Nobody likes lingering emotions haunting their mind long after the initial incident happened. You may have agreed to forgive and let go but… why are you still feeling so emotional about it??? Below are some tips to help cleanse the mind and body of unwanted emotions:

Recognize/Address Emotions 

There is some overlap between Emotional Intelligence and emotional hygiene. Whether your goal is to avoid traumatizing others or avoid becoming traumatized, the first step is always to recognize and address emotions (the self-awareness component of Emotional Intelligence). Remember that keeping a mood journal can really help increase emotional awareness. to read more about emotional intelligence, read this blog.

​Stress Management

Stress management techniques calm the overactive nervous system, clear the mind, and mitigate the effects of unbridled stress. In fact, with regular practice, you can even change your response patterns to stress. Things that once seemed to be of life-or-death importance will no longer seem so consequential. Evidence-based stress management techniques include: yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing. For more tips on managing stress, read this blog.

Gratitude

Focusing on the positives instead of the negatives increases well being and happiness, and interferes with the tendency to ruminate (or repeatedly reminiscing on traumas or blunders). Journaling can also help manage the symptoms of depression, without all the potential side effects of anti-depressants.

Prime Your Mind For Success

This emotional hygiene practice basically consists of you establishing a morning routine that serves as a fortification against the daily stress attack. It could be a prayer, a meditative practice, a motivational speech, an inspiring quote, or whatever you need to envelop your mind in positivity so that you are ready for anything that comes your way.

Sleep

About 40 percent of Americans are sleep deprived. The average amount of sleep per night is 6.8 hours, but healthcare professionals recommend 8 or more hours per night for optimal mental and physical functioning. The consistency of sleep and sleep quality matters. Sleeping in on the weekends may interfere with wellbeing. As difficult as it may be, it is best to keep the same schedule during the week and on the weekends. Due to our circadian rhythm (or internal clock), 8 hours of sleep between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am is much better than 10 hours of sleep between the hours of 3 am and 1 pm.

Do the Small Things

You may have heard that romance is more about frequent, small gestures of love than grand, infrequent gestures. In the same way, wellbeing – particularly emotional wellbeing – is in the small details of life. After your boss yells at you, do you take a few deep breaths or continue to ruminate on the traumatic incident? Emotional clarity and health is in the details.

Battle Rumination Head On

​If you find yourself reliving the same event over and over, discipline your mind. Journal, vent to someone, or simply replace the negative thought with positivity. Don’t passively allow traumatic events to rule your mind. I usually give myself a 10 minute window to allow a particular thought or memory to invade my mind before I force myself to ignore it. It really is a habit to think positive thoughts. It will become easier to think positive with practice.

Protect Yourself

Forgiveness is vital to wellbeing. But forgiving is not the same as forgetting. Remember triggers of past traumas and actively avoid them – whether they are people or events. Protect yourself from emotional vampires, who suck your positive energy and emotional resources. Stay away from events that are associated with trauma. For instance, a young woman who was raped at a frat party might decide to avoid similar situations in the future.

I hope this helps. If you need assistance working through difficult emotions and need a safe place and person to coach you through, then maybe working with a mental wellness coach can help. If you need help let me know. I have services that can help shine light on, and extinguish, the fears of dark memories so you can reconnect with your true self in order to find happiness with yourself, your life and those around you.

In Good Health,
Amber Stewart BS,
Holistic Nutritionist
Certified Master Life Coach
CTNC Mental Health Specialist