Emotions and feelings

It may have struck you that when something happens around you, it is immediately reflected within you as an emotional expression of the body.

When something suddenly startles us, we immediately feel feelings of fear and anxiety in our body, and we feel our muscles tighten to prepare for a corresponding reaction. Or you witness something very sad that clouds your thoughts for the next few hours and you feel a heaviness in your chest and a cramped stomach.

This is because man is a complex organism, constantly interacting with the world around him. Emotions are the body's natural expression of how a particular situation or event affects us. Through them, we understand whether what we encounter brings us security or threatens us. Based on our emotions, we build our thoughts in different directions, creating our understandings of the world, which also determine our actions. In turn, our actions also reflect how we feel and what thoughts arise within us.

The basic emotions are: joy, fear, anger, sadness, disgust, love, surprise and contempt.

There is no right way to feel about a situation because each person is unique and the way they react to it is strictly individual.

All feelings are important, whether positive or negative.

If we learn to recognize our body's reactions according to the emotions we feel, we will have the opportunity to learn not to act rashly, to understand ourselves and others better, and to find explanations why people or ourselves behave in a particular way.

You can't choose your emotions, but you can learn how to express them in a way that is helpful to you and acceptable to others.

In case something somehow triggers strong emotions in you and you find it difficult to understand, express or control your feelings, seek anonymous advice from a professional.

Contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialling 116 111. We will listen and support you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Have you ever noticed that some young children pluck their hair, scratch themselves with nails or bang their head against the wall in response to making a mistake or not dealing with a situation? Maybe you've noticed that your classmate has wounds showing under his long sleeves. It is possible that you yourself have a tendency to self-harm...

Self-harm is a form of aggression directed at oneself. While in childhood it does not seem so dangerous, in the teenage years it is observed in more serious forms - cuts on the body, burning the skin, etc.

You must be asking yourself why someone would do this to themselves, and quite consciously and willingly. To others this behaviour is completely incomprehensible and perhaps frightening. Immediately, assumptions arise that the person who is self-harming is suffering from a mental illness, is seeking attention, or is trying to manipulate others by doing so.

In fact, self-aggression is an unhealthy way of expressing, controlling and temporarily relieving painful feelings, thoughts and memories. It is accompanied by momentary experiences of calm and tension relief and is followed by feelings of guilt and shame. It is usually carried out in private, in secret from others and escalates over time, and can reach a fatal level. This is because after each time, the self-injurer feels the need to experience one degree more pain to relieve his or her emotional suffering.

So if you see evidence that your friend or classmate is self-harm or you yourself are in the position of self-harm - seek help, don't hesitate! You can talk to your school psychologist, GP, social worker or an adult you trust.

You can also contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialling 116 111. Don't delay! We will listen and support you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Sometimes things happen in our lives that make us feel desperate and helpless. Situations that seem unsolvable. Events that make us lose hope and sometimes - the will to live. In these moments, the idea of suicidemay creep into our thoughts and even take possession of them. However, these thoughts show that our lives need to change, not end.

The first and most important thing to realize is that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Postponing it in time can help. For example, tell yourself that you will wait until tonight, and in the evening postpone your decision until the next morning. If it's too hard for you, put it off hour by hour.

In the meantime, don't focus on the problem. Force yourself not to think about it, at least temporarily - take a warm shower, put on a funny show, make some tea, eat some fruit, go for a run or engage in some other exercise. Engage your attention in something that is relaxing, refreshing and enjoyable for you.

Do not resort to the use of alcohol or other substances . This will not only not solve your problem, it will even deepen your suffering.

If you already have a plan on exactly how to end your life, then don't proceed to procure the necessary means . If you already have them, remove them from your home or at least move them away from you to a place that requires extra effort to get them.

Yes, life isn't always easy, but keep telling yourself that things usually get worse before they get better and every difficulty is surmountable.

Think about how an attempt on your life would affect those who love and care for you - your friends, parents, grandparents and even your pet.

Also think about the things that are significant in your life and those that make you feel good - make a list or draw them!

Try to think of something you can do to benefit others and do it. Think about the things you would like to do in the future - visit an exotic country, take up tennis or become an architect.

And most importantly! If you feel in a dead end and the only way out you see is death, IMMEDIATELY SEEK HELP! Trust someone - a friend, a teacher, a parent, a psychologist. Be completely honest! IF YOUR CONDITION IS CRITICAL, DON'T DELAY - CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALING 112.

Don't hesitate to contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialling 116 111 at any time of the day or night. We will listen to you and together we will find a solution to your problem. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! YOU NEED HELP. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 116 111