You know stress (who doesn’t!)? Well, it turns out that big emotions can disguise a host of more nuanced feels, stuff like stress is just the tip of an emotional iceberg. There’s often a lot more going on down below. For example, perhaps it wasn’t that deadline frazzling you. It was the fact that your boss always subtly undermines you. Addressing these buried feelings can lead to “better psychological health, career success, and meaning in life”, says US-based psychologist Susan David. Ready to dig deep? Welcome to Cosmo’s crash course on tapping into your feels.
1 EXPAND YOUR VOCAB
“If you don’t know what emotion you’re dealing with, you can’t constructively express it,” says Tony Ferretti, a US-based licensed psychologist. To that end, write down five positive feelings (like excitement, joy, passion, satisfaction, and hope) and five negative ones (anxiety, fear, guilt, anger, and frustration) on palm cards. Jot the actual definitions on the back, and feel zero shame if you have to consult a dictionary. Each day, choose one card and try to notice when you or someone else is experiencing that sensation. Chances are, it will crop up. ‘‘We all experience 10 to 15 emotions per day,” says Tony. Be aware of how various feelings affect your own body. Are you sweating? Do you feel optimistic? Keep it up until you can ID your emotions as soon as they start to surface.
2 LOOK CLOSER
This story is from the August 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How To Make The Most Of The Meta-Universe...And Thrive Unscathed In It
Natasha Jog-Head, Public Policy, Instagram, Facebook India (Meta)-lists the company's safety measures, and tells us how to make our favourite apps work in our favour.
What's Dating Like In 2024?
Here's some swipe right moments that caught Cosmo intern Serchen Chokyi off guard.
Is Making Yourself Sad The Ultimate Happiness Hack?
Dopamine fasts are being touted as the cure to bad habits and low mood...But does the science really stack up? Morgan Fargo puts it to the test.
Do Women Make Better Leaders Than Men?
Psychologists, women entrepreneurs, their male counterparts, and a human resources expert weigh in.
Living the dream
From planning their start-up and building the right team to successfully marketing their brand, these entrepreneurs will teach you a thing or two about taking care of a business.
The new masculine
Gender is a construct; but one that invariably factors into attraction. In a 2024 world where the scope of gender is more multifarious than ever, what does it mean to be 'masculine'?
I was sober, now I'm not.I feel...weird about it?
After more than a year of being teetotal, Jennifer Savin found herself with a glass of red. Her emotions have been *complex*
VEDANG RAINA WIRED TO WIN
Actor Vedang Raina opens up to Cosmo India Editor Pratishtha Dobhal about his love for music and cinema, his passion for the arts, and why he chooses to live in the moment.
Pixels to pearls
Is 3D printing the next big thing in the jewellery landscape?
One jacket, four ways
Cosmo India challenged top-tier celebrity stylists to turn muse for us as they showcased their unmatched personal style with one common designer ensemble. Class in session, people!