Lesson 2
All emotions have value and purpose.
Accepting, understanding, and managing emotions are important parts of a healthy life. Emotions tell us important things about ourselves and the world around us.
Emotions are a unique window into what’s going on inside us.
Emotions can cause problems if we try to disconnect from them, or if they run out of control.
Sudden, explosive emotions are often a response to extreme roles we may have been asked to play.
Sometimes, emotions that kept us safe during one period of our lives can cause problems in the future.
We can learn during childhood to express our emotions in ways that protect us from danger or ensure that caregivers will care for us. As a result, we can overreact or under react as we get older. We call these emotions “protectors”.
Emotional regulation allows us to manage what we feel and how we express it.
The first step of emotional regulation is
slowing down
and
saying the name
of what we feel: happy, sad, mad, afraid, disgusted, or hurt.
As we slow down, we can discover how we feel and choose the best way to express ourselves.
My Journal
Identifying Emotions
For each of the questions, click the button that best characterizes how you feel about yourself.
"I am happy or joyful"
How often?
- Never
- Sometimes
- Always
How much?
- None
- Some
- A lot
"I am sad or depressed"
How often?
- Never
- Sometimes
- Always
How much?
- None
- Some
- A lot
"I am angry or irritated"
How often?
- Never
- Sometimes
- Always
How much?
- None
- Some
- A lot
"I am fearful or anxious"
How often?
- Never
- Sometimes
- Always
How much?
- None
- Some
- A lot
"I am disgusted"
How often?
- Never
- Sometimes
- Always
How much?
- None
- Some
- A lot
If you frequently experience intense emotions, self-soothing exercises can help. Talking to a therapist or guidance counselor can also help you find more ways to regulate intense emotions.
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