8 Positive Ways To Deal With Your Negative Emotions

Some days you feel like you might just lose your cool because you’re so sleep deprived, stressed out and overwhelmed. But instead of melting yourself down, read on to find eight simple and effective ways to deal with your feelings and to find your inner peace.

1. Realize That Emotions Are Natural:

During your childhood you must have learned that expressing emotions was not expected of you with messages like “big girls don’t cry,” or “I’ll give you something to cry about.” But emotions are just normal function of the body. And all feelings are rooted in just three emotions: anger, sadness and fear. Expressing them is perfectly normal, even healthy, Bijou said.

2. Have A Plan B:

There  are some inevitable events like tantrums, meltdowns and sibling fights,and if you anticipate and plan ahead, you’ll be more equipped to handle tough situations. Some ideas: throw your tantruming tot into the bath and let him or her play while you take your own time out or take a trip to the park during the witching hour.

3. Rationalize Your Expectations:

You’ll only set yourself up for frustration and disappointment if you’re trying to be the perfect mom and follow every piece of advice you hear. Instead, reevaluate and do what’s realistic for your family.  Don’t think about how it should be; look at how it is.

4. Take A Break:

If stuck at home with the kids on a rainy day then set the kids up with any activity and take a 20 minute break to read a magazine, take a bath or call a friend. Any way that you find brings you comfort and support, take it.

5. Take It Easy:

According to a recent Oxford University study, a good belly laugh releases mood-boosting endorphins and can even help relieve pain. It’s OK to see the fun in the dysfunction, because if you don’t, you will set yourself up for an absolute crack up.

6. Dissipate The Energy:

Moving the energy out of the body in a physical way—much like a child does—is an effective way to deal with emotions as compared to counting to 10 or taking deep breaths, which are surprisingly ineffective . It breaks that grip that the emotions have on you.
So if you’re angry, push your hand against the door jam, stomp your feet on the floor, pound your fist into the mattress or just say, “Ughh!” If you’re feeling blue, have a good cry. For fear, instead of tightening up your body, shake and shiver it out. Are the kids around?  Go into another room or explain that you’re upset and that it will pass in a minute.

7. Learn To Accept:

It’s difficult to discipline your child when your emotions are running high, but if you accept his or her behavior in the moment, it will become much  easier to communicate the way you want him or her to act.  Instead of thinking that she should be different, you should comprehend, ‘That’s the way she is.’ Re-orient your thinking into acceptance rather than expectation.

8. Seek Help:

Twenty-eight percent of stay at home moms and 17 percent of working moms say they’re depressed. If you feel like you just can’t get a handle on your emotions, reach out to family or friends for support or seek professional help.