Navigating the World of Emotional Sensitivity: When Little Things Make Us Miserable
Being emotionally sensitive can sometimes make life very challenging. However, it is a wonderful trait to care so much about the world around us. When we are extremely sensitive, we must be careful that such emotions don’t lead us to negative outcomes. Caring a great deal must be kept in perspective. Some of us are naturally more empathetic due to our makeup, while others were influenced by role models who taught us to be empathetic.
Emotional sensitivity often stems from having too much going on. Everyone experiences ups and downs, but it's important to track our emotions to understand and navigate them effectively. Emotional sensitivity can sometimes lead to crying, and while crying is a natural release, it's essential to find healthy outlets for the emotional tension that builds.
The Role of Emotional Tension and Depression
Sexual tension is one form of emotional tension, and finding an outlet for it is crucial. One of the best explanations for depression I've heard is, 'because reality doesn’t match what you want in your mind.' This becomes a habit over time. Reflecting on my own depression, I found that the statement resonated deeply with me. From the smallest things to the biggest, I realized the issue was often with my own thoughts and feelings about a particular situation, and only I had the power to change it.
Understanding that the problem was within myself and my thought processes made it easier to overcome depression. The journey to overcoming it wasn't easy, but the episodes became more rare and shorter in duration. I needed solutions but was often trapped in a comforting yet unhealthy state of mind. This contradiction was my prisoner, a love/hate relationship with my depression.
Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Emotional Sensitivity
1. Meditation
Meditation involves reflection, letting go, and repetition. Reflecting on past depressive episodes and discarding those thoughts and feelings from my mind has helped. Not only do the thoughts and feelings fade, but I've had many "ah-ha!" moments. I even started to realize I had an affinity for that feeling and was addicted to it!
2. Movement
Studies show that changing your physiology can alter your mood. Although I couldn't force myself to pretend to laugh or be happy, getting up and moving, whether through exercise or simply working, has gradually lessened the intensity of my depression.
3. Self-awareness
Knowing the source of my depression has made it easier to detach from "when reality doesn’t match your mind." Journalling helped me continue to detach from those thoughts and feelings. Awareness is a powerful tool in managing emotional sensitivity.
4. Eating Properly
The connection between gut and brain is significant. I noticed a pattern of poor eating during depressive episodes, which likely exacerbated the situation. Proper nutrition, particularly focusing on gut health, is crucial for emotional well-being.
5. Gradual Change
Whenever I felt depressed, the compounded negativity of "here we go again!" or "no matter how hard I try!" thoughts made recovery more difficult. Acknowledging that taking three steps forward and two steps back is still progress is important. Bit by bit, 1 step at a time, change happens.
Conclusion
Don’t let your emotional sensitivity become a burden. By taking control bit by bit, you can conquer this challenge. Follow these strategies and remember, if I can do it, you can do it too.