Episode 8: How to Handle Your Big Feelings
What do you do when you have a suddenly strong emotion? What about when you are overwhelmed or irritated, but you don’t really know why?
In this episode, I’ll share a simple tool you can do in those especially intense moments to help you handle it in a healthy way.
This Week’s Practice: Handling Big Feelings
When you feel overwhelmed by an emotion, whether it’s sudden or more subtle, ask these three questions to quickly identify what’s going on, and what to do about it.
What am I feeling?
Name the emotion. (I feel sad. I feel angry.)
Why do I feel this way?
Be specific. Identify what happened, and resist the impulse to make it bigger than what it is. Focus on what’s happening now.
What do I need now/later?
Consider, What’s one simple thing I can do to feel refreshed and restored?
Ideas for what to do NOW:
Take a deep breath.
Stop talking and think for ten seconds before you respond.
Say a one-word prayer: HELP.
Ideas for what to do LATER:
Set aside time to be alone.
Go to bed early to get more sleep.
Talk to a friend about the emotion.
Bring the emotion to God during your daily review. (See Episode 7: The Power of the Daily Review)
More Resources:
For more resources to help you discover steady and sustainable growth through simple spiritual practices, download a free starter guide.
This podcast is part of the New Hope Podcast Network. Learn more about all the podcasts in the network here.
