Do you struggle with expressing your feelings even to your close friends?

Many individuals have a phobia of expressing their emotions. This makes it difficult for them to effectively communicate with their loved ones and acquaintances, and they often feel misunderstood and frustrated.

Here’s how you can overcome your struggle and get better at expressing yourself.

Identify What You’re Feeling & How You’re Feeling It

Before you can proceed to expressing your feelings, identify what it is that you’re feeling in the first place. Not only that but you should also understand and analyze the way you’re processing these emotions.

The first question you’d ask in this scenario is of course “what am I feeling?” Do you feel angry? Sad? Hurt? Elated? Are you full of gratitude and happiness? Correctly identifying the feeling is the first step towards expressing yourself effectively.

Next, look at the factors that have potentially affected what you’re feeling. What caused you to be overjoyed or embarrassed? Why are you feeling this way at this particular instance? This will help you identify the root cause of your emotions.

Finally, look at any physical or psychological symptoms you may be exhibiting. Do you feel jitters in your stomach or feel your cheeks warming up? The way your body responds to these emotions also helps in identifying what you’re feeling, and why.

Don’t React; Respond

We often make the mistake of reacting to situations instead of responding to them. This especially tends to happen when we say things in the heat of the moment without having a chance to think about it first. Similarly, when we feel overwhelmed, we’re more likely to just blurt things out and regret it later.

The next time you find yourself getting worked up or fiddling with uncomfortable emotions, try to momentarily distance yourself from the conversation. This will help you calm down enough to think through what has been said and how you’re currently feeling. Once you get a chance to process your thoughts and feelings, you can then voice them out in a calm manner. You’ll be able to express yourself much better this way.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

Another rule of effective communication is paying attention to your body language. As clichéd as it may sound, sometimes the way you say things has a bigger impact than the words said.

When voicing out your thoughts and feelings, be mindful of your tone, facial expressions, and gestures. You want to communicate that you’re invested in the conversation and are open to opposing views and ideas. Your body position and expression all contribute to how the other person perceives you, and significantly affects your ability to express yourself.

Rekha Shrivastava at Blossom Hypnosis uses subconscious mind healing techniques to help her clients learn how to express emotions.

Book a Skype consultation with her today or visit her clinic in Pittsford, NY.