What really happens when our emotions get out of control?
In the moment we surge into some sort of action to express the intensity of our feelings in hopes of finding some catharsis or relief. Maybe we shout or cry. Maybe we lash out and become nasty and mean. Maybe we retreat and isolate. When unregulated emotions take the wheel we are bound for trouble.
It might be helpful to reframe the whole idea of our emotions being “out of control” because from another perspective these intense emotions are actually in control of our actions, decisions, and behaviors. It is almost like they have hijacked the bus and are forcing us to drive erratically and dangerously (yes this is a reference to 1994 edge of your seat thriller “Speed” with the legendary Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock).
I think we have to consider that we owe it to ourselves and the other people in our lives to effectively regulate and manage our emotions, especially the strong ones.
The good news is the skills to manage and regulate emotions are something we can learn and practice. It starts with self-care. Then you layer in mindfulness activities (archery, hiking, painting), breathwork, identify and challenge problematic thinking, temperature control, intense exercise (like quick push ups), progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation or prayer. There are limitless combinations of activities and subcategories of tools that can be applied so go out there and find the ones that work for you.
