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We all experience stress, leading to various physical and psychological reactions.
It can also affect our emotions.
Emotional stresscan be challenging because our ways of dealing with this stress can sometimes backfire.
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It can feel like a whirlwind of emotions threatening to engulf us.
The good news is that you’ve got the option to take steps to regain control.
Understanding emotional stress is the first step toward mastering it.
Symptoms of Emotional Stress
We all experience stress differently.
Because of this, symptoms of emotional stress can vary from one person to the next.
Recognizing some common signs of emotional stress is an integral part of figuring out how to manage it.
It’s important to remember that this pop in of stress doesn’t just impact your emotions.
It also affects your physical health, cognitive abilities, and relationships with others.
Our relationships greatly impact our livesfor better or for worse.
Relationships aren’t the onlycause of emotional stress, however.
Too much stress is linked to a whole host of serious health consequences, from cardiovascular disease to depression.
Research shows this to be an effective strategy for increasing individuals' ability to regulate themselves at the moment.
This practice, known as affect labeling, has been shown to help reduce the intensity of emotional distress.
Choose a color and take a stab at identify everything of that color.
Notice the smells in your environment, and observe the items around you in great detail.
When we feel emotional stress, it’s also often experienced as physical pain.
In some ways, this is true.
Sometimes, it can be as simple as giving yourself a break.
Reframe downtime into something that is productive.
Talk to your friends about the problem, if you’d like.
Andthentry some healthy distractions.
This technique works well for two reasons.
“Take out a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle.
In the left column, identify all the things that are not under your control.
This is a powerful antidote to feeling helpless and out of control when emotional stress hits.
In one technique known as ebb and flow, you visualize yourself by the ocean’s shore.
As you breathe in, you imagine the waves rolling in and bringing a sense of calm.
You envision the waves carrying away your stress and anxiety as you exhale.
These techniques will allow you to relax, transport yourself, find tranquility,” Anderson-Kahl explains.
Get Support From Friends and Family
Social connections are vital for mental health and managing emotional stress.
When you start to feel overwhelmed, reach out to friends and family members who can help.
When we feel stressed out,having support from other peoplecan help build us up.
We feel stronger and better able to deal with the challenges we’re facing.
Plus, we know we have someone to turn to for comfort and validation.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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