What does it even mean to "sit with your feelings?"

🌊 Feeling overwhelmed by your emotions? People telling you to “sit with your feelings” but not sure why or how?! You’re not alone!

“Sitting with your feelings” is a powerful practice that can transform the way you relate to yourself and others. ✨ It’s about acknowledging, accepting and experiencing your emotions without immediately trying to change, suppress or react to them. It involves creating a space for yourself to fully engage with and explore what you’re feeling. This matters because acknowledging your emotions helps you understand what you are experiencing. Emotional awareness can provide insight into your thoughts, behaviors, and reactions, allowing you to navigate your experiences more effectively, as well as develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your values. At the same time, sitting with your feelings, understanding and expressing your emotions can also improve your relationships. It enables you to share your experiences authentically, enhance your communication with others and build empathy and deeper connections. 💕

Conversely, bottling up or ignoring emotions can lead to emotional distress and physical health problems. Feeling your emotions and processing them in a healthy way can prevent long-term psychological issues like anxiety or depression.

Here’s how you can start sitting with your feelings ⬇ 1. Awareness: Tune in and identify what you’re feeling. This might look like paying attention to physical sensations associated with those feelings or simply recognizing and naming the emotion.

2. Acceptance: Don’t judge your emotions - every single one is valid. It’s okay to feel whatever you’re feeling even if it’s uncomfortable or difficult.

3. Observation: Rather than reacting or trying to change the emotion, observe how these feelings manifest in your body or the thoughts in your mind. This can involve tuning into the physical sensations you may experience or reflecting on your thoughts and how you’re speaking to yourself. 4. Non-attachment: Remember, emotions are temporary; they come and go. You don’t have to hold onto them or define yourself by them.

5. Processing: Take the time to reflect and process! Use this time to gain deeper insights about yourself, your needs and experiences.

6. Mindfulness: Be mindful and stay present, engaged and connected with yourself.

Remember to sit with your feelings and take advantage of the opportunity to process your emotions more fully! Having a healthier relationship with your emotions helps with better emotional regulation, healing and overall mental well-being. 👉 If sitting with and processing your feelings is something challenging for you or you don't want to do it alone, 📩 email me at hello@wholenesswellnessbar.com or drop me a message and lets talk more about what could help you unpack your emotions without being overwhelmed!