What To Do When Someone Hurts Your Feelings
Last Update on August 25, 2021 : Published on June 28, 2021
What do you feel when someone hurts you with their words or actions? Do you feel angry? Do you feel sad? Do you feel shocked?
Emotions are a part of what makes us human and when someone says something hurtful or does something that offends us, we feel strong emotions. No one is free from feeling affected when someone hurts them.
There may be many reasons why someone’s actions or words might affect you but whatever you feel is valid and is important to be addressed.
If your feelings have been hurt recently or if someone has been hurting you over and over, below mentioned are some things you can do when someone hurts your feelings.
What To Do When Your Feelings Are Hurt
1. Recognize The Intent
The first thing you need to do when someone hurts your feelings is to recognize the intent. Were their actions or words intentional? Were they unintentional? Did they act out of misunderstanding?
Identify their intent and if you have any confusion ask them about their intention. Make sure that you recognize the intent carefully and respond accordingly instead of instinctively reacting.
2. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Another thing to do here is to acknowledge your feelings. Accepting your hurt feelings will allow you to understand your emotions and where they come from. One of the best ways to do this is journaling.
Write what you’re thinking, how you feel, what emotions the other person’s actions or words brought up. Journaling can also give you a different perspective about yourself, the other person’s cause of action, and the emotions you’re feeling.
2. Be Honest About Your Feelings
The next best thing to do when someone hurts your feelings is to have an open and honest conversation with them. Don’t be confrontational or rude but do let them know that their actions or words have hurt you whether or not they meant it unintentionally or otherwise.
These kinds of conversations can go either of two ways; One, the person either won’t care about your opinion or they would have no idea that they hurt your feelings.
Whatever the case, be honest with yourself and the other person. Don’t make a scene but be polite.
3. Consult A Professional
Many people don’t realize but illnesses such as high blood pressure or high sugar can all be causes of our emotional reaction. If you’re not feeling physically well and the reason is your emotional response, it is recommended you talk to a doctor.
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Be open about your feelings and your reactions to others. Notice any physical reaction you’ve had to emotional response.
4. Physical Exercise Can Help
Physical exercises are another best way to let go of all the hurt and emotions you’re carrying inside. Exercise is known to bring positive changes to your physical as well as mental health and it can boost your overall wellness. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins, our body’s happy hormone also known as the body’s natural painkillers.
Endorphins can cause us to feel excitement and joy. Meaning, if our mood is happy, feelings of sadness and hurt can decrease.
5. Opt For Healthy Distractions
When someone says something that hurts my feelings, I prefer to find a book to read. Reading is a healthy distraction than spending time wallowing in hurt. Healthy distractions like listening to upbeat music, reading, cooking, painting, etc, can help us express our feelings and cope with the pain of being hurt.
Opt for an activity that distracts you but do not give up on finding a solution to your problem. Distractions are temporary and a way to clear your mind enough to find a viable solution.
If Hurt Feelings Don’t Go Away, Get Help…
Letting go of hurt feelings and emotions isn’t easy and if your feelings are still constant and present after you’ve tried the above methods, seek out help. Reaching out to mental health professionals can help understand the true reason for your hurt feelings and how you can move on.
With the help of a therapist, you can get to the root of the problem and learn effective ways to cope with your emotions and feelings. You can visit these online therapy platforms to connect with trained and certified professionals.
You can also reach out to us at info@calmsage.com or connect with us on our social media. We’re always here to help you!
I hope now you know what to do when someone hurts your feelings. Whatever you’re feeling is valid and important.
Remember, you are not alone!
Take Care!
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About The Author
Swarnakshi Sharma
Swarnakshi is a content writer at Calm sage, who believes in a healthier lifestyle for mind and body. A fighter and survivor of depression, she strives to reach and help spread awareness on ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues. A spiritual person at heart, she believes in destiny and the power of Self. She is an avid reader and writer and likes to spend her free time baking and learning about world cultures.
