Self-expression involves communicating your uniqueness and individuality. And learning appropriate and healthy ways to express yourself is a fantastic way to live a more fulfilling and satisfying life. It is also a great way to improve self-confidence and release feelings, improving your mental health. A study has also shown that expressing emotions can decrease stress and other associated health problems, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Below are seven habits that help you express yourself effectively.
- Try journaling
Writing down your emotions and feelings to clearly understand them can minimize stress and offer anxiety relief. Journaling is also helpful in identifying your anxiety triggers and stressors to find the right solution or coping mechanism. However, there is no right or wrong way to journal your emotions. You can write down your feelings daily without worrying about spelling or grammatical errors and do so as often as you feel. Your journal will be your safe and personal space, so you decide whether to keep it private and only share the parts you want.
- Use positive self-talk
Everybody has inner conservations that are sometimes unpleasant and unhelpful. However, it can be difficult to express yourself healthily if you have a negative inner dialogue. Consider whether the messages in your thoughts are harmful, and focus on replacing them with good ones. Using positive self-talk may not be as simple as it sounds. Still, there are a few ways you can help your brain interpret and process your daily experiences. Avoid falling into the negative self-talk trap by treating yourself like you would a friend, prioritizing self-care, and limiting exposure to negative experiences or people.
- Take up photography
Each art form has distinct advantages. It doesn’t matter so much whether you are an artist or enjoy DIY crafts; photography can teach you something new and help you express yourself. Taking photographs as a pastime can be rewarding, especially when you discover the right moment to capture. However, photography can be challenging in various ways, depending on your chosen genre. But getting the right equipment can help make things easier. For example, you can check out a well-rounded camera like the Olympus EM10 if you are in the market for a reliable way to take your photos.
- Open up to someone
Openly sharing your feelings with somebody you trust, whether a relative, friend or therapist, can help you put things in perspective. That’s because you can deflate negative or intense emotions by saying them out loud. Opening up on your true feelings allows you to process your thoughts in a calmer environment. It is normal to feel confused about feelings and specify whether you are anxious, irritated, or worried. Unfortunately, this can be very stressful. Sometimes you question whether your emotions are warranted or whether the intensity is appropriate for the situation. Talking about a problem might help you figure out your emotions and help you acquire clarity, and learn more about yourself.
- Express yourself through music
Singing along to your favorite music, composing your own song, or trying your hands on a musical instrument can be a healthy way to express your feelings. Music can be amazingly therapeutic, whether the lyrics resonate with your present feeling, produce a good vibe, or help you channel your feelings through the sounds you make. Singing in the shower or in your car during a road trip can be an emotional and satisfying feeling. Music and sound offer limitless ways to express yourself, so keep this in mind.
- Practice mindfulness
Whether in guided meditation, yoga, or breath control, mindfulness increases optimism, happiness, good emotional states, and self-acceptance. Each of these consequences helps to promote emotional expressiveness and improve mental health. According to research, mindfulness can help you filter distractions, enhance your memory and concentration, and regulate your emotions. Mindfulness practitioners reported decreased emotional responses and increased active cognitive focus. You don’t even need to just stick with yoga for this. Plenty of games, like sudoku, can help with your mindfulness while also being enjoyable.
- Learn to forgive
Holding a grudge against yourself or someone else is the polar opposite of expression. You learn to let go of any resentment you harbor when you open your heart and intellect to positive expression. Individuals who practice self-forgiveness have been shown to have better emotional and mental health, more positive attitudes, and healthier relationships. Unfortunately, many people think they won’t accept responsibility and cultivate discipline if they don’t blame themselves for their shortcomings, so keep this in mind. However, you learn and grow through mistakes, so go easy on yourself and appreciate the positives that come with your faults.
