Title: Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions | Mental Health America
Headings: Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions
Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions
Denial
Withdrawal
Bullying
Self-harm
Substance use
Pause Acknowledge Think Help
Step 1: Pause.
Step 2: Acknowledge what you’re feeling.
Step 3: Think.
Step 4: Help.
If you are having trouble thinking of ways to help yourself, try one (or a few) from this list:
Mood Boosters
Address Your Basic Needs
Process Feelings
Problem Solving
Volunteering/Acts of Kindness
Hobbies/Stress Relievers
Relaxation Exercises
Ask for Help
If nothing seems to work...

Content: Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions | Mental Health America
Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions
Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions
Negative emotions like fear, sadness, and anger are a basic part of life and sometimes we struggle with how to deal with them effectively. It can be tempting to act on what you’re feeling right away, but that often doesn’t fix the situation that caused the emotions. In fact, it may lead to more problems to deal with down the road. Some of the harmful ways that people deal with negative emotions: Denial
Denial is when a person refuses to accept that anything is wrong or that help may be needed. When people deny that they are having problematic feelings, those feelings can bottle-up to a point that a person ends up “exploding” or acting out in a harmful way. Withdrawal
Withdrawal is when a person doesn’t want to be around, or participate in activities with other people.