How Do You Battle Your Feelings?

"Aaaargh!"

Yea! Boo. Aaargh!

How do you feel when your best bud makes the team and you don't? Think about it. Are you happy? Are you sad? Maybe you're mad. Chances are you feel something. Welcome to emotions... we've all got 'em.

Emotions usually happen after some event, like not making the team when your friend does. It may not even be a big deal like tryouts. They can be triggered by something as simple as a thought. "What if I'm not good enough to make the team?" or "What if every one laughs at me?"

Step Back and Get Out of Your Head!

Your body reacts to change in three ways. First, it SEES IT or PERCEIVES IT - something has happened. It could be an action done to you or by you or it could be a thought. Next, you FEEL IT. Maybe you clench your fist, your head hurts or you feel as if you're going to barf. Finally, you DEAL WITH IT. You may yell, cry, or hit something. Dealing is coping and it's what others see.

Smack-down Champions of the Universe!

Imagine that you are in a ring. In one corner are your feelings (what your body is signaling) and in the other is your mood (what your head is telling you). They come out swinging against each other. It's like a smack-down between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Stop the fight! Your body and head should work together, as a tag-team, not against each other. Coach yourself to pay attention to what your are thinking and what your body is telling you. You will win.

Xtreme Exercises

1. Think of a situation that made you feel emotion. What was it? Write it down. Where did you feel it in your body? What thoughts were in your head?

2. Get a piece of white paper and markers/crayons. Make a picture that shows how you are feeling right now. Show the picture to someone that you know and talk about it.

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