Recovery is a roller coaster of emotions, from frustration to fear to anger to guilt. While it’s certainly not easy, taking control of these often misunderstood emotions is essential for lasting sobriety. According to Time Magazine, if you don’t express your emotions, it can be very bad for your health.
Alcohol and drug addiction can numb your emotions. Once you get sober, your emotions may become more intense. This intensity may lead you to wonder how to express emotions in a healthy way. Part of recovery is learning how to manage those feelings without relapsing. Here are a few healthy ways to better cope with and release any feelings felt during recovery.
Express Emotions in a Healthy Way
Here are a few ways to express emotions in a healthy way:
Talk About It
According to Forbes, talking about your emotions can be greatly beneficial. Whether it’s a parent, aunt or uncle, guidance counselor or sponsor, seek out someone you trust to be your sounding board. Talking about what you’re going through can help you work out solutions to problems. It can also help you build stronger, better relationships!
Start a Journal
Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you figure out what you’re feeling and why, and then help you let it all go. Try it – take just 15 minutes per day and write freely, without censoring yourself. Writing a journal also lets you look back at your past, and see how far you have come.
Tap Into Your Creative Side
Creativity is a great way to work out your feelings. Choose something you enjoy or try something new, whether writing poetry, painting, playing an instrument, singing or dancing. Science has proven that singing releases endorphins, which makes you feel happier.
Take a Long Breath In
Take a deep calming breath in and now breathe out for the count of five. Repeat. This type of deep breathing can help you quell any negative feelings. Deep breathing can also help you relax.
Practice Meditation
Meditating is gaining more and more ground when it comes to mental health. It’s a simple technique and it’s super powerful for moving through “stuck” feelings into a place of healing. Through meditation, you can clear your mind of the outside noise and negative thoughts. You’ll find your energy renewed at the end of a meditation session.
Let It Out
Feeling your emotions fully can certainly help you feel better in the short-term, so go ahead and have a good cry once in a while. There’s no reason to be ashamed of tears. They are part of being human.
Finding Emotional Support at Red Oak Recovery®
Our serene campuses provide a place where our clients can step away from the distractions of daily life and focus on inward reflection. There are many paths we take for emotional healing and spiritual growth. We treat several types of addiction, including:
To learn more about how to express emotions in a healthy way and about our addiction treatment programs for young adult males, call Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590.
