We all have good and bad days. It is no different for Coldplay‘s Chris Martin, who recently opened up about a “good mental health” practice to deal with not-so-good emotions. “This is a good mental health thing for real. If you take a piece of paper and a pen for 12 minutes every day and you write down everything that’s bothering you, and after 12 minutes, when you rip it up or throw it away or you burn it, it’s a very good way of working out what’s going on for you,” shared Martin, in an appearance on the latest episode of Loose Women Talkathon on ITVX.
According to Martin, it helps release the things you’d like to say but can’t, and it also serves as a cleansing ritual. “I do it every morning. It’s a miracle. Rather than texting someone angrily or, you know, being aggressive at work, it sort of gets out and then if there is something left even after those 12 minutes, you can gather yourself and say it calmly,” said Martin.
Journalling does help (Source: Pixabay)
Dealing with anger while going through a tough day can be challenging. Navigating anger can be overwhelming as each day feels like a new set of challenges that are difficult to accomplish. “This emotional uncertainty affects not only mental health but also physical well-being, for example, long sleepless nights, overthinking, restlessness, and racing heartbeat,” said Dr. Santosh Bangar, senior consultant psychiatrist, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel.
Writing down your thoughts helps to try and acknowledge the range of emotions you are feeling at that particular time. “Shifting your attention or being distracted can be effective in managing anger or such extreme, negative emotion. If anger bouts keep affecting your daily lifestyle, relationships, productivity, and work life, then it is necessary to consult an expert. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle modifications and counselling to manage it,” said Dr Bangar.
Journalling helps reduce stress and anxiety levels, which automatically helps get over the anger felt. “Journalling helps process thoughts and emotions. While it is not necessary to rip apart or burn the paper, some may find it extremely calming practice. So, it is essential to personalise these routines based on individual health conditions and preferences,” said Dr Haricharan G, senior consultant physician, HoD, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospitals, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad.
However, clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber shared that, in general, it may help, but it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. “For some people, writing would mean thinking about something and then focusing on it, which makes it run more in the mind instead of letting it go. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. It may work for some and not for others,” said Chhibber.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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