Parents are the foundation of their children’s emotional development.
If parents are not in tune with their own emotions, they cannot fully understand or respond to their child’s emotional needs. Here are 4 ways parents can become more aware of their own emotions:
1) Name it to tame it.
The first step is always awareness. You cannot change what you are not aware of.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated, disappointed, hurt or any other difficult emotion, take a step back and name it. Instead of letting the feeling take over, label it for what it is. This will help you to gain some perspective and see that it is just a feeling, not a fact. Once you have named the feeling, you can start to work on taming it. You can do this by focusing on your breath and grounding yourself in the present moment. Noticing your thoughts and feelings without judgment will help them to dissipate and eventually disappear. So the next time you find yourself in the midst of a tough emotion, remember to name it to tame it.
2) Don’t stuff it.
Acknowledge your feelings and then let them go. Don’t try to bottle them up or ignore them. That will only make them worse.
We live in a society that tells us to bottle up our emotions and not show them to anyone. We’re told that it’s weak to show our feelings, and so we try to stuff them down inside of us. But that only makes them worse. When we don’t acknowledge our emotions, they fester inside of us and come out in other ways. We might lash out at the people we love or become withdrawn and depressed. Becoming aware of our emotions is the first step to dealing with them in a healthy way. Once we’re aware of how we’re feeling, we can begin to let those feelings go. We can allow ourselves to experience the full range of our emotions without judgement or shame. And when we do that, we open ourselves up to a more fulfilling and enriching life.
3. Pay attention to your body.
Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you. Physical sensations are often the first indicators of an emotional state. If you notice that your heart is racing or that you are tense, it may be a sign that you are feeling agitated or anxious. By learning to recognize these early warning signs, you can take steps to prevent your emotions from spiraling out of control. Practice mindfulness and become attuned to the subtle changes in your body and mind. With time and practice, it will become second nature and you will be better equipped to deal with whatever life throws your way.
4. Keep a journal.
Writing about our emotions can help us to process them and understand them better. It can also be a helpful way to look back and see how far we have come emotionally over time.
The value of emotional awareness can never be underestimated. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to stop and check in with ourselves emotionally. That’s why I always advocate for taking some time out each day to journal. Writing about our emotions can help us to process them and understand them better. It can also be a helpful way to look back and see how far we have come emotionally over time. When we are more aware of our emotions, we can better manage them and stay in control of our lives. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to sit down with a pen and paper and let it all out. You might just be surprised at how much better you feel afterward.
How to Tame those Emotional Triggers
It is so important that we take control of our emotions and not allow our emotions to control us. When we are emotionally triggered, it can feel like we are being pulled in a million different directions and we can’t think straight.
However, there are steps that we can take to gain control of the situation.
First, it is important to recognize what is happening.
Second, we need to take a step back and breathe. This will help to clear our heads and allow us to think more clearly.
Third, we need to identify the root cause of our emotions. Once we know the cause, we can begin to work on addressing it.
Finally, we need to find a healthy outlet for our emotions. This could be journaling, talking to a friend, or participating in a favorite hobby.
By taking these steps, we can begin to gain control over our emotions and our lives.
Conclusion
Finally, Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself emotionally will make it easier for you to take care of others emotionally as well. Make sure to schedule time for activities that make you feel calm and happy, such as reading, spending time outdoors, or listening to music.
It’s easy for moms to put themselves last. But your children need and want you to feel at your best. The world needs you.
Mastery Martial Arts
For the last 30 years, we have been partnering with parents to help them equip their children with the skills they need to succeed in life. We believe that by teaching children the importance of discipline, respect, and self-control, we can help them become stronger mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. We are dedicated to helping parents nurture their children’s potential and develop into leaders who are capable of making a positive difference in our world. We invite you to click here and join our Mastery FB community to learn more.