How do you deal with unstable emotion?

[gmaximin]

If I’m lucky, someone notice it and hold me... but let’s face it, most of the time no one does so I go running or biking in a new neighborhood... exercise + new surrounding + fresh hair... helps to level everything...

[Kelheor]

It really helps, but of course, you gotta stick to it
But really, many things could be solved by moving more, especially outside. Also try to stick to some daily schedule, see how you can improve your diet and maybe vitamins (at least I found out D3 helps me a lot when there's no sun outside for most time of the year).
Depending on your problem some things may or may not help, but generally living a bit more healthy lifestyle than usual helps with a lot of stuff.
I know this may sound boring and all that sometimes you can't help but cry and eat ice cream, but it doesn't help in a long run. Especially when we all have to stay home so much, it turned out to be really stressful sometimes.

[Legendofgenii]

Since I was a baby I've rubbed fabric between my fingers as a comfort thing. I know it's weird.

I still do it now when I'm really stressed and it calms me down. And it has to be a certain type of fabric too.

Am I alone in this?

[Crusoe]

I usually try to do something productive no matter how small because otherwise I'll just feel even shittier later. Usually I'll do something simple like go for a walk or do the dishes.

[darthmongoose]

So as an autistic person, I have to deal with pretty bad anxiety and strong emotions I can struggle to express. Every few months, the stress of just... you know everything... work, world events, dealing with people, putting up with noise and other over-stimulating things in my environment etc. causes a "meltdown" which is pretty much just "I can do nothing but cry" for about 15-30 minutes.
I'd actually recommend crying. When I'm stressed, I go somewhere quiet like a bathroom or my bed and I have a cry. It really does help relieve stress. It's a shame people attach so much shame to it.

Other things I do to manage anxiety:
- Drink chamomile tea
- Going out for a little walk with my partner.
- Doing small, low-pressure household chores like folding socks.
- Watch my favourite series or movies. I often watch Parks & Recreation when I'm really stressed because it's a fairly quiet, low-stakes sort of show.
- Play a low pressure videogame. Something turn-based and non-competitive is best. I like solo Hearthstone content or Slay the Spire, but if I'm REALLY stressed, I play a mobile game called "I Love Hue" where you have to organise coloured squares into gradients, it's extremely chill.
- Looking at pictures of cute animals... Please enjoy my folder of "cute shit" I have collected on Pinterest if you like.
- Painting minis. I love painting minis because it requires a bit of patience, and unlike drawing, it's not my job, so there's no pressure to be good at it. I can then use them for D&D and the like.

[elyss]

First I check Clue, then I drink water, shower, and take a nap if I can. You'd be surprised how often your body just needs a shower. Venting to a friend or SO can be very nice too. You might also just need a cuddle.

[jkb4753]

oh yeah this is a big mood for the week right there

[pilot-obvious]

Usually if I feel emotionally unstable, there's a definitive cause like hunger, lack of sleep, etc. Sometimes, it's work being super annoying in which case I swear in front of my computer and rip my hair out like an animal. After 8 hours of that not working, I'll usually cry it out in the shower and feel better.

[TedGravesArt]

Yeah, I'm really REALLY feeling unstable this week. After over a year of strict quarantine and living completely alone and isolated, it's gotten under my skin. I took a walk in a forest the other day and it helped dramatically. Talking to someone usually helps too, but I'm really bad at reaching out.
Does anybody know any frequent voice/vid chats where artists just chat while they work? It would help tremendously.

[DiegoPalacios]

Learned some tricks to handle pressure.

Excercising: It doesn't need to be anything too intense, but if you find a physical activity you like it can help. It can range from taking a walk to putting a dance video to practice. there may be some online martial arts courses too if you are into that kind of stuff. Excercising helps to release stress and drop the pressure

Contact with nature: something like staying in the yard or going for a walk can help. @TedGravesArt 's example of walking in a forest does wonders, but the safety and viability will depend of where you live.

Meditation: Taking some deep breath, closing your eyes and focussing on keeping your mind blank can help you to relax. Don't worry too much if you start thinking,focus on your breathing and take the moment for yourself. After some minutes slowly open your eyes.

Don't take things personally: Part of the drama of our lives is generated by ourselves. We all succeed or fail in different tasks in life. If you fail, learn from your mistakes, if you succeed, celebrate and learn from what you did well. The way we treat ourselves affect us for better or for worse, so treat yourself like you would treat your favourite person.

Hope this helps and wish you the best with your mood.

[Kaydreamer]

I would when I was teaching full time, because I rarely got enough sleep, and it piled up. I'd be fine until about Week 7 of a school term, then dissolve into a mess who was often verging on tears for three to four weeks, before resetting during the school holidays.

I don't teach full-time anymore.

I dealt with it, unsurprisingly, by trying to get more sleep when I could. I'd also try to eliminate other stressors from my life, and be kind/easy on myself. Walks helped, too.

[impossiblesoul]

Train yourself to step back from what you're in turmoil about until you're in a state to handle it. I know it's way easier said than done, but I try to remember that it's all in my head.

My mental suffering is often the result of me being afraid to accept and face reality rather than reality itself causing me suffering. Anguish only happens when I allow something to break past my mental defenses. I think weaning myself off of sugary foods has helped to a degree as well.

[GumshoeComix]

I usually just have to keep my mind occupied and I'll be ok
Lately though, ehhhh my tablet broke and I've got a case of the writers block so I've been feeling pretty down with nothing to distract me, since I cant seem to enjoy anything else in life.
so I've mostly been just been lurking forums lol

[itsrue]

Um, I want to ask. Can you cry naturally? Like, your tears fell when you had enough. I need to watch sad movies, sad songs, sad etc to cry. I think this is pretty normal? Sometimes I really frustrated by work, college, etc, but I still can't cry. I remembered sad things, but I still can't cry. I'm not exaggerating. I want to cry, but it's hard for me to cry

[itsrue]

Thank you for your advice!

[carloswebcomic]

How do I deal with it?
Badly.
I listen to a lot of 80's gothic post punk and darkwave.
For some reason, it helps.

[darthmongoose]

Um, I want to ask. Can you cry naturally? Like, your tears fell when you had enough. I need to watch sad movies, sad songs, sad etc to cry. I think this is pretty normal? Sometimes I really frustrated by work, college, etc, but I still can't cry. I remembered sad things, but I still can't cry. I'm not exaggerating. I want to cry, but it's hard for me to cry

Oh that sucks! Yeah for me crying isn't hard. I cry like all the time. I cry every time I watch Enter the Spider-verse.

Some people cry more easily than others, it seems. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

[itsrue]

Yes, I live by myself too so I understand to some degree. I just walked back and forth in my room sometimes, since there's no forest/garden nearby. Will search for the voice chats!

[itsrue]

I have my go-to-cry movies. I cry every time I watch Interstellar I think I need to open up more, so I can express my emotions clearly. thank you!

[carloswebcomic]

Yeah for me crying isn't hard. I cry like all the time. I cry every time I watch Enter the Spider-verse.

Pfft! I don't cry!

Except at the end of Guardians of The Galaxy 2.... every single time