The Emotional Jug - Are you guilty of this?
What's an 'emotional jug'?
Someone once gave me this picture on a piece of paper of a jug stuffed with emotions like fear, anger, pain, relief, tenderness, pleasure, and love. The good emotions were all jammed into the jug at the bottom and the bad ones were on top... ready to explode.
(Credit for the 'emotional jug' goes to the PAIRS Foundation. Reference used with permission. See bottom for more info.)
It's a picture of what can happen, if we don't properly listen to and handle our emotions. Our emotions get pushed down and we become emotionally damaged.
Emotional damage is another common cause of depression in our society.
We have layers of hurt and misconceptions brought on by family, culture and society, gender differences, religious institutions, etc. Our lives can become controlled by our emotions whether we admit it or not.
We must allow ourselves to feel our emotions...safely.
Our emotions are like indicators on our car dashboard. If your fuel is low or your oil is low, you need to get a fill!
Listen to our body's physical signs...
What is your body telling you?
Example: tension headache, teeth grinding, stomach in knots, sweating, etc. These ailments are simply the result of emotions improperly expressed. Become aware of your emotions and your health will benefit.
Ask yourself...
What am I sad about?
What am I mad about?
What am I scared about?
What am I glad about? (Don't forget this one.)
Action Steps:
1. One powerful thing I've learned is to journal your feelings. You'd be surprised at how effective this is to understanding your depression and where it is rooted. Start with the questions listed above. Make sure you end with what you are glad about. :)
2. Secondly, walk through the journey of expressing your emotions with a counselor.
3. Request our full e-course to learn more on how to beat depression.
There is hope!
You are worth it!
- Merri Ellen :)
Source: 'Emotional Jug' / the PAIRS Foundation (www.pairs.com) You can also learn more from
"Relationship Road Map"
One Woman's Cure Depression Story and Research Findings That Is Changing Lives in Over 120 Countries To Date.
What people are saying about the cure your depression research...
“Your web site is absolutely fantastic! We will refer all of our clients to your web site.” –Anthony, Director of Mental Imaging Clinic, Las Vegas
"Hello Merri Ellen I am a therapist who runs out patient programs for people with mental health issues. One of my clients alerted me to your depression site today and I am impressed by both your energy and your generous contribution to others suffering with illness. Thank you. I have just completed reading through your info. Found it to be a wonderfully informative resource and will not have any problem in passing on your website address to some of my clients. The greatest value is in the fact that you have been a consumer and have a very different understanding than others may have. This allows you to be heard a little more readily sometimes. I thank you for your courage and wish you good health always. Regards" - Sue
"I was on Wellbutrin and Prozac until using your techniques… I haven’t felt so good for so many consecutive days in 20 years... Thank you for your website and your incredible tips!!!" - Robyn, former depression sufferer
"Thank you so much for all the articles I receive in my e-mails. They have helped me alot. I have suffered with depression several years, and right now I am not taking any medication at all." - Mary, former depression sufferer
"I was telling [my husband] that last year at this time I was having anxiety and depression and was wanting to die, and now (one year later) I literally have waves of excitement and happiness. It's hard to describe, but I am really happy right now… Life is good. I cannot complain. I am healed!!!!! - Gloria, former depression sufferer
"I can only explain my gratitude by saying God must have brought you my way. I was just on the verge of requesting anti-depressants from my Dr. the day that I found your website. In the most natural, helpful fashion your research, the way you've set up the e-course, all of it just fed me with the step by step solutions I had been longing for for months. I will always read your work, updates you provide, your service is priceless. Thank you, your work is such a blessing!" - Alysha, on the journey
"I am 63 years old. Went through severe depression about 5 years ago. If I had ended it all, I wouldn’t have the joy in knowing my new grandchild. I followed the steps on this web sight and I’m certainly glad I did. I feel your pain, I hope you can find your way out. No one can do it for you. I’m off all medication and still experience sadness and disparities but those times do not last. I am cheering you on my peaceful home in Tulsa. Don’t forget to do your light therapy. Journaling helped me, Keep moving forward, you may find joy in your life next year." - Anonymous post in our Forum :)
"As a licensed clinical social worker and a woman with a life-time history of depression, I really commend you on the work you have done on this site." - Robyn, Social Worker
"I have been depressed for most of my life, have read many books and articles have taught others about depression, have taken various antidepressant medications. I have begun taking your advice on how to overcome depression for just over a week now.
I am encouraged at what i have read and i have put into practice what has been suggested. I have found that the research of Merri Ellen is very good, it is practical and makes common and medical sense. I fully agree that the medication is only part of the cure for depression, in that it takes away some of the worst symptoms of one's depression. The time to do something about one's depression is when the bad edge has been taken off. I have started the process you recommend and i am encouraged at my progress so far.
The big difference is that i have taken a decision to carefully put into practice what i have been told. So far so good and thank you for your advice. It has been a blessing to me." - Tony
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