ProNurse

I posted a blog about how to be happy and the idea that people seem to have lost the skill of emotional control. This has received a fair bit of criticism and it's true I haven't yet explained whast I mean by 'techniques' yet. That will take some time.

But I'd be interested in your thoughts.

You can access the blog post and the comments on it here:

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/how-to-be-happy/

What do you think? Am I really being too radical?

Cheers,

Stuart

I don't think your being too radical.

I made a mistake a few months ago by leaving work as to prevent an onset of my panic attacks which I hadn't experienced in years and quite frankly scared the hell out of me to have them back. Problem is I stopped doing the one thing which firstly gives me greater purpose and secondly forces me to keep my emotions in check. I refuse to walk around a ward sad even if my life is falling apart I will always smile and find reasons to encourage others to do so including patients. I find it helps with the healing process and in turn I am actually happy.

When I took the time off I became lost and depressed and everything went wrong.. I dwelled on it instead of using the techniques I had learnt from CBT to counteract these thoughts.. my mistake. If I can control my emotions for the sake of others why not for myself? Maybe its a motivation thing because you have to be motivated to make these things work which is quite an effort when theres more bad than good .. yet possible if you make it your focus, your goal for the day. But you can't take fake emotion you have to create a reason to be happy which is probably what some ppl can't get their heads around when their life is a mess "what is there to smile about?"

The small things are taken for granted nowadays but can really encourage a good mood. You said in your blog how inspiring the scenery was on your drive.. its a small thought but it puts you in a good mood. Its something that can be easily missed. If you look outside yourself, stop focusing on the bad emotions and look outwards you can usually find something that will make you smile or calm inside and those small things can be used all day as you reflect on those moments.

So no I don't think its radical a bit to get your head around and takes time to learn the technique.. but achievable I think. And its alot more complex than telling ppl to pull themselves together.

I think control might be too strong a word but manage  yes. Any reading around emotional intelligence has proven that. The important thing is , i think is not to try and bury emotions they will only pop back up or ignore how you are feeling. Feelings are the things that tell us something is good or bad. Managing our emotions means it is okay to be happy or sad, angry or frustrated but it is how we deal with those emotions as they arise is what will help us through a  certain situation. 

It is not radical it is essentail

it would help if i could spell properly but hey emotions sometimes get in the way

well done tan1aw you are living proof that it works then but I agree sometimes people need a little help

And part 5 is here - the basics of Padesky's 'hot cross bun' in action:

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/emotional-management-5-the-cognitive-model-thoughts-feelings-behaviours/

Cheers,

Stuart

Up to part 8 now:

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/emotional-management-8-unhelpful-thinking/

Cheers,

Stuart

this blog is well worth a read everyone Stuart has the knack of making it  sound so simple

Up to part 19 now and about halfway thorugh I think. This is really starting to become a labour of love but I'm enjoying it immensely. It's good to force yourself to clarify whay you think, what you know and what you think you know from time to time.

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/emotional-management-19-the-best-is-more-than-enough/

We'll be leavbing personal growth/change behind shortly and starting to applt these principles to health and social care work in another few posts. Just 'laying the foundations' with a few more posts first.

Cheers,

Stuart

Stress & vulnerability in mental disorder and why traditional psychiatry is far too limited and limiting. Traditional services maintain illness whereas more modern services aim toward genuine recovery.

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/emotional-management-24-introducing-%e2%80%98stress-and-vulnerability%e2%80%99/

Now we're up to part 30. it's turning into a real labour of love this but I'm finding it really good fun to write.

http://stuartsorensen.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/emotional-management-30-biological-stressors/

Cheers,

Stuart