The happiest people tend to be those who have developed inward control to maintain a balanced mind without becoming overly emotional.  Emotionalism is best when converted into into strength of mind, which is power. Emotions governed by calm equates to wisdom. This emotional strength builds magnetism. Emotional people who are also intelligent are attractive to others. Those who are both intelligent and emotional have greater powers of attraction. Intelligence combined with emotions rouses others. Add conviction with intelligence and sincerity and you have even greater strength. Emotions begin as thoughts. Practice and learn to control your emotions, and you become a powerful force. It’s not easy. I have not mastered it. But it is my personal daily challenge. 

Since practicing emotional self-control can be beneficial for your overall well-being and relationships, here are some strategies to help you develop and improve your personal emotional self-control:

  • Cultivate mindfulness by bringing your attention to the present moment. Notice your emotions as they arise without judgment or immediate reaction. Developing self-awareness helps you recognize triggers and patterns in your emotional responses.
  • When you feel intense emotions, take slow, deep breaths. Deep breathing activates the body’s relaxation response, helping to calm your mind and body. You can also practice other relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation or meditation to manage emotional intensity.
  • If you feel overwhelmed by an intense emotion, try to delay your response. Give yourself time to think before acting. Engage in a distracting activity or change your physical environment temporarily to create space for reflection and regain composure. Even something as simple as focusing on any object you can find — giving it a steady focused gaze for 15 seconds, then looking off to the distance — can help.
  • Challenge and reframe negative or exaggerated thoughts that fuel intense emotions. Consider alternative perspectives or interpretations of the situation. By changing your thinking patterns, you can influence your emotional responses.
  • Prioritize self-care activities that help you reduce stress and maintain emotional balance. This isn’t always easy — but it’s of paramount importance. Engage in regular exercise, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and find & include activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being can positively impact your emotional self-control.
  • Practicing effective communication skills that express your emotions and needs in a clear and respectful manner will help.  That is what this blog is all about: Learning to communicate more effectively.  As we learn to assertively communicate our thoughts and feelings without becoming aggressive or passive, life improves. Effective communication can help prevent emotional outbursts and improve understanding in relationships.
  • Learning to enhance our problem-solving abilities to address challenging situations is essential. A good start is learning to break problems down into smaller, manageable steps. We can all do this by taking the time to consider various solutions (yes, there’s usually more than one!) and evaluating potential outcomes. By focusing on finding solutions rather than dwelling on negative emotions, we can all maintain better emotional control.
  • Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or professionals when you need extra support. This is not a sign of weakness: It’s a sign of self-awareness which is a strength. Discussing your emotions and challenges with others can provide alternative perspectives, validation and maybe advice, if you want to consider it. A support network can help you manage difficult emotions and offer guidance during challenging times.

Remember, developing emotional self-control takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.

This is Silver Disobedience® #philosophy I’m @DianGriesel aka @SilverDisobedience