Unlocking Emotional Rest for Christian Women

How to Process Emotions and Reduce Stress

Hey there, friend! It’s Amy Wadlington, your certified Christian life coach, and I’m so excited to have you here. On the latest Episode of Her Unraveled Life podcast, we dove deep into the world of emotional rest for Christian women and how processing our emotions can lead to holistic wellness and true happiness. As women of faith, maintaining emotional health helps us to fully be who God created us to be. Additionally, if you’re not getting emotional rest as a Christian woman, you’re not fully living the abundant life God has for you!

Emotional Rest for Holistic Wellness

Happiness isn’t just a destination; it’s a journey, and embracing holistic wellness is key. Did you know that Olympians were found to be happier while competing than after winning a gold medal? It’s all about the pursuit.

But what’s emotional rest for women of faith, and how does it tie into happiness? Emotional rest is taking a break from the demands that weigh us down. It’s about finding moments of solitude, doing joyful activities, and stepping back from stressful situations. But there’s a fine line between avoiding your feelings and finding just enough space to rest.

Emotional Awareness and Self-Care Strategies

Suppressing emotions can lead to anxiety, depression, and even autoimmune disorders. I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of the women I coach. But we’re not letting that happen to you! Here are my practical tips for achieving emotional rest:

1. Spend Time Alone: Create intentional moments of solitude.
2. Practice Self-Care: Pamper yourself with a favorite activity.
3. Journal Your Feelings: Write down your emotions to gain clarity.
4. Talk to a Trusted Friend: Share your struggles with someone who listens without judgment.
5. Avoid Stressful Situations: Say “no” when necessary.
6. Spend Time in Nature: Reconnect with the outdoors.
7. Commit to Better Health: Focus on holistic wellness.
8. Surround Yourself with Comfort: Create a cozy, inviting space.
9. Get Good Sleep: Quality rest is crucial for emotional balance.

Grab my Self-Care Checklist to help you start prioritizing these activities.

My Journey Through Grief

Grief isn’t just about losing a loved one; it touches many aspects of our lives. I’ve had my share of it too. For instance, I had to grieve the future I envisioned for my kids. When my youngest daughter, who has ADHD, struggled with school during the pandemic, I pulled her out to homeschool her, which has been a wonderful experience for us both, but I mourned the high school experience she missed out on.

I know I’m not alone in this. You might also be grieving opportunities, changes in circumstances, or imagined futures. It’s so important to acknowledge and process these losses. It’s a normal part of life, especially in challenging times.

Growing up, I always believed that showing vulnerability or uncomfortable emotions would burden others. So, I stuffed those feelings down deep, thinking I was protecting my mom from worry. But that belief was a lie the enemy used to exploit my vulnerabilities.

Instead of avoiding emotions, try to understand and identify them:

• Label Accurately: Avoid vague terms like anxiety or guilt; name the specific emotion.
• Allow Yourself to Feel: Suppression leads to self-burdening patterns.
• Move Toward Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself.

Let’s stop being so hard on ourselves and start giving ourselves grace.

If we can learn to master these seven emotions, we can master any emotion:

• Sadness
• Shame
• Helplessness
• Anger
• Vulnerability
• Disappointment
• Frustration
• Embarrassment

Intentional emotional processing is crucial for holistic wellness. Here’s how I break down the steps to fully process your emotions:

1. Identify the Emotion: Use a feelings wheel to recognize your emotions and triggers.
2. Validate Yourself: Remind yourself, “It’s okay to feel this way.”
3. Sit With Your Feelings: Spend a few minutes feeling the emotion without judgment or trying to change it.
4. Express Your Emotions: Journal, dance, listen to music, or have a good cry.
5. Pray in the Spirit: Jude 20 says, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” Let the Holy Spirit guide you.

We’re talking about building emotional maturity, which means managing life’s stresses and emotions healthily. Emotionally mature people are resilient because they’ve practiced self-awareness and know how to handle their emotions.

Forgiveness, Emotional Rest, and Growth

Forgiveness is essential for spiritual growth and overcoming emotional exhaustion. If you’re emotionally drained, reach out to me for support because limitless opportunities for freedom and healing are waiting.

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional rest involves acknowledging and processing feelings rather than avoiding them.
• Intentional emotional processing leads to spiritual growth, emotional maturity, and holistic wellness.
• Self-compassion and forgiveness are essential components of emotional healing.

In conclusion, remember this: You are capable. I want you to know that you have limitless opportunities. Freedom and healing are available to you. I can help you to uncover what’s blocking you and find the emotional rest you deserve. Remember, emotions aren’t permanent, and no emotion is “bad.”

Resource Links:

• Self-Care Checklist
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• The Feel Wheel
• 90 Seconds to a Life You Love: How to Master Your Difficult Feelings to Cultivate Lasting Confidence, Resilience, and Authenticity by Dr Joan Rosenberg

Have you missed the series so far? Click on these links to read about Physical Rest and Mental Rest

Here are even more Christian Podcast Episodes For Women You May Enjoy

Check out the Rest Series on my podcast:
🔹 The Importance of Rest
🔹 Physical Rest
🔹 Mental Rest
🔹 Social Rest
🔹 Emotional Rest
🔹 Sensory Rest
🔹 Creative Rest
🔹 Discovering God’s Rest

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode Here:

Keywords: Christian life coach, life coaching for Christian women, emotional rest, holistic wellness, inner peace, emotional healing, spiritual growth, grief and healing