Feelings are a normal part of life. We all feel happy, sad, angry, worried, scared, excited, and many other things. Sometimes feelings are small. Other times, they can feel very big.
Learning about your feelings can help you understand yourself. It can also help you know what to do when a feeling is hard to handle.
Why Do We Have Feelings?
Feelings are like little messages from your mind and body. They can tell you when something feels good, scary, unfair, exciting, or upsetting.
For example, you may feel happy when you play with a friend. You may feel worried before a test. You may feel angry when someone is mean to you.
Every feeling has a reason. It is okay to feel whatever you feel.
Learn to Name Your Feelings
One of the first steps is learning the name of your feeling.
Ask yourself, “How am I feeling right now?”
Maybe you feel happy, excited, calm, sad, angry, worried, scared, or shy. You may even feel more than one feeling at the same time.
When you can name a feeling, it can be easier to understand it.
What Can You Do With Big Feelings?
Big feelings can be hard. However, there are simple things you can do to help yourself feel calm.
Take three slow breaths. Count to ten. Listen to music. Draw a picture. Hug a stuffed animal or someone you love. You can also take a quiet break.
Then ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
Sometimes you may need rest. Other times, you may need help, comfort, space, or someone to listen.
Talk About How You Feel
You do not have to keep your feelings inside.
Talk with a parent, teacher, counselor, grandparent, or another adult you trust. You can tell them what happened and how it made you feel.
If talking feels hard, you can draw or write about your feelings instead.
Sharing your feelings can help other people understand what you need.
There Are No Bad Feelings
Sometimes people think they should not feel angry, scared, or sad. But feelings are not bad.
What matters is what you do with them.
It is okay to feel angry. It is not okay to hurt someone because you are angry. Instead, you can take a break, talk about it, or use a healthy way to calm down.
You can learn how to handle even the biggest feelings.
You Are Not Alone
Everyone has feelings. Everyone has hard days too.
You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to take a break. & You are allowed to talk about what is happening inside.
Your feelings are important because you are important.
Feel it. Name it. Talk about it. You’ve got this!
