DESTRUCTIVE EMOTIONS--- What are They, How it Affects us and Ways of Manage Them

What are they and what do they do? Destructive emotions are those emotions which compel us to harm ourselves and others, if we let ourselves be controlled by them. There is a wide gamut of these emotions and we are all familiar with the major ones that tend to ruin our lives sometimes.

SPECIFIC DESTRUCTIVE EMOTIONS

            These include feeling of anger, rage, depression, fear, anxiety, timidity, hate, envy, greed, jealousy, arrogance, laziness, etc. even happiness that is out of bounds can turn destructive, such as manic happiness.

            Of all these emotions, we are ruled by three main states--- anger, fear and depression.

Anger: - This is not an unacceptable emotion as several scientific research studies have defined feeling of anger as being part of our evolutionary makeup and hence, essential for our survival. Anger becomes unhealthy when it controls the individual and drives him/her to act against their better judgment.

Fear: - Comes in many forms and its milder form includes anxiety and timidity. Fear is an emotion that can also help us survive better and longer as long as what we feel produces only appropriate cautious behavior. If fear rules our mind, we end up victims to neuroses and psychoses that alter our perception of reality.

Depression: - All of us have one time or the other in our lives been victims to this feeling.  We are here today only because we survive the spell that this emotion cast on us. It is very easy to succumb to depression, because it sneaks up on you in such a gradual manner that one does not even realized what is happening until one is fully enmeshed in its thrall.

WHY DO WE NEED TO MANAGE DESTRUCTIVE EMOTIONS

            Destructive emotion mainly stops us from living our lives to the fullest. These emotions make it difficult for us to achieve our goals and aims in life. In addition, they affect our relationship adversely and detract us from our quality life.

HOW THESE EMOTIONS AFFECTS OUR HEALTH

            It has been proven time and again that destructive emotions affect our health adversely in multiple ways. Individuals who have been prone to anger and fit of rage have an increase predisposition to developing Hypertension. Individuals who give in to greed and gluttony ail from Diabetes. Those who give in to Laziness and sloth will need to deal with Obesity and increased cholesterol levels. Depressed people tend to make wrong decision in life and have states that blend into Dementia after prolonged illness.

            Once we start managing these destructive emotions, they cease to be destructive and become only difficult emotions. Then we can function in spite of these emotions and can sometimes even excel in what we do despite their presence.

HOW WE CAN MANAGE DESTRUCTIVE EMOTIONS

            Though these emotions tend to sweep one up as they storm into our life, they can be stopped from taking control of our lives by a few simple measures.

These includes:-

·        Knowing what emotions usually tend to motivate your negatively.

·        Identifying factors that trigger and aggravate these emotions.

·        Developing suitable approaches to manage these emotions.

Specific Measures:-

·        Above all it is essential to maintain a positive attitude.

·        Keep yourself happy and pamper yourself at regular intervals.

·        Eat healthy. A few minutes of exercise that are fitted into an otherwise hectic schedule can help relive stress and aid refreshed mind. This will also release endorphins, which are happy chemicals and help one stay healthier and happier.

·        Avoid blaming others. This is frustrating activity and does not have any positive outcome. Instead, the focus should be on how you can work around pitfalls, even if they are caused by others.

·        Meditate. This activity can calm one down and just concentrate on calming one’s breathing can help bring a semblance of order to chaotic thoughts.

·        Share your feelings. Talking things out usually provides an outlet for pent-up feelings and aid in finding solutions.

·        Seek professional help. If one finds that self-help measures are ineffective or inadequate in resolving one’s problem, it is best to seek professional help at the earliest possible time.