[ Journals] VII - Manage Your Emotions

You’ve been studying for hours. You feel burned-out and really need a break. You sit down to watch TV. Your mom comes in and yells at you: “You should be studying! Turn off that TV and get to work!” You feel angry and frustrated. So what do you do?

Everyone deals with emotions differently. Do you handle yours in a healthy way? Uncontrolled or suppressed emotions, especially anger, can hurt you—and everyone around you! The following tips will help you control your anger and other strong emotions.

Take a deep breath. Deep breathing will help relax you. It also forces you to slow down and let your mind catch up with your emotions.

Figure it out. Understanding what you’re feeling is the key to dealing with your emotions. Don’t worry about other people’s behavior. Figure out what you can do to help the situation that’s bugging you. Let your emotions motivates you to take positive action.

Get moving. Taking a walk or exercising provides a healthy way to use your emotional energy. It will also help relieve stress.

Laugh about it. No, humor doesn’t make your problems go away, but it can help you regain perspective. Tell jokes, find the funny movie. You’ll feel better and your problems might seem smaller.

Talk about it. Putting your feelings into words helps you trust and tell them what’s bugging you. Just make sure the person you talk to isn’t someone who will encourage your anger. And try to keep things in perspective; don’t just complain.

Take care yourself. Always eat right, exercise and get enough sleep. Emotions are easier to control when you’re well-rested and healthy.

Take responsibility. Emotions aren’t always under your control, but your actions are. So take responsibility for what you do; don’t blame others. That usually just makes the situation worse.

Learn to forgive. Most important, learn to accept and forgive yourself and others. Holding a grudge will hurt you more than anyone. Forgiveness may or may not heal a broken relationship, but it always heals the one who forgives.

---------------------------------------------------------------
I. Summarize


II. Vocabulary words and phrases
i. new words/phrases
ii. useful / phrases


III. The reason I chose this article