unexpressed emotions lead to clogging within a person's world. It’s a common known fact that suppressed anger leads to depression. Similarly, anxiety or fear are linked to past trauma. Sometimes events that are beyond a persons control lead to intense debilitating shame. 

As a therapist, I have become increasingly aware that emotional health is promoted by providing a safe environment to process emotion. One place is group therapy. For me, it’s the perfect battleground to unleash stunted feelings. It’s transformative. I have witnessed the power of the group in action. The results are physical, psychological and visual changes that are so apparent it’s like a magic wand has been woven. 

With addiction, it’s the cornerstone of changing addiction to recovery. Beginning to feel again. Coming from the clouds and mist into the clearer snap of life. Some describe it as coming home after years of being on another planet. 

Once in touch with one's feelings the rebuilding process begins. We name each emotion and gain the growth of experiencing them in their entirety. A release occurs and we are no longer holding on to experiences which we may not have had a choice in. We start to create emotional intelligence. 

With this in tact, life begins to be lighter. Smiles appear. The spine straightens. Conversation flows. Bridges are built. The journey to potential is visualised. Optimism overrides the backlog of the past. Freedom, in other words. 

In life, having a purpose can be the driving force to reach goals. With 2020 in full effect the vision we’ve acquired can influence 2021. If you suffer from poor eyesight the suggestion is to gain some spectacles to clear the way. With that in mind if you are waking each day with a wretch in the pit of your gut then the spectacles you seek could be to voice your emotions. Don’t wait; act now. 

When you become familiar with sharing your feelings and learning ways to manage them, a balance and equilibrium filters in your life. Like, for instance, exercise for physical health: the more you practice the fitter you become.

Self-awareness is an important factor because acting on some feelings can cause people additional distress. A good resource for preventing impulsive actions due to uncomfortable emotions is to share with a therapist or trusted friend. This can help to defuse the emotion and make an informed decision on how to respond. Responding to an emotion, not reacting, is a good rule of thumb. 

Whether you prefer group therapy or working with a therapist one-to-one, counselling can help you connect with your emotions allowing you to express them in a supportive enviroment. Find out more about how counselling could help you.