Everyone goes through struggles and overwhelming things in life. You can either bury the stress or learn to break free and process it healthily. 

More times than I can probably count, my life has felt incredibly stressful, throwing me into a jumble of emotions. As a mom of five boys, and also the founder and owner of Elderberry Queen, things can build up fast for me. 

It can be easy to let my emotions get the best of me and drag me down. But this is the last thing I need to deal with. So, I’ve been on a journey to learn how to care for my body the right way so that when things get hectic, I can process my emotions in a healthy, productive way. 

That’s exactly why I wanted to share this with you. You don’t need something complicated or unrealistic, just simple, practical ways you can start processing your emotions more healthily, right where you are.

Life is too short to feel like you’re constantly being ruled by stress, frustration or emotions you don’t know what to do with. Emotions aren’t the problem; they’re actually a gift. But if we don’t learn how to handle them, they can quickly start to spiral out of control.

There’s a pattern I see so often, and one I know all too well myself. Something small happens, and it feels overwhelming. But life is busy, so you push it down and keep going. Then it happens over and over again until everything feels hopeless.

This is a cycle that can be broken, with time, commitment and baby steps.

Processing Your Emotions Matters

Learning to process your emotions is crucial so they don’t build up. But when they do, and that bad cycle keeps repeating itself, prioritizing how to healthily process your emotions can make it all better. It matters more than you think, and can change the way you deal with your emotions. 

Our emotions are constantly trying to communicate something to us, which gets exhausting, to say the least. Sometimes it feels like the easiest way to deal with it is to ignore it until you feel like it’s gone away. All this does is lead to physical and mental distress, which makes things feel even worse. 

Here is why it’s so important to slow down and process your emotions: 

• It can improve your physical health and reduce symptoms associated with suppressing your emotions, such as stomach pain, headaches and fatigue. 

• You can feel more motivated because a clear mind helps you make better decisions without a ton of emotions lurking in the background. 

• Mental health struggles will be lighter. When you are dealing with so many emotions that keep piling up, it leads to heightened anxiety and depression that is difficult to navigate without processing those emotions. 

• You can be resilient when hard things come your way, without it building on top of other emotions, so bouncing back from hardship will feel much easier. 

• Relationships can be healthier when you regularly process your emotions, so you can communicate and empathize in a healthy way. 

These are all reasons that can be highly motivating to start learning how to process your emotions healthily. Because it not only improves your mental and physical state but also improves the relationships in your life. 

If you’re wondering where you can start, I’ve got you covered. Taking even the smallest of steps can make a huge shift in your everyday life, and you’ll feel so much more grounded and ready to face whatever comes your way. 

Simple Ways to Process Your Emotions

The good news is that you don’t need to be perfect. Learning to manage your emotions isn’t something that happens overnight, and it can look a little different for everyone. So remember to be easy on yourself, and focus on daily progress, no matter how small or big that may be. 

This isn’t something you need a full-on daily routine for; it takes consistency and effort, using practices that work for you. Just having simple steps to look back on and use in those moments can do wonders. That’s why I’ve come up with some things that have worked well for me, and some of my friends too. 

• Pause, and take a deep breath. When you feel those emotions running high, step back and ask yourself, “What am I feeling?” Naming exactly what you are feeling helps you figure out how to process that specific emotion in a way that actually works. 

• Spend some time outside. One of the most therapeutic things to do is to step outside, breathe in fresh air and feel the sunlight. This is a great place to clear your head and get some light exercise done to release endorphins and reduce your stress. 

• Journal whatever you’re feeling. Putting your feelings down on paper, no matter how messy it may be, can feel freeing. For me, this helps me pinpoint what is causing these feelings and why. 

• Try out breathing techniques. There are so many different breathing techniques specifically for stress, and one that works well for me is box breathing. Box breathing is when you inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, then exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 more seconds and repeat as needed. 

• Do something calming, and truly relax your body. Find something that calms your nerves and makes you happy. Like sipping on a cup of tea on the porch, painting, reading a book, praying or even just taking a much-needed nap. 

• Support your body during the day. Make sure to fuel your body with nourishing foods that make you feel better, not worse. Focus on whole foods and drinking lots of water. 

• Talk to someone about it. Whether it’s a friend, family member, partner or therapist, talking out your emotions can be beneficial. You can get some great, realistic advice and comfort by opening up. 

Incorporating simple habits like this when you start to feel overwhelmed can help you practice healthy ways to process your emotions as soon as they pop up. Remember, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation; different things work for different people and for different kinds of emotions, too. 

These steps are a good place to start and make progress. Doing something is always better than doing nothing, so be confident, take those negative thoughts captive and gently process those emotions as soon as you can; it’ll make all the difference. 

You Can Do This; You’re Not Alone

When we allow our emotions to take control and build up, it can feel so isolating and scary. But I want you to know that you are never alone in this fight. Chances are, most people you know are also dealing with the same thing, so don’t be afraid to share your feelings. 

Remember those simple steps we talked about, and take time for yourself so you can be the best you can be for those around you. 

Here at Elderberry Queen, we want the best for you, your friends and your family. So click here to sign up for our newsletter to get more health and wellness tips like this sent directly to you. 

To continue reading more health tips now, here are a few that have changed my life for the better. 

• Spring Clean Your Body

• Getting Your Hormones Checked

• Cutting Screen Time

• Brain Fog: The Silent Killer

• 10-Minute Wellness Nighttime Routine

• From Stressed to Steady

Start small, stay consistent and trust that as you care for your body and mind, things will get better, one day at a time!