Emotions can be messages

Dr Susan David, Psychologist, Speaker and Author, says " Emotions are messengers. They signpost your needs and values"...and I think that there is alot of truth in this.

Our emotions can be messages to us- Let's take anxiety for example. Perhaps you've been feeling quite tense lately, your thoughts have felt louder and your tolerance is shorter. It takes you longer to unwind of an evening, because you are worrying about the next day. You can't quite pinpoint an exact reason for it, but you know you haven't felt your usual self for a few weeks. It's crucial to take physical health into account, as underlying medical reasons can contribute to increased anxiety for example. Looking at it from an emotional perspective too, what could the anxiety be trying to tell you?

For example, some messages that emotions may be trying to tell  us are:

- Is a boundary being respected or crossed?

- What do I need- is it being met or unmet? 

- Am I safe, or is this a warning and there is a real threat?

- Do I feel my personal values, principles or beliefs are agreed with or is this a conflict?

- Am I living a pace of life that is within my capacity and capability or am I living outside of it constantly?

- Are there too many demands in my life right now?

-Am I being my true self, or am I masking in situations and people-pleasing to get by?

- Am I in a comfort, growth or panic zone?

- Is there something deeper I am  feeling?

Emotions can give us valuable insight and ultimately, how we manage them is our responsibility. Therapy can be a place to identify and explore emotions, whether they are regular or complex emotions. It's a space to keep learning about emotional regulation and develop a deeper understanding of what matters to you.