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What is Emotional Labor: Types, Example and Consequences

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Have you ever felt exhausted after spending time with unknown people or people with whom you can be your honest self? Where do you think that exhaustion comes from? It usually happens when you return from a social gathering you didn’t want to attend.

This exhaustion comes from emotional labor. Knowing or unknowingly we are constantly managing our emotions when we are put in an uncomfortable zone. This is because we can’t express our true emotions at the moments when we need to make an effort to cover them up with expected behavior.

We can see this very clearly in workplaces like call centers, salespeople, insurance offices, etc. These people are constantly trying to convince their clients to buy whatever they are selling. They are often expected to be as nice as possible with their clients.

Now what happens here is they are constantly suppressing their true feelings. They have to put an effort into managing their emotions in such a way that their true emotions do not surface. And that effort and management require energy and labor, called emotional labor.

 

What Is Emotional Labor?

Emotional labor can be described as the effort one puts into managing your emotions, feelings, and expressions. Emotional labor is most active when we interact with other people, work for people,  convince clients, etc.

Emotional labor happens when you suppress difficult and negative emotions like frustration, irritation, hurt, the forced need to be pleasant, etc. Most people who experience emotional labor are experts in managing their emotions and expressions in a way that no one’s feelings are hurt.

Now, in order to protect others’ feelings, we don’t realize the pain we inflict upon us. Understandably, you can’t always express your true emotions but suppressing them all the time is also not right. Emotional labor can be dangerous for our mental and emotional well-being.

Also read: If You Internalize Your Emotions, Then You Should Try 8 Strategies to Stop

Types Of Emotional Labor

Emotional labor doesn’t really have different types because it is impossible to divide your emotional effort into types. However, the expression of emotions that cause emotional labor can be divided into two parts.

Let’s have a look at them;

  • Surface Acting: it is when you display your emotions publicly however your inner emotions and your outer expression do not match. In fact, such people do not even try to feel the emotions that they are expressing.
  • Deep Acting: when it comes to deep acting your emotional labor becomes even more intense. In deep acting one purposely tries to feel the emotions they are expected to display. For example, if you are expected to deal with your clients with a happy face, you forcefully try to be happy.

Emotional Labor Examples

Emotional labor is not a rare occurrence, many people from various walks of life can experience emotional labor. We aren’t always in a chirpy mood, however being cranky in public is always looked down upon. Therefore, we tend to maintain a pleasant exterior so that we don’t offend other people.

Let’s understand emotional labor with the help of some examples;

1. Workplaces:

emotional labor was first studied in the context of workplaces. It is believed that we need to behave or act in a certain way because you’re in a professional environment. Most emotional labor is experienced in workplaces because you can’t freely express your true emotions as there is a lot at stake. Therefore, you tend to suppress your frustration/irritation and act as if you are completely satisfied.

2. Healthcare workers:

a hospital is one place where you can witness a wide range of emotions. However, healthcare workers need to be as pleasant, kind and empathetic as possible because that’s what people expect from you. You can ask a panicky person to shut up or deliver bad news like it’s an everyday tale.

3. Political setting:

we have all heard about how diplomatic politicians are but have you ever wondered how much emotional labor they have to bear? They have to be conscious of what they say almost all the time therefore, they need to be very calculative about how they express themselves.

4. Family setting:

this is the trickiest one, your family is your top priority therefore you can’t afford to hurt their feelings. In order to protect them from emotional damage you tend to suppress your emotional needs so that you can cater to their needs. You are expected to take care of everything and everyone in the family but your emotional needs remain unmet.

Consequences Of Emotional Labor

Emotional labor can have a huge impact on your mental and emotional health. With time the intensity of emotional labor increases and it becomes very difficult to control yourself. A sudden outburst can cause even more damage.

