Shielding Yourself from Negative Emotions

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt drained, even though nothing was said? Or maybe a friend’s constant complaining leaves you feeling low? Negative emotions whether from people, social media, or the environment, can be contagious. But the good news is, you don’t have to absorb them.

In a world where emotional energy is constantly exchanged, learning to protect your inner peace is a valuable skill. Here’s how you can navigate negativity without letting it consume you.

1. Recognize What’s Yours and What’s Not

Not every emotion you feel is yours. Sometimes, you’re just picking up on others’ stress, anger, or sadness. The next time you sense negativity, pause and ask yourself:

• “Was I feeling this way before?”

• “Is this emotion truly mine, or am I absorbing someone else’s energy?”

If it’s not yours, visualize it passing through you instead of settling within.

2. Set Emotional Boundaries

You wouldn’t let someone walk into your home and dump their garbage inside, so why let them do that with negativity? Protect your mental space by-

•Limiting time with people who constantly complain or criticize.

• Saying “I understand” instead of engaging deeply in their negativity.

• Learning to say no without guilt.

3. Choose Your Responses Wisely

Negativity thrives on reaction. If someone is venting, gossiping, or being pessimistic, you have three choices:

  1. Engage – which drains you.
  2. Ignore – which might escalate things.
  3. Detach and redirect – which protects your peace.

A simple, calm response like “That sounds tough, but I hope things work out” can acknowledge the other person without fueling negativity.

4. Practice Mindful Detachment

You can be compassionate without absorbing others’ struggles. Imagine a protective bubble around you that filters out negativity but allows positive connections. Techniques like:

These small shifts keep you from getting emotionally entangled.

5. Surround Yourself with Positivity

Just like negativity spreads, so does positivity. Balance out negative exposure by:

The more you feed your mind with positivity, the less room negativity has to settle in.

Also read about – https://thevibrantaura.in/index.php/2023/09/06/social-media-and-mental-health/ 

Consistency Is The Key

Consistency serves as the foundation for a life filled with balance and fulfilment, especially during the morning time when cortisol levels are high. By consistently engaging in positive habits and activities, such as daily exercise, journaling, or spending quality time with loved ones, you create a framework for sustained well-being. These regular practices contribute to your mental, physical, and emotional health, helping you navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and clarity.

For example, dedicating just 30 minutes each day to physical activity, whether it’s a brisk walk or a yoga session, can boost your mood, increase energy levels, and improve overall fitness, particularly beneficial during the morning when cortisol levels peak. Similarly, setting aside time for self-reflection or mindfulness can promote emotional well-being and reduce stress.

Remember, the key is not to overwhelm yourself with perfection but rather to embrace progress over time. By prioritising consistency in your daily routines, especially during the morning, you pave the way for long-term happiness and fulfilment.

Also read about, 18 Journal Prompts for Mental Health Prompts-

https://http://thevibrantaura.in/index.php/2024/03/16/18-journal-prompts-for-mental-health/

Zen Techniques

Zen is a school of Buddhism that emphasises meditation and mindfulness to attain enlightenment. Some Zen techniques include:

1. Zazen: Sitting meditation, focusing on your breath or a koan (a paradoxical question or statement).

2. Kinhin: Walking meditation, where every step is mindful and deliberate.

3. Koans: Riddles or paradoxical questions to contemplate deeply.

4. Sesshin: Intensive meditation retreats, often lasting several days.

5. Mindful eating: Eating with full awareness of each bite.

6. Shikantaza: “Just sitting” without a specific focus, allowing thoughts to come and go.

7. Rinzai and Soto practices: Different Zen schools with unique approaches to meditation.

Zen aims to cultivate mindfulness, presence, and a deeper understanding of the self and reality.

Practise this at least for 5-7 minutes each day.

Also read about Self Awareness –

https://http://thevibrantaura.in/index.php/2023/04/20/self-awareness/

Left on Read

Being left on read in today’s digital age has become a common occurrence in our lives, thanks to the prevalence of messaging apps and social media. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, the act of being ignored or left without a response can have a significant impact on our mental health. In this blog, we will explore the emotional toll of being left on read and offer some strategies to cope with this modern communication challenge.

The Emotional Impact:

1. Feelings of Rejection: When someone leaves your message on read, it can trigger feelings of rejection and inadequacy. You may start questioning your worth or whether you said something wrong.

2. Anxiety and Overthinking: Waiting for a response that never comes can lead to anxiety and overthinking. Your mind may race with thoughts about why the person isn’t responding and what you could have done differently.

3. Negative Self-Talk: Being left on read can feed into negative self-talk, making you believe that you are unimportant or unlikable.

4. Frustration and Anger: In some cases, being ignored can lead to frustration and anger, especially if it happens repeatedly or with people you care about.

Coping Strategies:

1. Self-Validation: Remind yourself that being left on read doesn’t define your worth. People have their own reasons for not responding promptly.

2. Open Communication: If the situation permits, consider addressing the issue with the person directly to understand their reasons for not responding.

3. Distract Yourself: Instead of obsessing over the lack of a response, engage in activities that make you happy and take your mind off it.

4. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help you stay grounded and reduce anxiety related to being left on read.

5. Set Boundaries: Establish boundaries around your expectations for communication response times to reduce disappointment.

Remember, your self-worth is not determined by the responsiveness of others.

Also read about- FOMO https://http://thevibrantaura.in/index.php/2023/08/09/fomo/

Its Okay To Cry

Its okay to cry, the sky does it too.

Tears have stress hormones which are released when we cry.
Holding back tears gets stress stuck in the body. Stress impacts the pain we experience and over time, contributes to the development of chronic illnesses.
Many chronic illnesses are literally unprocessed emotions.

#psychologyfacts #psychologist #mentalhealthawareness #tearsaregood

Alternate Solutions To Same Problem

Alternate solutions to same problem.

When you find yourself seemingly stuck in a negative mood, an uncomfortable place, or a difficult situation, ask yourself, Can I turn my head? In other words, is there another way to view this situation, a broader perspective to take, perhaps filled with more awe and gratitude? We cannot force this shift in perspective, but we can offer ourselves the opportunity to step back and view the potential lessons available if we can remain curious.

There is nearly always another way to view a situation if we can be open to it.

Break the chaos. Connect with Vibrant Aura by Sejal.