What are they and what do they do?
Destructive emotions are those emotions which compel us to harm ourselves or others, if we let ourselves be controlled by them. There is a wide gamut of these emotions and we are all very familiar with the major ones that tend to ruin our lives, sometimes.
Specific destructive emotions
These include feelings of anger, rage, depression, fear, anxiety, timidity, greed, hatred, envy, jealousy, arrogance, laziness, etc.
Even happiness that is out of bounds can turn very destructive, such as in manic happiness. Of all these emotions, we are ruled by three main states—anger, fear, and depression.
| | Anger
This is not an unacceptable emotion as several scientific research studies have defined feelings of anger as being part of our evolutionary makeup and hence, essential for our survival. Anger becomes unhealthy when it controls the individual and drives him/her to act against their better judgement.
Fear
Fear comes in many forms and its milder forms include anxiety and timidity. Fear is an emotion that can also help us survive better and longer as long as what we feel produces only appropriate cautious behaviors. If fear rules our mind, we end up victims to neuroses and psychoses that alter our perception of reality .
Depression
All of us have been victim to this feeling at some point in our life. We are here today only because we survived the spell that this emotion cast on us. It is very easy to succumb to depression because it sneaks up on you in such a gradual manner that one does not even realize what is happening until one is fully enmeshed in its thrall.
Why do we need to manage destructive emotions?
Destructive emotions mainly stop us from living our life to the fullest. These emotions make it difficult for us to achieve our goals and aims in life. In addition, they affect our relationships adversely and detract from our quality of life.
Health effects of these emotions
It has been proven time and again that destructive emotions affect our health adversely in multiple ways. Individuals who have been prone to anger and fits of rage have an increased predisposition to developing Hypertension. Individuals who give in to greed and gluttony ail from Diabetes. Those who give in to laziness and sloth will need to deal with obesity and increased cholesterol levels. Depressed people tend to make wrong decisions in life and have states that blend into Dementia after prolonged illness.
Once we start managing these destructive emotions, they cease to be destructive and become only difficult emotions. Then we can function in spite of these emotions and can sometimes even excel in what we do despite their presence. | | How can we manage destructive emotions?
Though these emotions tend to sweep one up as they storm into our life, they can stopped from taking control by a few simple measures. These include: | - Knowing what emotions usually tend to motivate you negatively.
- Identifying factors that trigger and aggravate these emotions.
- Developing suitable approaches to manage the emotion.
| | Specific measures | - Above all it is essential to maintain a positive attitude.
- Keep yourself happy and pamper yourself at regular intervals.
- Eat healthy. For example, individuals who are prone to anger will do well to avoid foods that are high in their gylcemic index and may benefit most from a diet that is liberal in fiber and vitamins.
- Exercise. A few minutes of exercise that are fitted into an otherwise hectic schedule can help relieve stress and aid refreshed thought processes. This will also release endorphins, which are happy chemicals and help one stay healthier and happier.
- Avoid blaming others. This is a frustrating activity and does not have any positive outcome. Instead, the focus should be on how you can work around pitfalls, even if they are caused by others.
- Meditate. This activity can calm one down and just concentrating on calming one’s breathing can help bring a semblance of order to chaotic thoughts.
- Share your feelings. Talking things out usually provides an outlet for pent-up feelings and aids in finding solutions.
- Seek professional help. If one finds that self-help measures are ineffectual or inadequate in resolving one’s problem, it is best to seek professional help at the earliest.
| |
|