Research says that experiencing emotional labor has positive as well as negative consequences. Let’s have a look at the negative consequences of emotional labor;

  • Faking your emotions for a long time can cause emotional dissonance
  • A prolonged period of displaying false emotions can invite identity-related issues and develop a constant state of distress
  • Emotional exhaustion is another result of experiencing emotional labor for a long time
  • People who indulge in surface acting have a tendency to develop feelings of depersonalization
  • Emotional labor tends to experience a reduced sense of personal accomplishment

Here are some positive consequences of emotional labor;

  • When you reserve your emotions only to make someone happy, it can give you a sense of accomplishment
  • Deep acting can help you convert your negative emotions into positive ones
  • Emotional labor can help you navigate your negative emotions and not give in to them

 

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When Emotions Are Muted: What to Know About Blunted Affect

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When we talk about mental health, emotions cannot be left behind. After all, without understanding the role of emotions, you can’t truly understand how mental health works. Emotions are what help us express joy, sorrow, anger, sadness, and a myriad of other feelings. Yet, there are instances when our emotional expression becomes muted.

Yes, even emotions can go mute – if only temporarily. When your emotions are muted or dampened significantly, then this experience can be termed, “Blunted Affect”.

If you barely crack a smile when you hear something good or if you barely feel sad when you hear bad news, then this muted emotional expression could be caused by blunted affect. In this article, we’re exploring the signs and causes of blunted affect and how you can treat dampened emotions.

Blunted Affect: What is It?

Blunted affect, also referred to as emotional blunting, is when you experience a reduction or restriction in outward emotional expression. If you do experience blunted emotions, then you may appear indifferent or unresponsive to situations that usually elicit some emotional response. Blunted affect isn’t the absence of emotions but rather a muted display of them.

Here are some examples of blunted affect to help you understand this muted emotional response better;

  • The response upon receiving news of a loved one’s death is neutral, and the expression lacks the expected grief response.
  • A job promotion is met with a monotone and unenthusiastic response rather than the excitable one as is expected typically.
  • While celebrating success with a group, the expression remains detached and unaffected.

Flat Affect vs. Blunted Affect

Because of its muted emotional expression, blunted affect is commonly confused with flat affect. However, there are differences between flat affect and blunted affect.

Flat affect is the complete absence of emotional expression. If you experience flat affect, then there is often no display of emotional response, regardless of the situation. The facial expression, the voice tone, and the overall bearing remain devoid of emotional content. Flat affect can make it challenging for others to understand what you’re feeling or thinking, making interacting in meaningful conversation difficult. Flat affect can be associated with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

On the other hand, blunted affect is the reduced or restricted emotional expression. While emotions are still felt during blunted affect, they are not outwardly displayed as openly and intensely as expected typically. If you experience blunted affect, then you show limited facial expressions, monotonous speech, and an aura of indifference to emotional situations. Unlike flat affect, emotional responses in blunted affect are notably muted or dulled.

Out of other emotional responses, blunted affect and flat affect are two of many. Other types of emotional expressions can include;

Restricted Affect: Limited emotional expression. Not as severe as blunted affect

Inappropriate Affect: Emotions shown are not always appropriate in the situation.

Labile Affect: Frequent and unpredictable emotional expression.

Signs of Blunted Affect

The signs of blunted affect can depend on person to person and situation to situation, but some of the most common signs that you might have blunted emotions can include;

  • You rarely smile, frown, or show facial expressions when emotions are involved
  • Your voice lacks inflection and emotion, almost making you sound robotic
  • You react to situations in ways that don’t always match the typical emotional response
  • Your body language seems subdued or muted compared to others with broad affect
  • You appear to have low energy and no motivation

Blunted Affect: The Causes

Blunted affect can be a result of mixed factors ranging from mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and autism to medications and substance abuse. Here are some common factors or causes of blunted affect;

Is There Treatment For Blunted Affect?

Blunted affect treatment can depend on what causes the condition. In any case, the most common ways to treat or cure blunted effects can be;

  • Psychotherapy: Talk therapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy can help you understand what causes your lack of emotional expression and how to manage your emotions better.
  • Medications: If the cause of blunted affect isn’t medication but mental health conditions such as severe depression or schizophrenia, then a psychiatrist might prescribe certain medications to help increase emotional expression.
  • Social support: Another way to improve your mood and address your symptoms could be through social support. You can build social connections with people who can help you express and experience emotions as broadly as they are meant to be.

Wrapping Up…

Blunted affect might be a complicated aspect of emotional health, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Leaving the effects of blunted affect can impact the quality of your life, so I hope this blog helped you understand what blunted affect is, its signs, and how you can treat it.

