Dealing with overflowing emotions...

We all have overwhelming emotions from time to time…

Joanne couldn't sleep because every time she felt tired enough to go to bed, her mind would race around worrying about how she was going to be. caring for her aging mother after she fell too many times - and Joanne's lack of sleep was beginning to affect her work.

Paul was overwhelmed with concern for his wife because she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and this often erupted into anger and irritation when he really didn't want to say it about this way.

Justine had fought her feelings of jealousy, but sometimes when they came upon her, she felt dragged down by them and drowned in a pool of self-pity and fear.

Cassy had been secretly thinking about leaving her husband for years, but it always felt overwhelming to take a step to try to improve their marriage - or leave.

These are just a few examples of how emotions can become overwhelming and how they can rule our lives.

Most of us think we are "overwhelmed" and have overwhelming emotions because of circumstances and events in life.

We mistakenly believe that stress, upheaval, and the feelings that go with it are the result of things happening "out there" in our lives.

We believe that if something, someone, or an outside event changes in some way, we will feel better and feel less overwhelmed.

The truth is, overwhelming emotions are all an inside job, because two people can find themselves in similar situations and handle them in entirely different ways.

That's what we mean...

Of course, "real" things happen in our lives that we would rather not experience.

For example, the fact was that Joanne's mother had fallen and needed treatment.

But this goes deeper than what actually happened.

Feelings or our emotions arise from our reflection on the thoughts we have about the person or situation.

Joanne felt upset because she was worried about her mother, especially when she lay down to go to sleep, and saw no other choice but to quit her job and become a full-time babysitter.

We certainly don't make the villain "think" here.

It's just that if you're stressed or overwhelmed, a certain way of thinking has become a habit and your go-to place when there's a different, out-of-the-ordinary situation for you or maybe be similar to a past circumstance.

Overwhelm comes from believing and reliving by thinking about the past or creating a future that may or may not be true and making that thought increasingly real and intense.

It comes from thinking that you have few or no good options in a situation and don't want any of them.

What's the secret to dealing with overwhelming emotions?

It's acknowledging that you're overthinking and allowing yourself to calm down so that new thoughts can emerge...

And you have a choice.

New ideas cannot pass through a crushing whirlwind of fear and doubt.

The truth is that even though our emotions seem real, we all have the ability to "calm down".

When Joanne calmed down and realized that her thinking was clouding her ability to make decisions, she began to take action to find someone to help care for her mother.

When Paul settled down, he saw the source of his anger and was able to tell his wife how scared he was but that they would get through this together.

When Justine saw that she didn't have to buy her jealous thoughts and bring them to life, she was able to date her husband without her emotions sabotaging the evening. She knew what to do when those thoughts came!

When Cassy realized that staying in limbo, with one foot in the relationship and one foot out, wasn't healthy for either of them, she decided to seek help to see her situation more clearly.

Overwhelming emotions don't have to hold you hostage and make your life hell.

Life can be more fun and filled with more love, and it's within your reach!

If you have a question or would like to speak with one of us about your stress and overwhelming emotions, contact us here…