How to Cope With The Big Feels of Right Now
$4.50 for a gallon of gas.
Significant increase in groceries.
Insane rent increases.
First time homeowners trying to figure out how to afford a million dollar 3 bedroom home.
A seemingly never-ending heatwave in central Texas that is also happening across the US, Europe, and India.
Laws and court decisions that limit our choices over our bodies and identities.
How are we suppose to cope with all the feels and stress from these significant challenges and uncertainties that surround us everyday and keep getting worse?
Feelings of anger (even rage), helplessness, and hopelessness can be felt at the same time and can create so much discomfort and pain. Some people might call this a state of overwhelm, a meltdown, or a ‘hot mess’. in order to deal with the overwhelm, most folks internally disconnect from these intense feelings by denying the emotions are in there or distract themselves with activities like eating, working, or binge-watching. Or others disconnect from these emotions by numbing them with alcohol or other substances.
However denying, numbing and/or distracting won’t make these feels go away and, most likely, will probably make them worse. These human emotions want and need to be felt - the more you disconnect from them, the more internal ‘pressure’ is built from the emotional energy that is trapped within your body. As these painful emotions build and are shoved deeper within you they can feel like an internal pressure cooker that has the escape valve turned off - meaning, the pressure will eventually blow the top off if you don’t let out some steam, little bits at a time.
So we are left with a crappy choice — distract, avoid or numb in order to survive the present moment which in turn makes the emotions build up inside of us until we explode OR feel the raw agonizing pain of being present with inflation, climate and financial stress and uncertainty and a level of hopelessness not experienced by Americans in decades.
Now may be the best time to learn how to slowly let the emotions / steam out so that you don’t explode from the inside. The tips below are meant to help you learn how to build the capacity to cope with the enormity of what is happening out there and, in time, can help you break free of numbing and distracting.
Tips on how to cope with the big stuff that is happening right now
Feel the feels in small doses - Let out some of the ‘steam’ from these intense emotions by using a Feelings Wheel to help you label at least 3 intense emotions that you are experiencing. BUT make sure you aren’t asking yourself ‘why’ you are feeling these emotions. Try to be with the emotion as it is - such as, where you feel it in your body, how intense is the emotion, and when was the last time you felt something similar. Labeling and being curious about the emotion will help move it out of your body and restore a sense of ease within you.
Journal what you are feeling - whether you write long ‘dear diary’ sentences or just list some of the emotions and thoughts that are popping up within you, move the emotions from within you onto paper or an electronic device.
Draw, sing, play or cook/bake your emotions - Leverage your inner artist / artisan by expressing what you are feeling into an art form. Utilizing color, music or ingredients to help you liberate the emotions within you can be cathartic in many ways; whatever you produce can be changed, shared, eaten, or enjoyed by yourself or others.
Move your body - try going to the gym, on a walk, run or bike ride withOUT headphones. Allow yourself to connect to your body and your environment while your muscles engage at the same time you allow some emotions to be felt. For example, if you allow yourself to feel some anger over the cost of gas and groceries while you are running or biking, you can help your body let out some rage so that it doesn’t build up inside. Or participate in a yoga, martial arts or exercise class and allow the instructor to guide your movements while you let out feelings of stress, anger and anxiety.
While all of the tips above can help you integrate what is happening within you in response to what is happening around you, it is important to note that nourishing yourself with the basics of making sure you get good sleep, drink at least 80 ounces of clean water everyday and eat wholesome foods will empower your body with the capacity to hold the extreme emotions.
If you want to learn more about coping and nourishing yourself during these challenging times, reach out to us below to setup a free 15-minute consultation.