7 Positive Strategies to Help You Regulate and Manage Negative Emotions

On May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, Heal Your Soul Column, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health2 Comments

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl

Managing negative emotions in healthy ways is crucial for overall well-being. When I didn’t know how to manage my own emotions, I would get triggered so fast and then react on that trigger even faster, which often led to me regretting what came out of my mouth.

I came to a point in my life when I was always so exhausted with everything. Which led to the realization that I can’t change anyone, other than myself….and so I need to let everyone be, for the sake of my own peace of mind and sanity.

Basically, mastering my own emotions helped my mind, heart and soul to calm down.

What are negative emotions actually?

Negative emotions are unpleasant or distressing feelings that arise in response to challenging, painful, or threatening situations. They are a natural part of the human emotional spectrum and serve important psychological and survival functions, such as helping us recognize danger, process loss, or respond to injustice.

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Healing is Not About Erasing Your Past

On April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, spiritual healing6 Comments

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”~ Brene Brown

Our minds and bodies have an incredible ability to protect us. When we experience trauma or prolonged stress, we develop coping mechanisms to survive. These mechanisms unconsciously become our identity.

In the past, I have used emotional eating as a coping mechanism. I have used immersing myself in work till my bones hurt as a coping mechanism. I have used avoidance and isolation as a coping mechanism. But all because I was too afraid at the time to face the feelings and emotions that were coming up. I did it because I needed to survive through so much trauma without any guidance or knowing how.

I know you know what I am talking about. We all have our very own coping mechanisms.

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If You’re Always Procrastinating, Read This

On April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health2 Comments

How often do you hear yourself say -> “I’ll do it later.” And well, later never really comes.

I used to be a procrastinator, till the stress of the things piling up was hurting me more than actually doing the task. Since then, I try not to put things off for “later”(at least 95% of the time). That’s progress ❤

Procrastination is…

…the act of delaying or postponing tasks, often unnecessarily or irrationally, even when you know there might be negative consequences. It’s basically putting things off—like avoiding that project, homework, chore, or decision—despite knowing it needs to get done.

It’s not just laziness. Procrastination often involves emotional regulation. People might procrastinate because the task feels overwhelming, boring, or stressful. So instead of doing the thing, they choose to do something more pleasant or easier in the short term (like scrolling on your phone, cleaning your room, or binge-watching something).