While blunted affect can be challenging to spot and address, it’s important to keep in mind that with the right help and support, emotional expression and well-being can improve. One step at a time, right?

 

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6-Step Simple Yet Effective Road To Become More Approachable Mentally

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If you are also struggling with self-confidence or self-esteem, there could be various reasons why people do not find you approachable such as feeling inadequate, poor self-esteem, poor interpersonal skills, or underlying mental health issues (anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder).

Whatever the reason, if you’re struggling with approachability, likability, or accessibility, I have got your back. In this blog, I have simplified the process of becoming more approachable. So, let’s get started!

Importance of Becoming More Approachable

The importance of becoming more approachable is more based on the crucial role in expressing emotions, conveying communication, or expressing feelings.

Being an approachable personality helps you show confidence and encompasses various aspects such as body language, positivity, and more which will help in gauging the responses and reactions of others. If you’re thinking that becoming more approachable might benefit you professionally, you might be partially correct.

Do you know that becoming an approachable woman or man benefits you in all areas of life? Here’s how becoming approachable benefits you:

  • Approachable appearance puts people at ease to communicate with you as it also makes you more accessible.
  • Approachable appearance helps in fostering healthy connections and relationships.
  • In professional backgrounds, an approachable appearance helps promote networking, promotions, collaborations, or growth.
  • In social backgrounds, an approachable appearance helps you promote more healthy friends and connections, reduce isolation, and receive more invites.

6-Step Simple Road to Become Approachable Woman or Man

If you think you’re not approachable and if it affects you mentally, here’s your simple yet effective guide to becoming approachable, boosting self-confidence, and improving body language.

Step 1: Smile more

When I smile more often, I am surely not asking you to overdo it. All I am asking you to maintain is a genuine smile with a hint of kindness so that you can radiate positive vibes.

Do not force a smile, instead keep it more genuine to foster positive connections, maintain healthy relationships with people, and excel in both personal and professional backgrounds.

The power of a smile helps us to be naturally attracted to people we really want in life. In addition, it also helps in keeping your mental and physical health intact.

Step 2: Be kind and accessible to others

If you do not look approachable to others, it can be the reason that you’re always on your phone, and lack expressions or body language to repel you from others.

Therefore, start with small and begin with kindness. While you start practicing kindness, also be accessible to others. In this way, you’ll be able to provide your extended support to people and it will eventually help you to make room for yourself in their hearts.

If possible, start helping or supporting people in every way possible. Be open to others so that you can enhance the approachability factor within you.

Step 3: Avoid stressors and work on your body language

While you step into the process of becoming more approachable, work on your body language. If you get nervous or stressed after seeing strangers, avoid stressors by trying relaxation or stress management techniques.

Additionally, you can also begin with small moves, such as keeping your head up in social situations, smiling at strangers, or maintaining eye contact positively.

Step 4: Learn to maintain eye contact and improve your self-esteem

Even when you’re not talking or having a conversation with someone, follow the thumb rule of maintaining eye contact so that you can appear more interested and trustworthy to others.

Even if you’re struggling with social anxiety or any other type of anxiety, try to smile and look into the eyes so that they can’t spot any difference and indirectly it will help in boosting self-confidence as well.

Step 5: Be a good listener

When in a conversation or while listening to others, be a good listener. You can simply nod during conversations to look attentive, focused, or interested.

It will help you foster positive relationships with others. Additionally, try to ask open-ended questions or summarize the whole conversation to look non-judgmental, positive, enthusiastic, empathetic, or trustworthy.

Step 6: Keep your humorous and empathetic side active

Now, you really need to keep your senses active and play a little smart at this step. During serious conversations, you’ll have to use humor or empathy accurately to sound more confident, attractive, and positive.

Try to add humor or empathy with positive body language, mirroring the other person, and nodding.

5 Important Factors that Increase Approachability

Important Factors that Increase Approachability

Here’s your key guide to becoming approachable with accuracy and positivity.

 

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A Guide to Christian Marriage Counseling: Techniques, Benefits, And More

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“A successful marriage is not the union of two perfect people but the joining of two imperfect hearts with love and guidance.”

