EMOTIONS CAN SEND YOU TO JAIL
We usually regret negative outbursts of emotions. Some people in jail today are there because in their split second emotional reaction to a provocation they did not allow time for retrospection. This leaves their dependants in a world of suffering, uncertainty and with a high possibility of yielding to negative influences as coping mechanisms. Had they delayed their response by a few minutes maybe they would not be incarcerated.
We are all bursting with positive and negative emotions and they can be beneficial to us but we are not to be controlled by them. Fear for instance can help us take necessary precautions to protect ourselves when we are faced with danger or its possibility and without it we would be careless or irrational in the face of danger. Anxiety can make us pay attention to details and be more prudent or frugal with resources.
However when negative emotions like fear, anger and so on become consistent in our lives, they are no longer healthy for us or for others around us in our families and in the society at large.
The Bible says, “Be angry but do not sin”. So all emotions are good but how we react to them is key to shaping our lives for a better society.
All emotions have triggers. A particular emotion may remain hidden in your life for years because it has not been triggered yet. Emotional triggers can come from events, people, smells, dates, colours, etc and can manifest in ways we least expect. It is crucial for us to learn how to respond to emotions and not to their triggers because we are not in control of them.
“He who controls his spirit is greater than a general who takes a city”. Again the Bible reminds us that anybody can display anger or valor but it takes extreme levels of self-control to handle our own emotions and put them in check.
If you respond to your emotional triggers, you are controlled by your emotions and this is dangerous for you and for those around you. This is critical for law-enforcement in particular.
HOW TO BETTER MANAGE OUR EMOTIONS
Acknowledge them:
Accept if you are angry or upset. Don’t repress your emotions. “Emotional repression can occur due to growing up in an environment where little or no room was given to experience and express emotions”
Educate yourself about them:
When you notice a change in how you feel, pause and name the emotion that has been triggered. Why do you feel the way you do because of what has just been done or said to you?
Understand how your body responds to emotions:
When our emotions are triggered, our body changes, and often our breathing changes with it. For example, if you are angry, your breathing can become faster and shallow. This change in the body sends the brain a message that 'something is wrong, and you need to do something about it'. It can be hard to think in a moment of intense emotion, and instead, we can intentionally shift our focus from our thoughts to our bodies. You can purposely use your breath to calm down vour body which helps to calm your thoughts.
Learn what triggers your emotions and avoid them:
If you know that a particular place or some particular people influence you negatively and make you vulnerable to yield to smoking, violence, drug use or other negative coping mechanisms, avoid that place or those people. Don’t think you can handle it. Think critically about the possible outcomes of your actions. Don’t just respond because you can. Don’t let pride destroy you. Think of your loved ones and others that may be affected by the possible negative repercussions resulting from your momentary expression.
- REVEREND C. NWACHUKWU, (CEO) CLMHAF
CREDIT - positivepsychology.com