Surviving Emotional Rollercoasters
The 16th August was Rollercoaster Day which celebrates the first vertical loop rollercoaster patented in 1898. This brought back great memories of days spent with family when young. We enjoyed the apprehension as we queued up, followed by the exhilaration and sometimes sheer terror of rollercoaster rides.
With my Hypnotherapist’s hat on I also begin to think about the emotional rollercoasters that we all face.
This year, for example, we’ve undergone the joy and disappointment of the Euros and the Olympics and the gripping ups and downs of our favourite tv thrillers. On a more serious note, however, we’ve enjoyed the excitement of Covid restrictions being lifted yet the fears that it’s still a danger. We’ve experienced the joyful family celebrations of some and the heart-breaking sadness of those who have recently lost family and friends.
Causes and effects
These rollercoaster rides can result in exhaustion or a sense of losing control. We might feel that this rollercoaster ride will never end, and we’ll never recover. They can cause us to behave irrationally. We might let fly and upset others. We might also feel on edge or angry.
The emotional rollercoaster can be brought on by many things. They include everyday problems and stresses, depression or extreme tiredness, chronic illness or pain and hormonal changes.
Strategies for surviving emotional rollercoasters:
Be more aware and accepting of your feelings
Things will always crop up in life that will be distressing. Accepting them as challenges and recognising that the current feelings will pass in due course can help to make us feel calmer.
Do something to change it
If your current situation is stirring up the emotions, then take some proactive steps to change it. For example, if your job is causing you stress, think about moving job or getting some training. If it’s your relationships, consider family or relationship counselling.
Practice Self-Care
Do things to boost your mental health such as guided meditation or self-hypnosis. Do things that you really enjoy, for example meeting a friend, going for a stroll, listening to music, reading. This prevents us from focusing on negative thoughts or worrying what’s happened in the past or what might happen in the future.
Get it off your chest
Rather than bottling things up inside talk it through with others – they just may be able to help. Alternatively, start keeping a Journal. Writing down your feelings helps you to let them go and gain new understanding and perspectives.
Take a Moment
Avoid letting your emotions take over and cause you to act recklessly or say something you might regret. Take a moment out, breathe deeply and take the time to think before reacting.
Tune into your body
Notice how your body is feeling physically. Where are those emotions appearing in your body? Is your chest tight, is there tension in your stomach or shoulders or jaw? Spend time becoming aware of the physical feeling and breathe into it. Practice deliberately tightening each of your muscles in turn, holding that for a count to five and then releasing it.
If, after trying these things, you are still feeling emotionally overwhelmed, then seek professional therapy help to feel more balanced and in control of those emotions.
If you’d like to know more about how hypnotherapy can help contact me. Call me on 07866-360359 for a free confidential chat or email linda@lfhypnotherapy.co.uk
