Acknowledge Your Emotions
An essential step is to become aware of your emotions and allow yourself to feel them.
“It’s so common to experience anxiety or grief or sadness or anger in the face of this,” says Nina Bakoyiannis, PhD, a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City and an adjunct assistant professor at the City University of New York. “It’s important to acknowledge the emotions that come up rather than try to push them away or judge them.”
When you start to feel negative emotions, Shari B. Kaplan, LCSW, the founder and clinical director of Cannectd Wellness in Boca Raton, Florida, recommends that you take a pause.
“Stop and observe your thoughts nonjudgmentally,” Kaplan says. “Ask yourself whether these thoughts are helpful, and use this pause to gently bring your focus back to the present moment, interrupting the cycle of negative, looping thoughts.”
Kaplan suggests trying a grounding technique, like looking or listening for three things in your immediate environment that you find soothing or appealing.
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