4 Ways To Relieve Painful Emotions

4 Ways To Relieve Painful Emotions

Last update: 16 February, 2016

Pain is something that we cannot avoid. Although emotions are both negative and positive, the former can bring us emotional pain that sometimes overwhelms us.

That unpleasant emotional pain is oftentimes worse even than physical pain. This is why some people try to relieve it by punching things, screaming into a pillow, and in the most extreme cases, turning to self-harm.

We can never judge the lives of others , because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation

Paulo Coelho

Choosing to remain optimistic and positive can help you manage and overcome emotional pain. Today we share four strategies for facing emotional pain.

Woman Crying on Mountain

1. Face the situation

Very often, we react by unconsciously denying the situation. This is a totally normal response, as we inevitably try to get around and avoid the pain that we are experiencing.

However, if you do not want that emotional pain to turn into a deep wound, you have to recognize what has happened, why it has come to that, and how it can be resolved (supposing there is some kind of solution).

Once you are aware of the situation, take your time to look at things from different angles so that you can accept them. This will help you see reality.

“The art of overcoming the great difficulties is studied and acquires the habit of addressing the small”

-Cristina Trivulzio di Belgioioso-

Additionally, you must never try to distract yourself from this emotional pain. Sooner or later, it will come back. Think about it as a wound that, if it does not heal right, will end up getting infected or bleeding again.

2. Blow off steam

Even if you do not want to accept it, it will be very necessary for you to blow off steam so that you can free yourself from all of that pain that is tormenting you, haunting you, and that never stops making you suffer.

For this, you can put into practice the following techniques that will help you blow off steam:

  • Talk to someone who will really listen to you.
  • Make doodles on a piece of paper, even if they do not make any sense whatsoever.
  • Scream into a pillow.
  • Go out and exercise. This will help you rest and clear your mind so that you can better face that pain later.
  • Dive into some good music.
  • Break something. It can be as simple as tearing up a piece of paper; even crumpling it up can help you.

All of these techniques can help you to blow off steam. Do you want to share your technique with us? Surely there are many more ways, and more effective ones. Which works for you?

Woman Jogging

3. Find the positive

We can always draw something positive from the negative. For example, if a friend has betrayed us, this will help you better choose your friends in the future.

Everything that causes you emotional pain can help you mature, as well. Learning from a failed, painful relationship, learning from a letdown, all of these lessons will make us more cautious, mature, and they will help us discover what we really want in life and what we can get rid of.

“Defeat has something positive: it is never definitive”

-José Saramago-

Negative experiences exist so that we can learn from them and turn into what we really want to be. Thanks to them, we can move forward in our lives in a positive way each time that we learn something from the negative moments.

4. Do not let your pain define you

It is just one step. We all go through it and there will be many more steps. We are emotional beings who will have to go through many more painful situations, but are you going to give up?

You are strong and you have the strength to face that pain, learning from it, feeding from all of the positive things that it can bring you.

Think about your pain as a source of motivation, of strength, that you must feel, assimilate, so that it may make you stronger and so that you can mature.

Never let the pain finish you off, never ever let it overwhelm you. You are much greater than this difficult moment that sooner or later will pass.

“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”

-Buddha Gautama-

Always look for someone who is willing to listen to you, someone whom you trust. Things are easier to get through when they are shared and seen more clearly.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.