5 ways to process your emotions in a healthy way

How many times have you felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to process what you’re feeling? Emotions can be tricky, and it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of rumination. But the good news is that with the right tools, you can learn how to process your emotions in a healthy way. Here are five tips for doing just that!

Tip 1: Give yourself permission to feel what you feel

No matter what emotion you’re experiencing, give yourself permission to feel it without judgement. Acknowledge the emotion and recognise that it’s okay for you to have these feelings. This will help keep you from getting stuck in in your negative thoughts or feeling guilty about how you feel.

Tip 2: Take time to listen to yourself

When we experience strong emotions, it can be hard to make sense of them right away. Taking some time to sit with your feelings and really listen to what your body is telling you is essential. Ask yourself questions like “What am I feeling right now?” or “Where do I feel this emotion most strongly?” Doing this will help bring clarity and understanding when trying to make sense of your emotions. 

Tip 3: Express yourself creatively

Sometimes words fail us when trying to express our feelings. It can be helpful to express yourself creatively through art, music, writing or any other form of self-expression that resonates with you. Not only does this allow for creative outlet but also allows for deeper exploration into our emotions as we get creative with expressing them. 

Tip 4: Talk it out with a trusted friend or professional

Talking about our feelings can help us gain perspective on them and reduce their intensity. If possible, talk about your feelings with a trusted friend or family member who won’t judge or shame you but will offer support and understanding instead. If talking with someone close isn’t an option, consider seeking out professional therapeutic support instead.

Tip 5: Practice Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)   

Mindful Self-Compassion is a tool for emotional resilience that combines self-compassion with mindfulness by teaching us how to respond compassionately rather than reactively when faced with difficult emotions or situations. Developed by self-compassion research pioneer Kristin Neff, PhD and psychotherapist Christopher K. Germer, PhD, MSC is a powerful and research-driven tool to help regulate emotion and improve overall mental wellbeing. Mindful self-compassion has been successfully shown to increase emotional resilience while decreasing negative self-talk, which can be incredibly powerful during times of intense emotion.

These tips provide practical ways for processing our emotions healthily, so that we don’t get stuck in rumination cycles or feel ashamed about having certain feelings. Ultimately, allowing ourselves space and grace as we work through our emotions helps us better understand ourselves while also increasing emotional resilience. ​By taking time each day for Mindful Self-Compassion combined with intentional listening, creative expression and conversations with trusted friends, we can better process all kinds of emotions more effectively!​ ​Women everywhere deserve access to resources designed specifically for their emotional wellbeing – if this blog resonated with you then please let us know in the comments.

By Sarah Panther