{"id":283329,"date":"2024-07-09T15:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T15:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlslife.com\/?p=283329"},"modified":"2025-03-03T21:59:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T21:59:26","slug":"4-ways-to-cope-when-your-emotions-feel-overwhelming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/life\/283329\/4-ways-to-cope-when-your-emotions-feel-overwhelming\/","title":{"rendered":"4 ways to cope when your emotions feel overwhelming"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TikTok is in its self-care era right now (Bubble baths! Face masks! Morning routines!). But tbh, it feels like you couldn't be further from your glow up. <\/p>\n

We get it: All that aesthetically-pleasing advice can be hard to stomach when your mental health is suffering. Sure, candles and are awesome, but what if your feelings are too big to be breathed away?<\/p>\n

If you're dealing with heavy feelings that are affecting your ability to show up as your best self, you might be emotionally dysregulated. But wait—what even *is* emotional dysregulation, and how do you deal? Stick around, we're here to help.<\/p>\n

Signs of emotional dysregulation<\/span><\/strong><\/big><\/p>\n

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Lots of things can throw you off track. Major life events, grief, mental health<\/a> struggles and academic pressure can impact your wellbeing. Even things like a friend breakup, harsh criticism from your coach an argument with your 'rents can have a huge effect on your mood. <\/p>\n

Emotional dysregulation basically means that your feelings are all over the place—and that you're having trouble coping with them in a healthy way. As a result, it becomes incredibly difficult to complete your day-to-day tasks<\/a>. (Srsly, how can you worry about your term paper or soccer practice when you're cranky, weepy, overwhelmed and can't stop lashing out at your loved ones?)<\/p>\n

If you've been having a rough time lately, try to specifically identify how that's showing up in your everyday life. Feel like your to-do list is full of endless tasks? Can't sleep because your anxiety's got you tossing and turning? Not hungry, even for your bestie's famous cupcakes? More short-tempered than usual? These are all signs that you might be dealing with some serious emotional burnout<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Tip #1: Stick to comforting, nourishing meals<\/span><\/strong><\/big><\/p>\n

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\n@figuramoda<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

One of the main symptoms of emotional dysregulation is a loss of appetite. It can be hard to work up an appetite when you're super stressed, but forgoing food to get stuff done only makes you more unproductive in the long run.<\/p>\n

Having adequate nourishment not only improves your mood and your problem-solving abilities, but it's also essential for proper brain function. Eating right has been scientifically proven to increase the production of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which are known to improve your mental state.<\/p>\n

If emotional dysregulation makes it hard to eat, try eating at the same time every day (this can trick your brain into expecting food, even when you're not feeling up for a feast).<\/p>\n

Foods like salmon, avocado, eggs, spinach, lean meats and even dark chocolate have ah-mazing vitamins and minerals that can help you stay on track.<\/p>\n

Try this:<\/span><\/strong> <\/em><\/span>It's called "comfort food" for a reason! Sometimes we forget how big of a role food plays when it comes to feeling good. Try making a meal that reminds you of warm, simpler times (think: Mom's chicken noodle soup recipe or your fave veggie casserole). This is also a great time to revisit foods you loved as a kid. PB&J sandwiches on whole wheat bread and mac & cheese<\/a> are all fair game. <\/p>\n

Tip #2: Practice mindfulness<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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You have a term paper due tomorrow, but you're still trying to get ahead on last week's assignments.<\/a> Next week, you've got a meeting with the school council and then your bestie's birthday party and….<\/p>\n

Stop for a sec.<\/p>\n

Take a second to slow down. We don't often realize how stressed we are about the future until we're freaking out in the present. Take some deep breaths and do a quick body scan<\/a>: How are you feeling? How do those feelings present themselves in your body? Are your muscles feeling tense? Is your heart beating faster?<\/p>\n

Congratulations, you've just practiced mindfulness! Mindfulness, aka the act of bringing awareness to the here and now, is a great strategy for combating feelings of stress, anxiety and discomfort.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Try this: <\/span><\/strong>You don't need expensive books, an app subscription or a fancy retreat to practice mindfulness in the present moment. You can achieve peace of mind in less than five minutes. YouTube is full of some surprisingly great meditation resources<\/a> that can have you feeling zen faster than you can say "eat, pray, love."  Boho Beautiful<\/a>, Goodful<\/a> and Great Meditation<\/a> <\/span>all offer guided meditations that can offer a bit of reprieve from your hectic emotional state. <\/span><\/p>\n