Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How do I learn how to control my emotions in public places?

14 Answers
Last Updated: 11/07/2017 at 6:30pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Crystal Schaeffer , Licensed therapist

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

As a therapist I believe that you have the power to reconstruct your thoughts into positive ones while accomplishing realistic goals. I believe that healed people heal people.

Top Rated Answers
erinyes
March 14th, 2016 3:36pm
The first step in learning to get a handle on your emotions is to stop and breathe. Observe yourself and your surroundings. Identify your emotions. What are you feeling? Stress? Anxiety from others? Irritation? Are your emotions bubbling up out of the blue from a previous experience? Now, find a quiet place, if possible, to allow these feelings to deescalate. Sometimes we're in situations where we feel we can't get a handle on our emotions and the more you try and tell yourself to calm down, the more intense the emotions get. It can help to remove yourself temporarily from public places to center yourself.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2015 1:39pm
by avoiding thinking about what makes me feel uncomfortable and thinking about how strong i am and how well i can manage my self.
Emily619
June 22nd, 2015 2:40am
You can control your emotions in public places by thinking about someone, or something you care deeply about, as long as this person, place, or thing is in well condition, so you don't cry about it. Think of something joyful, and smile! Smiling, even if you don't mean it, makes you happier, and the smile becomes a genuine smile :) So smile, be happy, and take care! :)
MusicMajor
September 29th, 2015 10:37am
Sometimes controlling emotions is really hard! I am an overly emotional person, myself, and have had hard times in my past! One of the things I find really helpful is making sure that I breathe properly! I personally love the 4-7-8 rule! It means you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds, and breathe out for 8 seconds! It is what is used when a person is hyperventilating and needs to slow down their breathing! Hope that helped! "\ml/"
FaithfulPerson
March 27th, 2015 6:06pm
Learning to control your emotions includes creating an environment where you know that you can go to express those emotions safely, knowing that you can give yourself a break from the emotions for the time being and that they will still be there when you are able to get to your safe place, and using grounding techniques such as describing in as much detail as possible what you are experiencing around you through your five senses. Deep breathing can help as well.
HawaiianAir
June 16th, 2015 12:08am
Learning to control your emotions in public places can be hard, as we aren't always in control of our emotions. I think the important thing to remember is to breathe, recognize where you are, and that you will be okay.
RainfallBeauty1
November 24th, 2015 3:10pm
It is hard controlling your emotions. All you need to do is take a deep breath and take yourself away from the situation. Until you feel calm again.
Anonymous
December 21st, 2015 7:23pm
Taking deep breaths from the nose and giving it back from the mouth might help. Then start thinking and talking to your self in your brain. Seperate yourself to two parts. 1)the part from you who is having an emotionel moment 2)the part that is calm(you) then start talking to the person who is inside you and having a bad time. Try to understand him/her. And try to calm him/her as if it is someone else
sweetDay98
December 21st, 2015 9:25pm
Hiding emotions can be a difficult task. It takes a lot of effort to divert the mind to other things to stop being emotional in public. Look for a place where you can be alone to clear your thoughts or call a loved one who you can talk to in order to vent your feelings.
AWfulesomejj96
December 29th, 2015 11:46am
There are ways to control one's emotions in public places such as ; 1)Listening to music on headsets 2)Wearing dark sunglasses 3)Logging in to one's smartphone .These are some of the practical coping mechanisms I've tried.
Anonymous
January 11th, 2016 1:57pm
Controlling our emotions is a very difficult task at times, even when we are not in public places or emotionally triggering situations. When you find yourself experiencing intense emotions, no matter where you are, practice expressing them in other ways. For example, instead of crying hysterically when you are upset, speak with the person who made you upset and let them know your feelings. Rather than becoming unreasonably angry, allow yourself to express a healthy amount of anger. Stop, take a deep breath, count to ten, and then proceed with caution about expressing your emotions in public places.
Soldiersinthestorm1
January 25th, 2016 1:08am
If your emotions are leading you to be a danger in any way further help needs to be sought. If they are not you should recognise that they are your emotions. Take a breath and appreciate the way you are feeling. You are not alone, talking with someone else will help tremendously. You don't have to be the same as everyone else, be happy with who you are and be grounded in your own shoes. You have every right to walk in them, no one else does.
PrincessCeleste87
August 2nd, 2016 6:32am
Try to get away from the trigger. But if the trigger has been set off, wait until you get to a secluded place before you let out your emotions. Count to 10 also, and do deep breathing until you calm down.
KenziiShy
November 7th, 2017 6:30pm
I sometimes have this issue to this day. I have a lot of trouble especially with anger and sadness. When in faced with confrontation I feel the tears welling in my eyes. I usually have to embarrassingly apologize that I cry and try to regain composure after that. I've found that with my anger I always stop and ask myself if it will matter 2 years down the road. If it will then I have a right but I need to walk away and decide how to fix the situation. If it won't bother me later in the future (such as a waitress getting my order wrong) then I will calm down and let it pass. I don't always have to be right and as long as the situation is fixed, then that's what matters. Everyone is human and we all make mistakes so I always have to remind myself that as well. When it comes to sadness I still have trouble with this. But I am able to distract myself with another thought and I can typically get back on track. I'll ask myself to do the multiplication tables or remember what I ate yesterday. It gives me time to compose myself and let go some of the emotion value. As long as you have a way to release your stress such as an activity such as writing, talking with friends or a sport then the emotions are easier to dissipate later as the day moves on.