Lesson 2: Emotions and Criminal Behaviour

10 - Nurturing our Positive Emotions

What can we do to conquer negative emotions? How can we develop the strength to enable us to meet all challenges in our lives? People need a balance of physical, emotional, and mental support.

Developing Physical Strengths

An apple a day...

Cultivate and maintain good health habits. Mind and body work as one. Getting enough rest and sleep, balanced meals, and adequate exercise are essential elements. Keep your weight at a healthy level. Eat breakfast. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Have regular medical check ups. Avoid excessive sugar or fats.

Exercise is very important. Regular, moderate physical exercise is one of the best ways to increase self-esteem, boost a person’s sense of power, and stimulate creativity. It can make people more emotionally resilient. Positive health habits can increase life expectancy by up to fifteen years.

Developing Emotional Strengths

A friend in need...

Find a person you can confide in, and talk out your troubles. The term catharsis means relieving emotional tensions by verbalizing one’s feelings. By sharing problems with others, we might be comforted in knowing that many others have had the same problems and managed to conquer them. We may be too emotionally involved in a situation to think about it clearly, but friends can give us an objective perspective. Circles of support add to well being.

Reach out. In social relationships, learn to be considerate and develop the quality of caring. Be temperate in your criticism of others. Sincerity is another valuable asset. Develop that intensity of understanding and relating to other people, namely empathy. Search for some worthwhile causes in life and pursue them.

Developing Mental Strengths

When the kettle boils...

Use constructive work or active leisure interests to release or reduce negative emotions such as anger, hostility, and tension. We must admit to aggression and other related feelings before these emotions can be channelled into positive projects.

Maintain a positive outlook. Look at the humourous side of a situation. When you are confronted by too many demands, slow down, and take one problem at a time. This allows you a better chance to remain calm and in control of anxiety. Realize that life is full of changes and be ready to adapt to the changes you face. Be reasonable in setting levels for achievement neither too high (leading to frustration) or too low (leading to lack of interest).

Job satisfaction is extremely important for good mental and physical health. Some studies suggest a close relationship between job enjoyment and the prediction of longevity. Work and leisure should complement each other.

Relax, relax

Meditation is a remedy for stress practised by many people. Meditation is a relaxation technique that allows the person to get in touch with his or her true inner nature. Relaxation makes a person healthier, but a spiritual aspect helps the soul as well as the body. Slow breathing has a very calming effect. Another relaxation technique is to imagine something that is serene and peaceful. Meditation has been shown to reduce blood pressure and ease emotional tension.

Sometimes the best way to tackle problems is to get away from them for a while enabling a fresh start. Keep smiling!