How well do you understand your emotions?

Here are few ways you can increase your emotional awareness!

• Give journaling a try. Not only does it help you identify your emotions better, but it also helps you implement more of what is working for you. Try noting down the emotions that you feel, why you feel them, and notice how they affect your mood.
• Take a pause. Sometimes, it can be difficult to stay calm and in control of situations. By taking a moment before reacting, especially when you feel strong emotions, we can get a chance to gain back that control.
• Consider the perspective of others. When we try to put ourselves in others' place, we naturally become more accepting of their perspectives and needs.
• Communicate.Try communicating your perspectives in a direct but respectful manner. Listening, too, is a part of communication.
• Challenge your thoughts. Most of us have a set pattern of thinking because of socialization and our experiences. In an overwhelming situation, challenge these thought patterns by asking yourself if there is only one way to look at the situation. Or think of the other ways you could have reacted in the situation.
• Focus on the solution. Adopting a solution-focused approach could help us work towards improvement. It often helps us to move past the negatives of the circumstance and focus on resolving the concern at hand.