Coping with emotions
By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:
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Contents
Definitions of Emotions
EmotionThis is a subjective, impulsive response to a situation. It is devoid of logical reasoning and can be unpredictable. Emotions can be evoked in an individual by good or bad news delightful or sorrowful situations. One’s mental thought can also evoke emotions
Emotions are strong feelings in response to situations, issues and needs. These may cause mood swings in children and young people in their various developmental stages. Such emotions include: love fear, anger, shyness, self- doubt, hate, joy, frustration, sadness, guilt, jealousy.
| stage | content | process | time | facilitator |
| 1 | Objectives | Facilitator reads through the objectives | 5 mins | |
| 2 | Meaning of the term emotions | Facilitator request the participants to define the term “emotions” | 15 mins | |
| 3 | Identifying Emotions | Introduce the idea of emotions with a quick exercise.
• The facilitator asks some participants to volunteer. The volunteers pick flash cards with emotions written on them • The volunteers move out of the room. They re-enter and act out the emotions written on the flash card. Examples of emotions to be acted • Disappointment • Sadness • Anger • Laughter • Fear • Anxiety • Excitement (The exercise can be lively. Have fun with it) The participants interpret/brainstorm on the emotions expressed. The volunteer flashes the emotion on the card. Facilitator writes the emotions on the flip chart||50 mins |
Coping with Emotions
This implies that whether there is good or bad news one should not loose control over oneself,however one should not suppress the emotions.
Behavior that shows coping with emotions
- Letting rationality take control of the situation as far as possible
- Keeping calm in words and actions
- Accepting reality
- Thinking through the possible out comes of a situation and taking positive alternative lines of action in good time
- Carrying on with essential duties even if there is an upsetting event
- Seeking or accepting suitable advice or assistance
- Recovering quickly from a sad event.
Managing Emotions
- Identify the problematic emotion
- Analise underlying cause of emotion
- Reflect on the effect on self and others
- Weigh capacity to handle emotions
- Seeking guidance/counseling
- Delaying action
- Self distraction
- Walking away
- Expressing emotion through writing,
NB: Fighting/physical confrontation, verbal confrontation is a negative way of managing emotions and should be discouraged.
