Resilience Reflections

 "How are you feeling today?"

We hear this question in daily interactions; however, consider this question when someone or something elicits a strong reaction in you, such as great joy or deep sorrow about the winner of a political election.  Self-compassion expert, Kristin Neff, believes that suppressing emotions can actually strengthen rather than diminish those feelings. Not only does this give them power, some bio-psychosocial studies indicate that people who suppress emotions were more likely to die earlier of many causes and negatively impact social life, making one feel less connected to others.

Ask yourself... do you suppress feelings or have difficulty regulating them? Accept that negative, positive and multiple emotions at once are a normal part of life. Increase emotional wellbeing and resilience by acknowledging overwhelming feelings rather than suppressing or overreacting to them.  Name and experience your feelings with mindful meditation, deep breathing, or positive affirmations, to name a few simple ways to achieve more emotional balance.  Normalize emotions as part of being human to:

• Build self awareness 
• Regulate yourself 
• Make better decisions
• Understand others
• Connect with others

Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its                    origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.  - William Wordsworth