Do you have a backup for your EMOTIONS?

Aren't we always told to have a backup plan for our careers? In fact, before even having a plan we have backup plans. (LOL). If 'A' doesn't work, no problem, we have option 'B'. If, not 'B', then 'C'. But in the process, we have become so inconsiderate that we no longer consider having a backup plan for our emotions.

Building a toolbox on which we can rely is something very significant in today's time especially emotionally. I have listed down 8 strategies that you can use to be capable of better handling your emotions in the dark times:

1. Get into "The Meta-Moment"(PAUSE):

An article by Inc. where it mentions 7 strategies that Emotionally Intelligent people follow, opened a new perspective of getting into The Meta-Moment of life. Meta-Moment is an instant that bridges the gap between a challenging feeling and an impulsive response that we're bound to regret in the future. When our mind gets into this moment we start evaluating our response before even saying it. This not only does resolve potential conflicts but also keeps relationships intact by considering both sides of the argument.

2. Consider the brighter side every single time: Someone said to me-'Nowadays everything is customized, so why not customize your thoughts?' So true, yet we belittle it. Try and see the lighter side of every situation because that way you're the controller "of" your emotions and hence not a controlee "by" your emotions.

3. Special Interest Tools: Come up with Special Interest tools which are especially "dear" to you and can use them when you are at your lowest point of time. For example, my special interest tools are watching a movie on Netflix, riding my bicycle, listening to music, etc.

4. Foresee your worse and plan it accordingly: Researches have proven that planning makes everything easier and efficient and that can be applied to your emotions too in advance. This can help you bear a lot of emotional exhaustion in the smartest way. Since it's not possible to assume how worse you would feel at a certain point in your life, I would suggest to at least think of some common coping strategies you could apply once that pain hits you, like having a list of things you could do when you're in your mental worse days- scream, write your feelings down and rip it apart, hold ice, etc.

5. Use the "MUTE" strategy: When emotionally charged, avoid saying anything to anyone as you are not in a state of consciousness and might end up saying right things to the wrong people or wrong things to the right people. Calm yourself down by deep breathing and following the next step i.e. Reflect!

6. Reflect, Reflect, Reflect!:

Don't let your emotions pass out. You need to address them then and there. Consider these three questions: How am I feeling?; Why am I feeling this way?; How can I feel better?. Carrying a baggage of emotions throughout the day and also to the next day and so on is the main reason people reach the breakdown or melting point. One way to avoid such a situation is to vent out and release them once they originate. It's almost like digestion and excretion. You can't and should not keep away from them.

7. Use "SELF-LOVE" as a distraction:

Indulge in self-care and self-love to boost your self-esteem. Go for a walk, shopping, salon, eat your favorite flavored ice cream, all in all, do the most unproductive things in those days which makes you feel comfortable and easy-going because for you these are productive, as they are helping you heal your mind.

8. Get enough rest: I know it might seem a little difficult to get rest when your mind is racing with negative thoughts but once you give yourself this break you feel energized and refreshed from within. This also helps you see things differently as you have entered a new headspace.