Emotional safety. Does that sound like a lofty concept? Let’s break it down.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL SAFETY?
Emotional is defined as relating to one’s feelings. Safety means keeping yourself or others free from harm. So, put them together, and what does emotional safety mean? When you’re emotionally safe, you’ve removed yourself as a barrier to others freely being themselves. Recent neurobiology research by Dr. Stephen Porges reveals that emotional safety is one of the most important aspects of connection in a relationship.
Emotional safety comes from within. It starts with you. It consists of identifying your feelings and being able to feel them.
Emotional safety means revealing your true self to another person. It’s expressing who you are, including your hurts, fears and dreams. It’s expressing yourself authentically, sharing dissatisfaction, fears and insecurities, and having a conversation without it blowing up into an argument. It’s sharing without fear of shaming, yelling or rejection.