On Emotional Fluctuations

This week's topic is emotional fluctuations. We all want to feel happy, energetic, and full of vitality all the time. Yet there are also times when we do not feel like doing anything and find ourselves in a sad or emotionally low mood.

When we find ourselves in such a state, we should remember that—provided it is not caused by a serious illness, depression, or another significant condition—this is something everyone experiences from time to time. What matters is not only the emotional state itself, but also what we do in response to it and what kinds of solutions we develop to help ourselves feel better.

Do we yell at everyone at home? Do we head straight to the kitchen and eat everything we can find? Do we choose to isolate ourselves from others? Do we start complaining about everything? Or do we develop more constructive solutions, such as going for a walk, spending time in nature, caring for plants or animals, or engaging in activities that make us feel good through sharing and connecting with others?

What do we do?

First of all, we need to acknowledge the emotional state we are experiencing. We should be able to say, “Yes, right now I feel a little down, irritable, tense, or unhappy.”

Then we can ask ourselves: What might be behind this feeling?

From there, we can begin thinking about clearer and more constructive solutions.

Could the situation be related to something that happened recently and is still affecting us? If so, we need to reflect on it and make plans for what we can do to feel more comfortable and at peace.

Excessive fatigue can bring impatience and a negative mood with it. In such situations, instead of pushing ourselves harder and becoming even more tense, it can be helpful to consider how we can take a short break, how we can plan some time to rest, and what alternatives are available within our current circumstances. Identifying an appropriate option and putting it into practice can help us feel more at ease.

Sometimes we may also discover that we continually create new things we believe we need in order to be happy, and then become unhappy when we cannot obtain them. For some people, this can become a recurring pattern.

For example, not receiving the promotion we wanted, our child receiving lower grades than the neighbor's daughter, not being able to buy the shoes we wanted, or simply not getting everything we want may lead to distress.

Yet getting everything we want can also create dissatisfaction and emotional discomfort, because eventually there may be no goal left to pursue and no direction in which to grow.

Making happiness dependent on circumstances can also create a persistent sense of inner dissatisfaction. We need to recognize that peace comes from within. Although certain family, health, and personal circumstances certainly affect us, we should not make our sense of happiness dependent solely on external factors such as what we obtain or possess.

In some situations, hormones produced by the body may also affect our mood. For example, research has examined the roles of serotonin and dopamine in mood regulation. Some studies have suggested that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may be associated with improved mood. Some experts have also suggested that certain fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that may influence brain systems associated with positive mood.

From this perspective, it can be said that healthy and mindful nutrition may also contribute positively to our emotional well-being.

At the same time, we should recognize that many of the difficulties and challenges we experience can contribute to our personal growth. It is uncertain how much we would actually develop through a life in which everything is easy and everything we want is immediately available.

Therefore, we should not allow difficulties to overshadow our inner sense of peace.

There are many emotional factors that can negatively affect a positive emotional state. These include:

Fear
Stress
Anxiety
Frustration
Anger
Sadness
A perception of life as overwhelmingly difficult
Feelings of loneliness

We will explore these subjects in greater detail in the coming weeks.

See you next week…

(Published on the “Gelişimin Gücü” Blogspot, May 11, 2019.)