Emotions can influence the perception of events. We can see the situation from a completely different side than it really is. Emotions interfere with an objective and neutral assessment of the situation, so it is quite difficult to learn how to control them and not fall under the influence of the emotions of others.
Here are some tips to help you cast aside your emotions and make an informed decision. You may be interested in article 16 bad habits that you need to get rid of by the age of 30.
1. Perceive your emotions as part of your map, but not part of the territory
Positive thoughts generate positive emotions, and negative thoughts emerge from negative ones, remind yourself of this more often. The direction of your thoughts is the interpretation of what is happening in one light or another, and not the only interpretation of what is happening.
Our map is a filter through which we look at the world, perceive it. Everyone has a specific set of filters based and accumulated on their own experience. This means that emotions will always influence our reality. Remind yourself that thoughts and subsequent emotions are not always an accurate representation of what is actually happening - this will make life easier.
2. Stop and think before any action
Before taking any action, you need to stop, turn off emotions and think. The part of the brain that is responsible for emotions is stronger than the rational part. When your emotions gush like a fountain, you cannot concentrate, stop, comprehend further actions and, only after that, begin to act.
3. Examine your weaknesses
Are there people or situations that can throw you off balance? When we know our weaknesses, we are more aware. Make your own rating of events and rate it on a scale from 1 to 10. When a situation reaches 7 points, use the appropriate method of emotional release, and only then act. Some of them: counting down from 100, breathing deeply, or even temporarily disconnecting from what is happening.
4. Control your emotions
Take responsibility for your actions. We cannot control others, but we can always control how we behave with others. When we blame others for our emotional reactions, we are sending ourselves a message that we are unable to control ourselves.
Even though you've heard this before, putting yourself in the other person's shoes will help you understand and experience new things. Remember that the other person has a different set of life experiences, beliefs, upbringing, and culture that may not be the same as yours.
5. Learn to emotionally detach.
You are not your emotions. As mentioned earlier, thought leads to emotion. A good way to learn to control yourself is to try to imagine thoughts as passengers on the bus.
As soon as you turned the key, passengers began to accuse you of careless driving, inability to drive a bus, etc. Naturally, this will make you angry, and if you don't stop listening to them, the trip may end badly. So are thoughts, it is necessary to be distracted from them, like the driver from the grumpy passengers of the bus.
6. Take a break
Everyone needs a timeout, otherwise overloads can push the nervous system to the limit. When we start to break down at others, cry, scream for no reason - this means that a break is needed. Take a walk, change your surroundings, or do something relaxing to relieve tension in your body.
Realize and accept the positive energy that comes into your life in the form of events, people, avoid negative energy that destroys you. Maintain a balance - there should be more positive than negative, only then it will be possible to avoid stress and problems.
7. Become aware of your emotions
Oftentimes, understanding why we are reacting to a situation in a certain way helps to reduce the impact of that situation on our feelings. Knowing about the causes of strong emotions, you can learn to control yourself. You may be annoyed, for example, when a friend is late for a meeting, although you understand that there is nothing to be angry about, since he warned you that he is in a traffic jam.
The reason for this is past negative experience, which has nothing to do with the present situation. If you understand your emotions, then life will become calmer and happier.
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