6 tips for dealing with negative feelings

Do you find yourself waking up feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsettled? I have a lot lately. I mean we are living in a global pandemic. People are losing jobs, the economy is tanking and you can’t find basic staples in the store.

But over the years as I have faced trials and tragedy I have learned a few tricks for dealing with bad feelings.

Name it.

Even if it’s bad just say the word out loud. Accepting bad feelings or a bad circumstance for what it is doesn’t mean you’re giving into it. Personally, I’ve found just saying it out loud and unedited helps me to clarify what it is I am dealing with. It means that you’re allowing yourself to be honest about what’s going on

Focus on your immediate needs.

Get dressed if you need to, declutter an area, fold the basket of clothes, clear space and clear your mind.

Do a brain dump

Pull out your journal or a piece of paper and just write everything down. Write down your feelings and thoughts, write down ideas, write down your to-do list, write down the things you are disappointed in, write it all down.

Put down your phone

Log off social media. Put your phone on do not disturb so you’re not getting a bunch of text messages or alerts that you don’t want. And then walk away from it.

A 2017 study showed Americans on average check their phone once every 12 minutes, that’s 80 times a day. It’s become a digital leash. Break from it.

Fill your space with something positive

Turn on some music, an audiobook, or a podcast it’s uplifting and let that fill your space. 

Give yourself something to look forward to

My boys and I have started having tea time every day at 4 p.m. It sounds super fancy, but it isn’t. I make them cups of tea and they get a snack and then we play a game at our dining table for about 30 minutes before we move into our afternoon chores.

This is a great way to break up our day, to give us something to look forward to and to help us connect.

Maybe setting aside time to read, or pray, draw or sketch, bake something or talk to a friend will help you ease the tension in your mind.