How to Improve Emotional Vulnerability
Acknowledging our true emotions and being able to express them to others can be overwhelmingly daunting, especially painful or uncomfortable ones. For as long as we have known, showing signs of emotional vulnerability is associated with being weak and unprotected. The idea of dropping our defenses and exposing how we truly feel to other people is not something we are naturally programmed to do.
This concept known as emotional vulnerability involves our willingness to acknowledge all of our emotions, particularly the negative ones rather than avoid them. By being emotionally vulnerable, we expose a part of ourselves to others even when the outcomes are not guaranteed. For instance, telling someone you love them in the hopes they say it back, cutting out a toxic friend, or reaching out and reconnecting with someone you may have previously fallen out with. By showing emotional vulnerability we are able to take more risks and cultivate deeper connections with ourselves and others.
Evidence has shown those who struggle with being emotionally vulnerable are more prone to mental health issues including anxiety, eating disorders, depression and addictions. Aggression is also often displayed as it is believed to be an expression of masking true emotions. Whether you have grown up in an invalidating family environment, struggle with self-esteem or have been exposed to a trauma or major life stressor, there are many factors that may impede the ability to be emotionally vulnerable.
So how exactly do we improve our emotional vulnerability?
1. Acknowledge your emotions: Simply labelling or writing your emotions down as they occur can be really helpful in allowing us to regulate them. By seeing our emotions in a physical form, we are able to allow ourselves more time to think and reflect on how to approach situations, avoid or resolve conflicts and move forward more easily.
2. Embrace all of your emotions: Unfortunately, if we pretend to be happy all of the time and avoid our negative feelings, we decrease our ability to tolerate distress which can have significant consequences on our mental health. Whilst we may not necessarily approve of our sadness and frustrations, it is important to accept them as they come and not neglect them.
3. Challenge yourself: Asking yourself why you are afraid to be honest with your emotions is important in allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Often people avoid sharing their feelings as they fear rejection however it is important to balance this with the risks of not being open and losing out on new opportunities.
4. Seek professional support: Speaking to a trained professional and practicing vulnerability within a safe and controlled environment can help you to feel more comfortable in acknowledging and expressing your emotions to others.
If you are interested in speaking to a professional with experience in emotional vulnerability, please do not hesitate to reach out. We have several team members who have the knowledge and skills to devise a tailored treatment plan to help aid any deficits in emotional vulnerability based on your individual goals and values. Give us a call on 477 (AU) / 0800 327 477 (NZ) or click here to book online.
Associated information:
Why Do I Feel Emotionally Numb?
How to Spot Signs That You Are Emotionally Overwhelmed
How to Spot Signs That You Are Emotionally Overwhelmed
