Tips for Coping with Your Emotions

If you're feeling:

Anxious...

It's okay to take a breather! It's super easy and really calming. Ready? First, take a nice, slow breath in for a count of 4. Hold it gently for 5 counts. Then, breathe out slowly for 6 counts, making sure to release all the air from your lungs. This simple breathing exercise works wonders for calming your nervous system.

Next up, why not watch a funny video? Did you know that research shows laughter can be just as effective as exercise in reducing anxiety? So, whenever you're feeling stressed, but don't have the energy to hit the gym, treat yourself to a good laugh and watch something hilarious. For us, TikTok is going to do the trick every time!

And finally, do you have a calming playlist? Find a few songs that instantly relax you, and keep them handy for those moments when you need to unwind. Just start your playlist, close your eyes, and let the soothing sounds wash over you. It's like hitting the reset button for your mind.

Lonely...

If you're looking to expand your friends circle, why not connect with people who share your interests? Finding a group of people that you relate with makes it a whole lot easier to strike up a conversation. Consider pitching in for a cause close to your heart, joining fitness classes, diving into book clubs, checking out adult sororities, hitting up festivals, attending mommy & me gatherings, or even saving money to take a weekend getaway. Don't forget to exchange numbers with potential friends and plan future hangouts! Try learning a new skill or hobby on Youtube to keep you busy during rainy days.

Grief...

Try not to judge or suppress your emotions. Allow yourself to experience whatever emotions come up each day.

Engage in activities that bring you joy and remind you of the person you miss. It can help you feel more connected to them.

Consider writing a heartfelt note or text to your loved one, expressing everything you wish you could say to them if they were still with you. This can be a therapeutic way to express your emotions.

Sad...

Challenge negative thoughts by asking yourself, "Are there facts supporting this thought? Are there facts against it? What things are actually going right?" You might find that these thoughts don't really stand up to scrutiny.

Even if things aren't working out right now, don’t underestimate your ability to bounce back.

For the moment, choose a simple mood lifter that you can turn to whenever you need a pick-me-up. Mood lifters can include popping in headphones and taking a walk to your favorite songs, meditating, or even starting a self care routine  (Budget Tip: the Dollar Store and Five & Below are always stocked with DIY Self Care),

Angry...

When you start feeling angry, instead of snapping, try this trick:

Give the 4-5-6 breath a whirl. Just breathe in slowly for a count of 4, then hold it for 5, and finally breathe out for 6. Try to empty out all that air from your lungs by the time you reach 6. It's like a quick reset button for your mood!

I know we're saying this a lot, but another thing you can do is get active. Find something that gets your heart pumping, whether it's boxing, Zumba, or jumping rope. Getting your body moving can really help shake off those feelings.

Overwhelmed...

We get it. Life is "life-ing", and being a mom and still being a "person" can sometimes feel near impossible. When you're starting to feel overwhelmed, breathing exercises are going to do it every time! Take a comfortable deep breath for a count of 4, then hold it gently for 5 counts. Now, release your breath slowly for 6 counts, ensuring you empty your lungs completely by the time you reach 6. You'll find this helps to calm you down quickly.

When it comes to tasks, start with making a list of everything that is on your mind. Now, remove the things that you don't want to or need to do. With the tasks that are absolutely necessary, it's helpful to break them into smaller, manageable pieces. Jot down each step needed to complete your task, and focus on tackling just one at a time. Get the hard tasks out of the way first. This approach can make tasks feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

Need Help?

If you feel like you need more support, contact us to see if you qualify for our behavioral health services.

Call the 988 helpline anytime you need emergency emotional support. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7.