How do you hide your emotions?

Question

And I don't want any of that "It's not good", "It causes depression", "Don't ever do it, you'll regret people not knowing." If I trust someone, I willingly show them how I feel, but I need advice for people whom I don't trust.

Answer 1

I'm British so supposedly good at this :-)
Basically, you just have to train yourself to keep your mind off something, if you dwell on it, you will get emotional and then will show your emotions. Also, always try to stay very calm and think before you speak. If you allow yourself to get involved in the moment, you will say and do stuff that gives your emotions away. If you stay very calm, (breathing slowly) you can consider how you willl express yourself more carefully and then will appear less emotional.
Best of Luck
xx

Answer 2

I agree that there are certain times when it's necessary to hide all emotions - even happiness. It's especially important during serious negotiations.

I myself have practiced keeping my face and posture a little bit blank. Whenever something surprises me, I have "trained" myself to immediately take this posture. The big trick to this is - BREATHE! It's the simplest thing, and yet - whenever we're under stress/angry/surprised/etc - the first thing we do is stop breathing (or breathe shallowly!). I learned this from an ex-boyfriend that was in the military and had special training in how to pass lie detector tests.

I have also "drafted" some non-sequitor-type responses for such situations too. It's kinda like being a politician - how to say something without actually saying anything. My favorite expression: "That's nice," or: "Oh."

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I agree.. there are times such as in business or in a formal setting or in public when it's just not appropriate to show emotions or blurt out whatever we're feeling.

In those cases, what works for me, is to be aware of how I'm feeling, but tell myself, I'm OK for now, I can handle it, and it's OK to feel like this.. and that later on I'll work on solving the problem that's causing me to feel this way.

Often just acknowledging we feel a certain way in the moment, and that it's OK (we're human), is enough to help us feel better.. no need to express it to the whole world every time.

Another trick is to ask "What would make me feel better right now?" and then imagine doing that..

Answer 4

Not revealing your emotions is not bad for you, SUPPRESSING them is....

in general I do not become overly friendly with people I do not know, I am a very private person and through my work i have also learned not to let people know what I am thinking. the best way to do this is to remain calm (not only when angry, but also when happy) this reduces your blood pressure and pulse rate, and through that and relaxing meditation (or reflection for those who don't liek the word meditation) you will control your emotional outbursts to a point that unless you want someone to know how you feel they won't. This also works when people often say stupid things lol.

Answer 5

Do you know how you brace yourself if someone was going to punch you? I practice that kind of control in my face and body until I reached a point that someone could verbally punch me and not get a reaction. I always let it out later to diffuse it.

You are correct that it's not healthy to always stuff emotions, but there is no point is showing our vulnerabilities to people who will grasp at anything to try to attack. All the best.

Answer 6

Just try to think that you're indifferent about that certain thing. Smile and make jokes all the time, leave your depressive thoughts at home. Just go along with those people..pretend you're happy when they're happy and sad when they're sad.

Answer 7

I hide unwanted emotions in a filing cabinet inside my mind. It is pink with silver sparkles.
Got a few ex-boyfriends stuffed in there I choose not to think about.

Answer 8

I hide my emotions behind humor. It takes me awhile to trust people well enough to show my true feelings.

Answer 9

To hide your emotions, take your mind off the person (if it's your girlfriend->). Go to places like the bowling alley where you hardly ever talk.

Answer 10

You know how sales people act? Do that. ~~~ If you are wanting to not look upset about something....relax your face & drop your lower jaw a little so that the teeth are not touching. No expression is better than a pissed one.