8 UNIQUE WAYS TO IMMEDIATELY CHANGE YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE

It's been a full month since this nightmare started in Ukraine, my back home where I grew up and where my brother with his family lives among my other relatives- my extended family.

And in the last month, I had experienced, processed, and released so many emotions that I don't think I experienced in my 51 years. Despite many adversities that I faced in my life so far, this nightmare had been the hardest on many levels. I shared my experiences of the first week in three posts you can find links to those posts at the end of this article.

Today, however, I want to share some ways I used to change my emotional state even during the most difficult times and how you too can change yours.

If you need to change your mood or emotional state in a hurry, you have options available to you. Your emotional state affects your attitude, focus, decisions, and your ability to act. The ability to manage your emotional state is a powerful skill that must be mastered if you want to be able to get the most out of each day. If you can control your emotional state, you can be happier and more successful, saying that, it's important to note that you want to honor your feelings and emotions without bypassing, numbing, or sweeping your emotions under the rug.

Take control of your emotional state with these strategies:

1. MOVE.

Your emotions are actually body feelings created by your thoughts. E-motions= energy in motion. If you move your body, the way your body feels will change, you can interrupt your emotions through motion - moving your body. Moving is one of the most effective ways to change your emotional state.

There are many ways to use your body to alter your emotions.

Here are just a few options:

• Stand straighter.
• Do jumping jacks.
• Dance.
• Stand up quickly.
• Spin around.
• Walk like a robot.
• Run.
• Skip.?
• Shake your body.

2. LAUGH.

Laughing feels really good! Make yourself laugh and you’ll feel differently, and the change is instantaneous. I was recalling all the funny moments with my brother. I was looking at our pictures from his visit in 2015 where we laughed and had great times.

• Think about something funny.
• Watch your favorite comedian.
• Talk with your funniest friend.
• Read a joke

3. DO SOMETHING THAT FRIGHTENS YOU.

If you want to take your mind off your current thoughts, fear is an effective way to do it. Your emotional state will change, guaranteed.

• Strike up a conversation with an attractive stranger.
• Have that conversation you’ve been avoiding.
• Go to the pet shop and ask to hold that scary-looking snake.

4. DRINK A LARGE GLASS OF COLD WATER.

A good drink of water can change how you feel. Making sure that it’s cold makes the experience jolting. Pour yourself a tall, cold glass of water, stand outside, and drink it

5. USE HEAT OR COLD.

Anything that impacts your body significantly can impact your emotional state, too. Heat and cold are all-encompassing experiences for your body. Your attention can’t help but notice them. Your brain and body are also taking notice. Your blood vessels expand or contract. You sweat more or less. There’s a lot going on when you expose yourself to significant temperatures.

• Sit outside on a hot or cold day.
• Take a hot shower or bath. Sit in a hot tub or sauna.
• Try a cold shower or bath

6. SING.

Singing is a novel way to change how you feel. If you’re not used to singing, it can feel awkward. If you sing regularly, you do so because it’s enjoyable. Either way, your emotional state will be impacted

7. DO SOMETHING NEW OR UNEXPECTED.

Shock your system by doing something totally out of character.

• Pull out the bike you haven’t ridden in years and go for a ride.
• Take a walk around the neighborhood if you rarely do so.
• Go out to a new restaurant.
• Call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in ages.
• Eat a tablespoon of hot sauce.
• Shake things up.

8. GIVE YOURSELF A CHANGE OF SCENERY.

It’s amazing how much difference you can feel if you just visit or move to a new location.

• Spend an hour at the coffee shop.
• Go to the library.
• Walk around the park.
• Sit out on your back patio.

Last weekend we flew to Seattle to meet up with our daughter to spend a few days of good quality time together. This change of scenery, great meaningful conversations, and lots of hugs made a huge difference in my emotional state. I hope that this invasion ends soon and that we can start rebuilding my back home with a lot of help from all over the world.

You have an emotional state of some sort every waking moment of the day. The real question is whether or not it's a useful emotional state. Even more importantly, is it the optimal emotional state for the current moment? You can change your emotional state with practice. You can even change it quickly!

PS Three posts that can give you a better understanding of my emotional state during the first few days of this senseless invasion of Ukraine.

1. The day after war in Ukraine started

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/katyamcewen_empathy-prayforukraine-activity-6902630389609848832-hA8K?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

2. Don't feel guilty enjoying living your life

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/katyamcewen_sunflower-peace-help-activity-6903813347528294400-uUtA?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

3. Overcoming shame and guilt of being Russian born

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/katyamcewen_standwithukraine-love-activity-6904873966775988224-5KO_?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web