Here’s the thing… emotions are energy.
Where we run into problems is when this energy remains trapped inside.
In an attempt to manage my emotions, I spent many years turning towards self-harming behaviours, or substances like alcohol. That did not work.
What did work is something that I refer to as the big 3.
1. Walk
Sometimes we just have to leave the confines of four walls and get outside. Walking is one of the most effective ways to release intense emotions. Actually, exercise in general wakes up the system, makes you feel alive and allows your body to function normally again.
Stomp your feet, get grounded, and feel the earth beneath your feet. If there is a breeze, envision it rolling off you and let it take away any of your negative energy.
2. Talk
For years one of my greatest downfalls was that I never talked about my struggles and I refused to ask for help.
As a result, who suffered more than anyone else?
Think about this. Have you ever reached out to a friend after a tough day, and for 10 minutes you just talked? They said nothing the entire time and once you were done you sat back and thought, “Well, I feel better!”
Why?
Because there was a release. They did nothing, and yet they did everything.
Today, I am convinced that our voice is one of our greatest tools.
3. Write
Countless studies have proven that the act of writing leads to significant improvements in both psychological and physical health. There were many times that I didn’t want to talk to anyone about what I was feeling. Plus I have always struggled with trusting people, but that’s a separate conversation.
Here’s the nice thing with writing; you can tell a piece of paper anything. Don’t think about what you are writing, just write. Once done, rip it up, burn it, bury it, put it in a balloon. I don’t care. All of these represent an act of letting go.
Lastly, sometimes it’s easier writing to someone you don’t really know. If you need a place to vent, feel free to send me a message through my website. Perhaps I can point you in the right direction, and if nothing else you were able to release some of those emotions in a healthy way.
Together, we will rise above.