Just like anger or sadness, guilt is a self-conscious emotion that we can feel from time to time. Usually, this accompanies a negative experience or behaviour in our life and can help you realise that you’ve made the wrong choice. This kind of guilt helps us learn from our mistakes. However, there is a more toxic, overwhelming guilt that can be crippling and detrimental to our mental health.

“Guilt can create a lingering sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach. Feelings of guilt have to be excavated, expressed, and explored. If we don’t address it directly, it may appear as self-sabotaging behavior. Guilt and shame are gateway feelings that can cause depression and feelings of worthlessness if not addressed.” Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith, LCSW, DD

Sometimes we feel guilt about things that are not necessarily negative things but things that we feel ashamed of. For example you might feel guilty about making a stupid mistake in front of others or saying something you didn’t mean. If you feel like this kind of irrational guilt is popping up too often in your life, try these tips:

• Figure out the root cause of the guilt or the behaviour causing the guilt
• Find ways to make amends and reduce your feelings of guilt
• Focus on the things you can control, not the feelings or reactions of other people
• Share some self-compassion with yourself and don’t be so hard on yourself!