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Previously, a hashtag called #emotionalsupportwaterbottle gained a lot of attention on TikTok. So what exactly is it?
Emotional support water bottles refer to the fact that people will have feelings for the water bottles they have been using. Objects that have been with them for a long time can always bring back many memories for people, thus generating some kind of emotion, which sometimes has a comforting effect.
One netizen shared her beloved water bottle covered in stickers, saying: “I struggle with severe social anxiety and going back to the office makes me anxious. So, keep a few things with you at home and follow the instructions I want. Decorating in a way that makes me feel a little at home, it makes you feel relaxed and comforted when you’re homesick or feeling anxious. ”
Associate Professor Keong Yap, a clinical psychologist and hoarding disorder expert at the Australian Catholic University, compared the new phenomenon to items babies use to relieve anxiety, such as stuffed animals and security blankets. “They are objects that will not betray us, they are reliable and predictable, they will not harm us,” Yap said.
As of October 2022, the emotional support water bottle label has received 64 million views on TikTok. Water bottles have become a trendy accessory for some and were a common accessory on the streets of New York Fashion Week, with Melbourne comedian and model Aurelia St Clair posting a video of a 2-liter water bottle with the hashtag #emotionalsupportwaterbottle.
What is emotional support?
Emotions are a part of the whole of attitude, which has a coordinated consistency with the introverted feelings and intentions in attitude, and is a more complex and stable physiological evaluation and experience of attitude in physiology.
Emotions do not only refer to people’s joy, anger, sadness and happiness, but also refer to all the sensory, organic, psychological and spiritual feelings of people in general. Emotional support water bottles are also a way to seek emotional support
Emotions are a kind of support for people’s mind and an indispensable part of life.
Emotional support refers to providing help and support at the emotional level to relieve personal psychological stress and negative emotions. Usually emotional support is achieved through interaction and communication with others, such as family, friends or partners in close relationships, colleagues and leaders in the workplace, and even professional psychotherapists.
What is the nature of emotional support?
Emotional support may look different depending on the environment, the people involved, and cultural or social norms. However, there are some signs of good emotional support that apply to any situation.
Effective emotional support is:
- Respectful, treating people in need with dignity and consideration.
- Non-judgmental, meaning that a person does not judge the thoughts, feelings, or opinions of others.
- Compassionate (empathetic), providing comfort and understanding
- Unconditional, meaning the person does not have to do anything or react in any particular way to get support.
- Person-centered, meaning attentive to the wants and needs of the person seeking support.
How to be emotionally supportive?
Listen attentively
Consider the other person’s feelings and listen to the specific words they use to describe them. Remember that people react differently to the same things, so try to understand their point of view.
Listen without judgment or interruption
Sometimes just being listened to can make someone feel supported. Don’t tell the person how they should feel. Don’t contradict their way of thinking or minimize the seriousness of their problem.
Reflection
Summarize or “reflect” on what they have said because it shows that they understand. For example, “It must be awful for John to be back in the hospital. I can hear that you are tired and scared.”
Empathize and comfort
Depending on the situation, remind the person that everyone makes mistakes or that they are loved. Or praising their ability to get through difficult times is also appropriate.
Honesty
Even when a person is unsure of how to respond to bad news or difficult feelings, honesty is still a possible support. A person might say, “I want to make it better and offer the right support, but I’m not sure what to say. I’m still here to listen and I want to keep talking.”
Ask what they need
This gives the person who needs help control over the help they get. Some may just want to talk, or they may need advice or material support. Others may want to be distracted and change the subject of the conversation.
Some things to try to avoid include:
- Telling a person how to feel: emotions, including strong ones, are part of the human experience. It’s scary to hear someone talk about how bad their emotions are, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad. Avoid telling someone to change their mindset or “think positively” because it invalidates their feelings.
- Minimize problems: people find different things stressful or difficult. Avoid telling the person that their problems are not as bad or that other people’s problems are worse. This may make them feel guilty.
- Saying “I know how you feel”: This may be true, but try not to make this assumption until you have heard what the other person has to say. Claiming to understand the other person’s unique point of view before you really understand them may make them feel less understood.
- Speed up the conversation: don’t rush through the conversation if there isn’t enough time to provide emotional support. This can make a person feel insignificant. Instead, a person might say, “I really want to talk about this, but I have a meeting I can’t leave. Can we talk over lunch?”
- Focus on their own needs: people in pain usually don’t have the capacity to take care of other people’s feelings, so it’s not helpful to talk about how their emotions are affecting others. It may only make them feel guilty. Try to focus on their needs during the conversation.
- Showing irritation: sometimes people see distress as a discipline problem or a personality defect. For example, a parent may feel this way about their child. Acting angry, telling someone to “snap out of it,” and similar reactions may make the distress worse.
How to Seek Emotional Support?
Pick the right person
some people are more experienced at providing support than others. This doesn’t necessarily mean they care more, just that they have more practice. Try to choose someone who has this skill and avoid those who have not been able to help in the past.
Explicitly ask for support
This can be hard, but it reduces miscommunication and helps a person find support more quickly. Tell the person what they can do to help. For example, “Do you have time to talk? I need someone to listen.”
Clear Communication
If a person misunderstands or says something that isn’t helpful, gently let them know. For example, “I know you’re trying to help me by giving me advice, but I just want to vent right now.”
CONSIDER ALL TYPES OF SUPPORT
Some people find it difficult to accept material help, such as favors or financial assistance. However, if someone is open about this type of support and it’s different, there’s no shame in saying yes. Similarly, if a person is not receiving support from friends or family, they may need to call a specialist helpline or support service.
There is too much pressure in modern society. If you are tired, just stop. If you are sad, just cry. Go to eat a delicious meal or watch a comedy movie. Come on!