One of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is self-expression. People who express themselves fully are healthier, happier, more confident and energetic, and much more attractive. That’s because expression of your inner thoughts and feelings releases negativity from your body and being.
To express means “to push out”. When you express, you externalize your inner thoughts and feelings. Expression clears your body, mind and emotions of negativity allowing your life force to flow freely in your body. You radiate a light that glows from within. You feel relaxed and open to connect with others. People can sense your openness and are drawn to you like a magnet.
But don’t take my word for it. Discover it for yourself. Cut out this article and save it for a bad day. The next time you are feeling angry, sad or low in energy, try this self-expression exercise and see what happens. Go to a place where you have privacy and can make noise. You will need a chair.
Step 1. Imagine that “The You That Feels Bad” is seated in the chair.
Step 2. Stand in front of the chair and talk out loud to the imaginary “You” that is seated in the chair. Say, “(Your name), I understand how you feel. You feel __________ and ________ and _________, etc. I really understand all of that.”
Step 3. Ask, “Is there anything else I don’t understand?”
Step 4. Now, actually sit down in the chair. Say out loud anything else you think or feel about it all.
Step 5. Stand up again and say, “I understand that you also feel____.”
Step 6. Now lie down, relax and breathe. Notice any difference. You may feel a little silly, but you may also feel more calm, energized and open to connect to others. The simple act of creatively expressing how you feel, releases the intensity and frees you for connection to others.
This article is the first of a series about the power of self-expression to transform your life into all that you want to be. I plan to write about the things that we teach at The Self-Expression Center – acting for non-actors, presentation, mastering stage fright, communication, voice, rapport, presence, connection, charisma, breathing, relaxation and authenticity. I hope to give you some ideas to empower your self-expression in personal and professional situations.