What is emotional first aid
Physical health: When it comes to taking care of our physical health, everyone has an understanding of the basics.
Physical health: We all know, for example, that in order to prevent tooth decay we should brush our teeth once a day.
Physical health: Most of us don’t think twice about going to see a doctor or a dentist.
Emotional health: And yet when it comes to emotional health, the picture is very different.
Emotional health: People are reluctant to seek professional help because of the lingering stigma.
Emotional health: If left untreated, the psychological pain caused by experiences such as guilt, loneliness.
Emotional first aid: In 2014, psychologist Guy Winch gave a TED Talk about “emotional hygiene” or emotional first aid.
Emotional first aid: He gave some helpful, practical tips on how to practice emotional first aid.
Acknowledge emotional pain: The first step to take is to pay attention to and acknowledge emotional pain.
Acknowledge emotional pain: Although it may seem easier not to acknowledge those difficult feelings.
Acknowledge emotional pain: As soon as you notice persistent feelings of distress, loneliness, or even just a bad mood.
Redirect your thought process: This one is particularly important in the context of failure.
Redirect your thought process: Naturally this causes us to fail more and then dwell more on our shortcomings.
Redirect your thought process: Next time you fail at something, try to fight the instinct to dwell on it and instead make a list of everything.
Protect your self-esteem: If you want to be emotionally resilient, having a good level of self-esteem is important.
Protect your self-esteem: A good way to build that self-esteem back up is to practice self-compassion.