Dear Friends,

We hope that the summer has brought a slower, more restful rhythm to your days! Last month, we discussed the importance of developing emotional intelligence and the role that emotional awareness plays in this skillset. Now, let’s look at some practical steps for managing and regulating emotions.

While our emotions are distinct from our thoughts, we must be able to make the connection between the two as a first step towards managing emotions. Our minds are powerful and God-given faculties for navigating the world around us, but there are many ways they can get us off track. If we are not continuously bringing them under the influence of truth, the way we interpret and respond to reality can become distorted or dysfunctional.

If our thoughts are primarily positive, reality-based, and forward-focused, we will experience much different emotions than if they are negative, distorted, or stuck in past problems. To manage emotional responses, we can learn to (1) catch the thoughts as soon as we become aware of them (2) check the accuracy and helpfulness of our thinking patterns and (3) change thoughts to reflect a perspective based in reality. Not only will this skill help us to navigate the world in a healthier way, we will also have increased capacity to consider others and maintain healthy relationships.

Is there a situation in your life that might require special attention to thought and emotions? Are there ways you can begin to catch, check, and change thoughts to help manage the emotions that come with them? We would love to come alongside you to help you grow in emotional regulation and resilience. Next month, we will look at some practical steps to regulate physical reactions and care for our body when learning emotional regulation skills.

Sincerely,

The Willow Springs Counseling Team