Page 71 - EAP Manual

Emotion Regulation
INTRODUCTION
Emotion Regulation teaches me how to effectively notice, understand, express, manage & express my feelings. Feelings can be scary, complicated, and confusing. They can also be enjoyable.
It is normal to want to stuff, ignore, hide, shut-off, mask, bottle-up, escape, & avoid feelings. What could happen if I continue to over-stuff my feelings instead of looking at & coping with them?
  
Emotion Regulation will NOT teach me how to get rid of my feelings! FEELINGS
PROS CONS
Some feelings:
 Are enjoyable—like happiness,
fun, excitement & love
 Help me connect with & relate to
others—empathize
 Boost my creativity
 Motivate
 Self- validate 

Some feelings:
 Are uncomfortable—anger,
sadness, & hurt
 Are scary, confusing,
complicated, & overwhelming
 Grow—get louder & more intense
 Pull me to do hurtful, unhelpful,
& unhealthy things
 
Emotion Regulation WILL teach me how to:
 Observe (notice) & Describe (with words) how I’m feeling
 Be emotionally strong & hardy so I spend less time in Feeling Mind
 Feel pleasant & joyful feelings more often
 Reduce suffering
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