There are so many strategies around, how do you know which ones will work?

Our bodies have a built-in mechanism called the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response that generates different chemicals and hormones when our emotions become too overwhelming. This response is intended to protect us and keep us safe. However, our brain tricks these chemicals into reacting within us. To break this cycle, we need to adopt a positive coping strategy that communicates to our brains that we are safe and don't need to fight, run away or freeze. It takes time to practice this, but it's achievable. We must teach our brains that we are safe and learn to manage our emotions. It's normal to feel doubtful sometimes, but anyone can take control of their feelings.

What Strategies?

Open Book with quote Don't close the book when bad things happens in life, just turn the page and start a new chapter

When we talk about our troubles, whether with a friend or a professional, there is often a discussion about strategies. With so many strategies available, it can take time to determine which one will work best for you. Moreover, strategies may need to be adapted or changed as we change, particularly for children due to their physical and emotional development.

The purpose of strategies is to help you manage your emotions by removing yourself from the situation that is causing distress. The stressful situation could be something happening in the present or a past event which affects you emotionally. Strategies can help you focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. By doing so, they can prevent negative emotions from taking over your thoughts and leading to additional emotional difficulties and negative coping habits.

Therefore, finding the right strategy that works for you is essential. Finding the right one may take some trial and error, so keep trying and give the technique time to work, as it can take time to get used to something new. Keep persevering.

Different types of Strategies

Mountain with quote Don't be afraid to start over again. This time, you are not starting from scratch, you are starting from experience

What types of strategies are available to manage our emotions? We can get creative, spend time outside, or do anything that helps us relax and stay calm. These are all extraordinary preventative measures. However, what should we do when our emotions are taking over?

There will be times when we need something to help us manage our emotions at that moment. In that immediate moment, our emotions can become too overwhelming to handle, and we need something to bring us back to the present. Here are some examples of things you can try:

  • Breathing techniques

  • Physical sensation techniques

  • Meditation

  • Mindfulness

  • Grounding

  • Positive emotional outlets

Even within these examples, there are different ways to try, and you can combine different strategies. Please get in touch with me or check out my thoughts and ideas.

To assist you in considering various strategies you could implement, look at our 30-day challenge for Stress Awareness Week. It may provide you with straightforward and alternative ideas to help you reflect on which strategies you could try to support your emotional wellbeing.

Why should strategies matter?

Questions and Answers

  • I have tried so many strategies and they still don't work?

    Don’t worry, it maybe you just haven’t found the right strategy to suit you, right now. Keep trying and you will find the right one. You can always contact me for some tips as I will be happy to help or it might be you need some help from a professional, always contact your GP is you are concerned.

  • I don't like using breathing techniques, what else can I try?

    Breathing techniques aren’t for everyone. Not all children like breathing techniques so you could try some physical sensation techniques instead. These can be just as effective as breathing techniques and just as discreet.

  • What do I do if the strategy I use, stops working?

    Sometimes, we find a strategy which has worked in the past suddenly stops working, this is because we have either changed physically or emotionally and the strategy is not appropriate any more. All it means is you have to find a new strategy or adapt the one which has worked in the past.

How to fight the mental fight