48. Equanimity: A Tool for Emotional Reactivity and the Power of Grounding (Part 1)
In this episode and the next four after this, we'll look at how to use equanimity when emotional storms hit. What's equanimity? We see it as a flexible state of steadiness, particularly amidst stress. And even though equanimity is our natural state, it’s the opposite that most of us are familiar with. That opposite goes by a lot of different names: fear, anxiety, irritability, moodiness, upset, agitation, being stressed out. In mental health lingo, it’s often called emotional reactivity. To get us started with our series, we'll learn more about emotional reactivity in this episode and talk about how to tap into equanimity through grounding practices.
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:
- Equanimity can be described as steadiness, particularly amidst stress or struggles. It may feel absent for you now, but it is your natural state.
- Equanimity looks different for all of us.
- One key strategy to maintain equanimity amidst stress is to get grounded. You can do this by heading outside and doing something in nature that feels calming and anchoring. You can also do this with others who you feel safe with and who invite a sense of connection for you (people, pets, other animals).
- If it's too cold to go outside, a sunny window can be just the thing. Add a houseplant, and a pet perhaps, and you've created an indoor, grounding oasis!
Links and Sources Mentioned:
- Joy Lab Program (step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life)
- Joy Lab Podcast #12 (Five Pathways to Inner Calm) This episode is a broad overview of what we'll be talking about over the next 5 episodes. It's a really helpful summary!
- Joy Lab Podcast #34 (Meditation with Music: Heart-Opening Meditation). This is a good body awareness practice
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
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Natural outdoor environment, neighbourhood social cohesion and mental health: Using multilevel structural equation modelling, streetscape and remote-sensing metrics (2020; green/blue spaces and mental health analyses)
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Understanding Emotions: Origins and Roles of the Amygdala (2021)
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Part 1—You can run but you can't hide: Intrusive thoughts on six continents (2014)
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Anger in psychological disorders: Prevalence, presentation, etiology and prognostic implications (2016)
- Warm Lines Directory
On Jan 1st, 2025, the Joy Lab Podcast and Program moved from Natural Mental Health to the nonprofit Pathways North.
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