Write it down.

Putting our thoughts in writing - with actual pen and paper, not just typing - can be a powerful way to force ourselves to reckon with our feelings.

For example, let’s imagine Ben takes some time to describe his feelings on paper. He m...

Amy has the exact same fate and initial reaction to Ben.

She also wakes up in the morning with a knot in her stomach. But her response is different: She takes control or her thoughts and changes her perspective:

“That job was never going to take me anywhere,” she thinks. “I'm sure I c...

Talk to someone.

As we voice our thoughts and feelings to someone we trust, we may find ourselves re-thinking our opinion as we speak.

And even if not, we give that person the chance to give valuable feedback, to put on their

Despite facing similar situations, Amy’s reaction is much more beneficial. By exercising emotional intelligence, she’s able to change the way she views her circumstances. This simple perspective shift allows her to get her emotions under control, leading her to also take control ...

Fill your mind with positive thoughts.

Negative feelings like self-doubt and self-pity can quickly spiral out of control. Focusing on positive thoughts can help us find balance.

For example, Ben could make a list of potential positive consequences from losing his job:...

The technique of “changing your glasses” is rooted in principles of cognitive psychology.

In the 1950s, psychologist Albert Ellis taught that irrational thinking is the root cause for many emotional problems. For example, irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotional conse...

Ben has just lost his job. He’s devastated.

"What am I going to do now?" he asks.

He falls asleep at night, swimming in a sea of negative emotions.

In the morning, he wakes up distraught. “This stuff always happen to me,” he thinks. “I have the worst luck.” Ben's negativ...

People who wear glasses know that a change in prescription is sometimes required, to allow them to see more clearly.

Sometimes, we need to do the same thing mentally: our thoughts and emotions may cloud our vision and judgment. When that’s the case, we need to change our gl...