When life throws the worst at us, it can be easy to feel like we are drowning in our most painful emotions. For some, this might mean screaming anger that escalates to the point of being out of control. For others, it might mean epic crying jags that cause us to lose sleep. Sometimes, the emotions can be so distressing that we would do almost anything to stop them – slam doors, punch walls, make desperate phone calls that we will regret later, engage in self-injurious or other self-destructive behaviors. In moments like these, taking a break from our emotional pain can be extremely helpful. It does not serve our long-term well-being to continue to circle around a problem over and over again. It does not help ourselves or our relationships if we are yelling or otherwise acting out of desperation. Mindfulness of emotion is a great aspiration, but it takes tremendous skill to do so in a tidal wave of feeling. It is better to practice mindfulness in easy moments first, and later in the face of small challenges, before expecting it to help in the midst of crisis.
