52. Equanimity: Cleaning Up After the Storm with Self-Compassion (part 5)

In this episode, we're in the final part of our five-part series on equanimity. In this series, we've worked through this process of an emotional storm and how we can use equanimity to get us through with less suffering. In this episode, we're walking out of our house to assess what may be some damage after the storm. This phase of the storm can be hard to face, but it can actually be the easiest phase to tap into equanimity. As we assess with self-compassion, we can tune into our equanimity to fix what may need to be fixed and to also make a future storm less difficult. Listen in for some key strategies to make this process less painful and more effective for taming future storms.  About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App. Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible). Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app: Spotify | Apple | YouTube Key Takeaways: It's not uncommon to ignore the damage after an emotional storm. Sometimes the wreckage feels too much to deal with. However, if we don't assess and clean up, then we're sure to have another one like it in the future. Space to assess the damage and the context is essential- we need to give ourselves that space. We can then move through the storm in our minds, trying to notice where we could have made a shift to deter some of the damage. This process can be really helpful to do with a mental health practitioner and/or others who you trust. One key strategy to handling the larger emotional storms is to practice with the little daily windstorms that come your way. For example, try tackling road rage or situations where you feel mildly overwhelmed (like in a social situation).  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected]. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org