Taking Care of Ourselves Emotionally

Posted by in Recovery Tips | 4 comments


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After years of denial, numbing feelings of pain and all sorts of emotions, I finally came true to myself. I learned to take care of myself emotionally through practice and learning new behavioral patterns like Acting as if. I forced myself into positive recovery behaviors, disregarding my doubts and fears, until my feelings caught up with reality. I am still a work in progress, of course.

So what does it mean to take care of myself emotionally. This is what I learned from reading self-help books and seeking out guidance.

1. I recognize when I’m feeling angry and I accept that feeling without shame.

2. I recognize when I’m feeling hurt and I accept those feelings without attempting to punish the source of my pain.

3. I allow myself to feel joy and love when those are available to me.

4. I recognize that my feelings don’t have to control me. I can feel and think too.

5. I talk to friends or family members about my feelings when I feel that it is appropriate and safe to do so.

6. I reach out for help when I get stuck in a particular emotion.

7. I try to seek the lessons that my emotions may be trying to teach me. Then after I feel, accept and release the feeling to the air, I then ask myself “What is it I need to do to take care of myself?”

Taking care of my emotions means I allow myself to stay with the feeling until it’s time to let go and move on to the next feeling. Taking care of myself means I’ve made a decision that it is okay to own my feelings.

So my dear friend, continue to take care of yourself emotionally. It’s okay to feel angry. You have the right to be. Just be open to and accepting of the emotional part of yourself and other people. Strive for balance by mixing emotions and reason but don’t let your intellect push the emotional part of yourself away.

Taking care of yourself emotionally means you value and cherish the emotional part of yourself. I know you will be fine. We will be fine.



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  • http://catherinecarey.wordpress.com Catherine Carey

    Hi Noemi,

    Thanks for reminding us to feel our feelings and to stay with them. I felt down last week and Monday. OK, I thought, if it’s telling me something I’ll know. Feeling betteryesterday and today. Realized it was just fear, fear about new work situation.

    Your words helped me feel better. Thanks!

    Catherine

    Catherine Careys last blog post..Taking Care of a Headache

  • http://scroochchronicles.com Cookie

    i guess one of the hardest hurdles is to own one’s feelings. its not being in denial, its being unable to face things. but to be able to do it is a big step. this post is very motivating :)

    Cookies last blog post..Speed Limits

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    glad to have been of help. Today I had a blah day but tomorrow hopefully i will be better.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    sometimes it is also the overwhelming flow of emotions that could just be too much to handle. I got that idea from my daughter when she said sometimes she doesn’t want to talk about it.

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