Finding Flexibility when Facing of Floods of Feelings

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As humans, we can struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings like they are the literal, actual truth. Sometimes we tell ourselves flexible, or rigid stories about ourselves, others, and the world.

Researchers looked at cognitive fusion (that is, viewing our thoughts as literally true) in young college-age students and found that lower levels of cognitive fusion (e.g., higher psychological flexibility) were associated with higher emotional well-being, social functioning, and energy levels whereas higher cognitive fusion (e.g., lower psychological flexibility) was associated with limitations in emotional and physical functioning (Bodenlos et al., 2020).

Emotions are useful depending on the situation - “positive” and “negative” emotions can serve different purposes depending on the context. This is why it is not useful to label emotions as either good or bad, because they could be useful depending on the situation (Bodenlos et al., 2020)

No matter what it is called, the ability to be flexibility given life’s changing circumstances, and to be able to be present and aware of your own emotions and inner private events, and then move forward and make decisions in service of your values is an incredibly useful skill to be able to “handle” life’s ever-changing curve-balls.

By being more open, curious and accepting of emotions and thoughts, and with the willingness to approach and confront and work through difficult experiences, this allows us to pursue more rich experiences in life and continue to live life and move forward in the face of difficult situations (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010). More acceptance and curiosity and openness and compassion towards our private events, and less attempting to control or push them away.

When we are able to shift our perspective to think about our future-oriented behaviour, we gain more flexibility and satisfaction out of our life (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010).

A recent study demonstrated that greater well-being (e.g., including life satisfaction, frequent positive emotions, infrequent negative emotions, competence, autonomy) was experienced when participants set aside time for important life domains to address the difference between ideal performance and actual performance (Sheldon et al., 2010). It makes sense that people demonstrate greater well-being and life balance when they mindfully spend time paying attention to domains they find important, whether it is work, school, leisure and recreation, or relationships, and actually thinking about what their ideal life would look like in those domains.

This is what we do here at Engie Martin Health & Wellness - we spend the time with you regularly to discuss your values and goals in various important domains of your life. We want you to live a life you are excited about and confident about, knowing you have the tools and skills to navigate whatever life may bring you.

If this post resonated with you, please share it with those for whom you think this could make a difference as well.

References:

Bodenlos, J. S., Hawes, E. S., Burstein, S. M., & Arroyo, K. M. (2020). Association of cognitive fusion with domains of health. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 9-15. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.08.001

Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical psychology review, 30(7), 865–878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001

Sheldon, K. M., Cummins, R., & Kamble, S. (2010). Life balance and well‐being: Testing a novel conceptual and measurement approach. Journal of Personality, 78(4), 1093-1134.