I used to hold onto negative emotions. But I realized that never did me any good in the long run.
When you’re holding onto anger, you have less room for love…
When you’re holding onto resentment, you have less room for happiness...
When you’re holding onto fear, you have less room for creativity...
Every time you’re in a state of anger, resentment, fear, sadness, guilt, or shame, you literally limit your ability to think clearly, feel safe, and manifest the better things in life.
That’s why it’s important to release your negative emotions daily. Here are 3 of my favorite ways:
1. Write it down. This allows you to get it out of your head and onto a piece of paper. When we hold onto these feelings and emotions, we store them in our physical body like our backs, stomachs, and other muscles. Studies have shown that our body takes on physical demonstrations of emotional pain. So instead of storing them there, jot them on a piece of paper. You can tell yourself “I’m going to release these feelings now and move on.” Writing down emotions also gives them less power, because you’re seeing them as merely a ‘thing’ on a piece of paper.
2. Do some deep breathing. Literally release this negative energy by breathing it all out. Inhale for 3 seconds, hold for 4, and exhale for 7. Repeat this at least 3x. This breathing technique immediately calms the sympathetic nervous system (stress/flight or fight response) and activates the parasympathetic (rest, digest, and relax response). Observe what you’re feeling and then visualize each exhale squeezing out every bit of that hurt, sadness, anger, or any other negative emotion you may be feeling.
3. Engage in an activity. Whether it be getting some endorphins pumping with a jog, going to a yoga class to open up and stretch, taking part in one of your favorite hobbies like creating art, or trying out a new project, engaging in an activity helps distance yourself from ruminating and overthinking. Acknowledge and accept how you feel, but decide to move on and do something to get your body moving or your creativity flowing. Both also happen to be excellent ways to release toxic, stagnant energy.
