This post is going to require your participation. Before reading more, let’s pause. Be still, close your eyes if you feel like it, and take a few deep breaths. Exhale one more time. The question to ask yourself; how are you feeling?
Only use one word answers to describe how you feel.
If possible write down the words that come to mind, or pay attention to what words stand out. As a reminder you can have opposite feelings at the same time. For example surprised, and anxious. It is normal.
Practicing this is a straight forward way to be aware of your emotions.
What are emotions?
Britannica defines emotion, as a complex experience of consciousness, bodily sensation, and behavior that reflects the personal significance of a thing, an event, or a state of affairs.
In their book “Discovering Psychology,” authors Don Hockenbury and Sandra E. Hockenbury suggest that an emotion is a complex psychological state that involves three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response.
Sybil’s Definition : Emotions are how we react to events or situations in life we experience.
What makes emotions important?
- Emotions helps us communicate with others
- Drive our actions: fight, flight, or freeze
- Helps in decision making
- The basis of how we live
- Give meaning to events
Seven ways to practice being aware of your emotions:
- You start an awareness diary where you write out your emotions and what you are feeling
- Practice saying how you are feeling outloud
- Develop your feelings vocabulary
- Track one emotion all day, or all week. Check how often you feel that way.
- Pay attention to how you feel as things happen in your day
- Set an awareness trigger: either a certain time of the day, with a person or using an alarm
- Don’t put your feelings in categories of good and bad: this is not a time to judge or shame yourself
Emotional Wheel
Sample for emotional journaling
Today I am feeling ________________ (use one word at a time)
I am feeling ___________________
Why did I do that _________________
What was I feeling during the movie _______________
When I got my new job I felt ___________________
After hearing the news today I was feeling ___________________
Use words from the emotional vocabulary wheel to fill in the blank as you become more aware of you emotions and build your emotional wellness.
I would love to hear if you have anything else we can add to the list for practicing emotional awareness. Share in the comments if this helped you.
“You are created to live an optimum life.”
Sybil F. Bull,
Optimum Cultivator.
Just Appetizers 