Marriage is a beautiful union, but it can be a journey filled with obstacles too challenging to navigate. When life gets tough and the relationship is put to the test, couples often seek guidance to find their way out of the storms and back to smoother waters. In these tough times, marriage counseling can be your beacon of hope and faith, especially as a couple of Christian faith.

Christian marriage counseling can offer you, as a couple, not just the tools to mend your turbulent relationship, but also the wisdom to nurture and strengthen your faith in God.

Today, let’s see how Christian marriage counseling can restore your faith, strengthen your love, and mend your relationship.

List of Contents

What is Christian Marriage Counseling?

Christian marriage counseling is a form of faith-based counseling that offers help and guidance to married couples to navigate the troubles in their lives in ways that align with their Christian values and beliefs. This form of Christian-based marriage counseling combines the principles of traditional marriage counseling with Bible teachings and wisdom.

The goal of Christian marriage counseling is to strengthen the bond between a married couple and restore faith and harmony between spouses while nurturing their spiritual and religious connection.

Moreover, Christian marriage counseling provides married couples with a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss their marital problems and work together on resolving those issues. The Christian perspective on marriage is about love, forgiveness, and commitment, which the counselor leading the therapy would use to help the couple heal and mend the relationship.

This form of marriage counseling is often led by a Christian therapist or a pastoral counselor, not unlike what happens in Christian Counseling.

Recent Statistics on Christian Divorce

The Techniques of Christian Marriage Counseling

In Christian marriage counseling, these interventions and techniques can be employed to strengthen and mend the relationship;

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

CBT is one technique that can be involved in Christian marriage counseling. Often the principles of CBT are merged with religious and spiritual guidance when it comes to faith-based counseling. Religious CBT or RCBT can allow a couple to explore their faith and connection with God. This practice can also help a couple to change their unhealthy thinking patterns and emotions into optimistic ones.

Also Read: What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Couples (CBCT)?

2. Biblical Counseling

Christian marriage counseling can also use biblical counseling as a technique. Christian marriage counselors can use the Bible as a foundation for their sessions with the couple.

They might explore the scriptures to offer advice, insights, and solutions to the couple for their marital problems. Some counselors might even use prayers as a part of counseling where they encourage the couple to pray as an act to foster a sense of spiritual connection.

3. Communication Exercises

Healthy communication is an essential part of any relationship and Christian counseling is no different. Christian marriage counselors teach couples how to express their emotions and feelings openly and honestly with each other, foster kindness and compassion in the relationship, listen and respond with patience, and ultimately understand each other’s perspective.

4. Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT)

EFT is another technique that focuses on restoring emotional connections. In Christian-based marriage counseling, EFT can help a couple recognize and express their emotions and understand how each emotion affects their relationship.

Also Read: What is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

5. The Gottman Method

Another couples counseling technique that Christian marriage counselors can employ is the Gottman Method. The Gottman Method is a technique that can help couples improve their communication skills, create trust, and increase intimacy.

The Benefits of Christian Marriage Counseling

Christian marriage counseling can help with various issues such as marital problems, communication, spirituality, acceptance, forgiveness, stress, self-compassion, self-esteem, resentment, and more. Other than resolving these problems, Christian marriage counseling can have benefits such as;

1. Allowing Spiritual Growth

Christian marriage counseling can help an individual or a couple strengthen their spiritual connection and deepen their faith in God. This form of counseling encourages a couple to explore their beliefs, values, and principles of their faith and how they relate to their marriage. This growth and connection can offer a couple a sense of purpose and direction in their relationship as well.

2. Improves Communication

Healthy communication is a cornerstone of any successful marriage. Christian marriage counseling helps a couple develop communication skills and teaches them how to express themselves openly and honestly while actively listening to their partner. These techniques often focus on kindness, patience, and understanding between the couple which can allow them to navigate difficult situations with love and understanding.

3. Enhances Intimacy

Marriage can sometimes lose the spark, so in that case, Christian marriage counseling can help remind a couple what brought them together in the first place. With the help of biblical counseling, prayers, and other techniques, a couple can be encouraged to rediscover their reasons for being together. They can engage in activities that deepen their relationship – physically as well as emotionally.

