52. Equanimity: Cleaning Up After the Storm with Self-Compassion (part 5)

In this episode, we're in the final part of our five-part series on equanimity. In this series, we've worked through this process of an emotional storm and how we can use equanimity to get us through with less suffering. In this episode, we’re walking out of our house to assess what may be some damage after the storm. This phase of the storm can be hard to face, but it can actually be the easiest phase to tap into equanimity. As we assess with self-compassion, we can tune into our equanimity to fix what may need to be fixed and to also make a future storm less difficult. Listen in for some key strategies to make this process less painful and more effective for taming future storms.

The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.

 

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Key Takeaways:

  • It's not uncommon to ignore the damage after an emotional storm. Sometimes the wreckage feels too much to deal with. However, if we don't assess and clean up, then we're sure to have another one like it in the future.
  • Space to assess the damage and the context is essential- we need to give ourselves that space. We can then move through the storm in our minds, trying to notice where we could have made a shift to deter some of the damage.
  • This process can be really helpful to do with a mental health practitioner and/or others who you trust.
  • One key strategy to handling the larger emotional storms is to practice with the little daily windstorms that come your way. For example, try tackling road rage or situations where you feel mildly overwhelmed (like in a social situation). 

 

Links and Sources Mentioned:

 

On Jan 1st, 2025, the Joy Lab Podcast and Program moved from Natural Mental Health to the nonprofit Pathways North.

 

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