FLEXIBILITY EMOTIONAL AS PROMOTER OF MENTAL HEALTH

A particular type of flexibility that is of great interest to the emotional balance is the emotional flexibility. In a nutshell, this flexibility has its basis in the ability of people to use different emotion regulation strategies as circumstances change. Emotional flexibility should not be seen as a change of opinion, value or meaning of things, but as more likely to behavioral response in the situation that faces, aiming to be assertive and avoid emotional distress.

With proper training, you can get to the point to use different strategies of emotional regulation in the light of the context of the requirements. This well-developed process becomes an advantage for life. For example, a cognitive reappraisal may be useful in some situations: ". The person who arranged a meeting did not appear, probably had to get to work late, and not because they do not like me" But in other situations it may be more assertive adapt to the circumstances, accepting, for example: "I accept that my coworker large part of the tasks delegated me because he is no longer in business than I do." Likewise, a rejection strategy, such as avoidance, can sometimes be useful, for example, declining an invitation to lunch an unpleasant coworker. But not at other times, for example, procrastinating when we are responsible to complete an urgent project.

Importantly, there is increasing evidence suggesting that the flexibility with which we implement emotion regulation strategies may be the key to our mental health. People often use the acceptance and revaluation in different situations in their lives are less emotional problems and psychological disorders compared to people who are not flexible in the way they manage their emotions. In short, the emotional flexibility is a mental health promoter.

So how do you in your day to day realizes that uses different strategies of emotional regulation in different situations? Try to check where different situations you also behaves differently. For example, situations in which you apply:

accept
reassess
Entertain up
Worry about the future
Ruminate about the past
Get stuck in obsessive thoughts
Criticizing yourself
Criticizing others
Act aggressively
act assertively
None of these examples alone should be considered right or wrong. The circumstances, the present moment and the decision of the person make the use of these strategies are adaptive or harmful.