Use Anchors to Manage Your Emotions

It is important to use anchors to manage your emotions to keep them in check, especially . Emotions are the glue that establish strong relational connections and attach us to the things that we value. The energy behind emotions is extremely powerful. Out of control, therefore, they can be dangerous. They can cloud judgment, impair logical thinking and can result in destructive behavior, which is why you should manage your emotions with anchors.

Emotions

Emotions are knee-jerk responses to stimuli. They are beneficial in that they act as a kind of automatic internal alarm system, alerting us to potential danger. Because they are knee-jerk, though, it’s easy for emotions to get away from us. Our perceptions are shaped over time by circumstances, positive or negative. Repeated negative circumstances can create heightened sensitivity and emotional triggers that, when activated, can set off a downward spiral. It takes conscious thought, intention and effort to manage emotions when navigating difficult situations like the ones that 2020 has thrown at us so far. As I was creating and publishing this article, raging emotions are fully on display as a result of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Thousands are protesting all over the world and rightfully so because they are angry. I’M angry. Along with those peacefully marching and protesting for change, however, there are looters and rioters compromising the integrity of the movement by creating chaos and destruction. The perfect example of emotions gone wild.

Anchors

Especially in particularly challenging times, you need anchors to manage your emotions to keep from being swept away by emotional waves. Anchors create the connections that keep you from getting too far away from center. Boats drop anchor to keep them grounded when they aren’t moving. Once fixed, the anchor actually digs in deeper and causes more resistance as the boat moves with the wind or waves. The chain stretches to whatever its built-in length. But that boat doesn’t go anywhere. That’s exactly how an anchor should work for us as individuals. When you’re connected to something powerful and meaningful enough, it should only allow you to go so far before the tension reaches its limit and pulls you back to center.

What Anchors You?

What anchors you is very personal. Family values, beliefs, and associations and family are all examples. Sometimes a family name is enough of an anchor in itself. Carrying the name Windsor, for example, has guided the decisions, values and behavior of the royal family for centuries. Faith is a strong anchor for many. A personal belief system establishes boundaries with clear guidelines of what to do or not do. Usually some kind of governing document or book, like the Bible for Christians, serves as a reference and guide. Internalizing the precepts of a belief system sets them as a personal GPS of sorts and minimizes straying from a specific path that’s been laid out. Commitment to the belief in equality of rights anchors those who right now are engaging in the peaceful protests that have taken place over the past few days. The looters and rioters are either anchored in destruction or nothing at all.

Get Connected

If you can’t identify anything that keeps you from going off the rails on the emotional train, it’s time to set some boundaries. Anchors help you to manage your emotions. Look at your life. Think about what’s important enough that will keep you from losing control when the heat of adversity is turned up so you don’t end up fanning the flames unintentionally. Is it your faith? Your family? Your children? Your good name or reputation? It’s crucial that your emotions push you toward efforts and behavior that are constructive and not the oppositie. Otherwise your life will be a continuous cycle of emotions run wild which will always limit your progress. Even if they change somewhat over time, find your anchors. Use them to guide your energies toward what’s positive and productive. The world will benefit from it and so will you. I found this article which offers some tips for finding your anchors: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-create-the-life-you-want-using-anchors/

Hope it helps!