How to Learn from Your Emotions

When we’re stressed, our emotions want to help. How to embrace the wisdom of your emotions.

Image by Finn at Unsplash

Many of us grew up believing emotions were bad.

“Don’t cry.”

“Girls shouldn’t be angry.”

“Boys shouldn’t let emotions show.”

“Stop that incessant laughter.”

“Don’t be sad.”

When the message was emotions are bad — when we were punished for our feelings — we didn’t learned the basic truths of emotions and the wisdom they offer.

Some basic truths about emotions

• Emotions are natural part of our physiology.
• Emotions are a healthy response to situations we find ourselves in.
• Emotions are not by definition “good” or “bad”, “positive” or “negative”. These are labels we attach to emotions.
• Emotions themselves last around 90 seconds.
• Our RESPONSE to our emotions (gripping on to emotions through thoughts or emotional looping, which develop into ideas and beliefs) can last a lifetime.
• When we allow it, emotions can be brilliant teachers. They want to help us!