Emotional Lately? Understanding and Managing Your Feelings

Have you found yourself asking, “Why am I so emotional lately?” If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience periods of heightened emotions, often without understanding the root cause. Whether you’re feeling weepy, annoyed, or stressed, these feelings can be difficult to manage. See some common reasons why you might be feeling more emotional than usual and offer tips on how to manage these feelings.

1. Hormonal Changes

Hormones play a significant role in our emotional well-being, particularly for females, which is why you have been so emotional lately. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can cause mood swings, tears, and irritability. These changes commonly occur during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. If you’re having these symptoms, it could be because of hormonal changes.

2. Stress and Anxiety

One of the reasons you feel weepy is stress and anxiety. A lot of stress and worry can also make you more sensitive to other people’s feelings. Cortisol is the worry hormone that our bodies make when we are under a lot of stress. Cortisol contact that lasts for a long time can make you feel emotionally worn out and more vulnerable. If you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, it might affect how you feel.

3. Lack of Sleep

Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating your emotions and can make you emotional all the time. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce fewer neurotransmitters that help regulate mood, such as serotonin and dopamine. This can result in more irritation, moodiness, and emotional instability. It’s possible that not getting enough sleep is hurting your mental health.

4. Grief and Loss

Experiencing a significant loss or going through a period of grief can make you more emotionally vulnerable. It is normal to feel a range of feelings during these times, such as sadness, anger, and confusion. If you’ve recently experienced a loss or are struggling with unresolved grief, it could be contributing to your emotional state.

5. Relationship Issues

Relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being. Conflict, tension, or feelings of isolation in relationships can make you emotional lately. If your relationship is giving you trouble, it might be hurting your mental health.

6. Mental Health Conditions

People with some mental illnesses, like sadness and anxiety disorders, may feel more sensitive to other people’s feelings. These conditions can affect how you perceive and process emotions, leading to intense or prolonged emotional responses. If you feel you have a mental health problem, you should get professional help to ensure an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

7. Lifestyle Factors

Factors such as diet, exercise, and substance use can also influence your emotional well-being and make you feel weepy. A poor diet, lack of exercise, or excessive alcohol or drug consumption can disrupt your body’s natural balance, leading to mood swings and emotional instability. Making healthy lifestyle choices can benefit your emotional health.

8. Financial Stress

Dealing with financial difficulties can be incredibly stressful, leading to heightened emotional responses. If you’re constantly worried about money, it can impact your emotional well-being and make you more sensitive to everyday stressors.

9. Traumatic Events

Past traumatic experiences might have a long-term impact on your emotional health. If you’ve experienced trauma and haven’t had the opportunity to process it properly, it may manifest as heightened emotional sensitivity in your current life.

10. Life Transitions

Starting a new job, moving to a new place, or getting over a breakup are all big life changes that can be hard on the emotions. Adjusting to these new circumstances can lead to heightened emotions as you navigate the changes.

11. Work Stress

A stressful work environment can take a toll on your emotional state. Feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or unsupported at work can make you emotional lately.

12. Sleep Disorders

Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating your emotions. Sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to mood swings and increased emotional sensitivity.

13. Lack of Emotional Expression

If you’re not accustomed to expressing your emotions openly, they can accumulate over time. This buildup can result in heightened emotional responses to situations that might not have affected you as strongly otherwise.

14. Life Transitions

Whether it’s a new job, a move, or a breakup, significant life changes can stir up a range of emotions. You might feel more sensitive to other people’s feelings as you get used to these changes.

15. Medication Side Effects

Certain medicines can alter your mood and feelings. Whether you’ve recently begun a new medicine and observed changes in how you feel, go to your doctor to see whether it’s affecting your emotional state.

Emotional Lately? Learn How to Manage Your Emotions

It’s important to take steps to handle your emotions well. Here are some tips to help you navigate this challenging time:

• Identify Triggers: Pay attention to what triggers your emotional responses. Keeping a journal can help you track patterns and identify triggers.
• Practice Self-Care: Do things that help you calm down and relax, like yoga, meditation, or spending time outside.
• Seek Support: Tell a friend, family member, or mental health worker you trust how you’re feeling. Sharing your feelings can help you feel better.
• Prioritize Sleep: Get at least 7 to 9 hours of good sleep every night to help you handle your feelings and moods.
• Limit Stress: Find healthy strategies to cope with stress, such as deep breathing techniques, mindfulness, or indulging in hobbies you enjoy.
• Consider Professional Help: If your emotions are substantially impacting your everyday life, consider seeing a mental health expert.

When to Get Professional Help

Sometimes, feeling very emotional could be a sign of a more serious problem like depression or anxiety. It might lead to dangerous situations like using drugs, hurting yourself, having unusual thoughts, or thinking about suicide. If you’re going through a difficult period, you should get help right away.

Talking to a therapist who understands how to deal with difficult emotions can make a huge impact. You can find a therapist online to speak with.

Effectively Process Your Emotions

Emotions are a basic aspect of the human experience. However, if you’ve been feeling emotional lately, you should investigate the underlying causes and make efforts to control your emotions successfully. Understanding the elements that influence your emotional state and implementing good coping skills will help you navigate this difficult time with greater ease and resilience.