The first step in regulating and coping with emotions is to become aware of them and recognize how you feel. Here are four ways to increase your Emotional Awareness:

1. Be more present and mindful of your emotions non-judgementally

Be aware of your body sensations, thoughts, and behaviors when your emotions arise.

2. Try to identify your emotions at the moment

Emotions are not only happiness, anger, sadness, and joy. There are many different emotions and feelings. Accurately identifying your feelings and emotions allows you to manage them, make informed decisions about what to do next, and communicate them to others.

3. Notice the intensity of your emotions

Understanding how intense of emotions and feelings you are experiencing informs whether and how you should take action and how to communicate your feelings to other people.

4. Notice your emotion patterns

Being aware of your feelings and emotional patterns will help you to build new and more effective ways to manage them.

(E.g., Triggers, feelings, intensity, body sensation, thoughts and behaviors)

Being aware of your emotions is the first step to managing them!

Practicing emotional awareness more often can enhance your sensitivity to emotions and help you regulate your emotions.

What methods do you have to increase emotional awareness? Feel free to leave a comment to share.