4. Strengthens the Marriage

Christian-based marriage counseling can help a couple build a solid foundation grounded in the principles of love, faith, forgiveness, and commitment. Couples in Christian marriage counseling are guided in understanding these principles within their relationship, which can strengthen their bond.

5. Offers Community Support

Many marriage counseling sessions, especially in faith-based counseling, involve seeking advice and support from communities. The communities involved can offer invaluable support and encouragement. Other couples who’ve been through similar struggles can offer insights based on their experiences. Moreover, such support from community members can become a source of strength for many couples.

What to Keep in Mind?

While Christian marriage counseling has been proven effective in resolving marital problems, there are some things you need to consider while undergoing marriage counseling. You need to be prepared to open up about your marital issues and be honest with yourself as well as the counselor. This will help them offer the best possible guidance and solutions.

While in marriage counseling, you need to remember that healing takes time. Don’t expect immediate results, but trust that the counselor knows what they are doing. You also need to choose a counselor whose values, beliefs, and faith align with yours and your partners’.

Even so, before you decide on marriage counseling, talk to your partner about their beliefs, values, and faith. It will be beneficial to choose a counselor based on the mutual goals, values, and beliefs of a couple.

Where to Find Christian-Based Marriage Counseling?

If you and your partner are considering Christian marriage counseling, then here are some resources that can help you in your search;

1. Faithful Counseling:

Faithful Counseling is an online marriage counseling platforfaithm that offers access to Christian counselors who specialize in marriage counseling and family therapy.

Visit Faithful Counseling Now

2. Hope Restored:

Hope Restored is a biblically based, Christian counseling platform for couples facing a crisis moment in their marriage. They offer access to licensed Christian counselors who are trained to work with couples who are struggling with long-term marital problems.

Visit Hope Restored Now

3. Ask Your Church:

Some Churches offer marriage counseling or can help you find a counselor who specializes in Christian or faith-based counseling. You can reach out to your Church for recommendations.

4. Books and Workshops:

You can also find support and guidance for your marriage through numerous faith-based books, workshops, and courses online.

Wrapping Up…

Christian marriage counseling can be a powerful faith-based approach for couples looking to mend their marriage and strengthen their connection and faith in God. With the help of biblical counseling, effective communication skills, and relationship-building exercises, faith-based couples can find the support they need to resolve their marital problems while growing closer to each other and their faith.

 

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Contraceptive pill users less likely to report depression

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A new study has shown that women who are taking the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to report depression.

The research, which analyzed data from 6,239 women in the United States aged 18-55 years old, found that the prevalence of major depression amongst users of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) was significantly lower, at 4.6%, compared to former OCP users (11.4%).

The study was led by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), alongside experts from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the University of California, Davis.

The researchers suggest two possible explanations for their findings, which are contrary to a commonly held belief that OCP can cause depression.

One is that taking the pill can remove concerns about unwanted pregnancy, therefore helping to improve the mental health of OCP users. It is also possible the results could be influenced by “survivor bias,” where women who experience signs of depression while using OCP stop taking it, moving them into the category of former users.

The cross-sectional study, which used data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, controlled for demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and the use of antidepressants.

In both users and former users, widowed, divorced, or separated women, obese women, or those with a history of cancer were more likely to report depression. In addition, in former users, depression was more commonly reported in women who were Black or Hispanic, were smokers, had lower levels of education, or were experiencing poverty.

 

Lead author Dr Julia Gawronska, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “Contraception is a crucial component of preventive health care. Most women tolerate taking the oral contraceptive pill without experiencing depressive symptoms but there is a subset of women that may experience adverse mood side effects and even develop depression, and the reasons are not entirely clear.

“Unlike some previous studies, we found that women currently taking the oral contraceptive pill were much less likely to report clinically relevant depression compared to women who previously took the pill.

“Taking the pill could provide positive mental health benefits for some women, simply by removing their concerns about becoming pregnant. The ‘survivor effect’ could also play a part, with women who experience symptoms of depression more likely to discontinue taking it, placing them into the group of former users.

“However, stopping taking the pill without a suitable alternative increases the risk of unintended pregnancy. It is important that women are fully supported, provided with full information, and offered alternative forms of contraception if necessary.”

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