Listen now: Your Emotional Dashboard - Series 1, Episode 1
In this inaugural episode of With You in the Weeds (our most downloaded so far!) John and Lynn take a close look at emotions, why we resist them, and how to communicate and regulate them. When you learn how emotions work, you will be able to develop a deeper relationship with God and others.
As counselors, we know the benefit of emotional intelligence, and how it can greatly improve your mental health and relationships. That’s why we started the With You in the Weeds podcast with a series called Managing Your Emotions.
To go along with this series, we’ve prepared a download for you that includes an overview of your emotional dashboard, a feeling word sheet, and helpful information about anxiety, depression, sadness, sorrow, regret, grief, anger, shame, and guilt. As you listen to these episodes you can follow along with this free guide to Managing Your Emotions. Download your free PDF here:
What Is Your Emotional Dashboard?
You’ve probably experienced that sinking feeling when a light goes off on your car dashboard. It gets your attention quickly, and right away you know something is wrong—even if you don’t know what it is yet.
It’s tempting to ignore or avoid your emotions, but in many ways they are like lights on a dashboard – important signals that inform the thoughts, perceptions and behaviors that you have every day. They indicate if there is anything inside you that needs attention, and dismissing them could create more trouble down the road.
What Are Emotions?
In the simplest definition, emotions are what you feel towards people, places, things, and circumstances. They are neither good nor bad; they are simply automatic reactions to your environment. You might think of emotions as disruptive or unproductive, but you are actually most vulnerable to being controlled by emotions when you do not acknowledge or identify them.
You may have grown up in a home where the sharing of emotions was not encouraged, or even actively discouraged. As an adult, it might be difficult for you to connect with others emotionally, and you may feel anxious if others show emotions or need emotional support.
The Neuroscience of Emotions
However you may feel towards your emotions, there is hard science that explains the value and importance of them. The left hemisphere of the brain directs the logical, linear, and language functions, and the right hemisphere of the brain directs the emotional, sensory, and visual images you experience. Understanding your emotions and being able to label them helps you integrate both sides of your brain so you can mature into a healthy adult, heal from past trauma, and grow spiritually.
Emotions are the window to your soul, so we hope this series helps you learn more about yourself, how to engage with your feelings, and how to connect more deeply with others and with God.
If you found this helpful, share this post with a friend and tell them about the free guide to Managing Your Emotions!
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