Emotion regulation isn’t about suppressing feelings or leaving them at the door.
Returning guest Dr. Marc Brackett explains how we can prepare for emotionally charged situations before they happen, including a simple doorknob habit he uses before entering his own home and a five-step process for creating space between a feeling and our response.
Key takeaways include:
- Regulate before the difficult moment: Brackett introduces proactive regulation, preparing yourself emotionally before walking into situations where you know stress, frustration, or other strong feelings may arise.
- Create a Meta Moment: His five-step process, Sense, Stop, See your best self, Strategize, and Self-assess, offers a practical way to interrupt automatic reactions and choose how you want to respond.
- Different emotions need different strategies: Brackett emphasizes flexible regulation, recognizing that overwhelm might call for a micro-break, anxiety for self-talk, and relationship difficulties for perspective from someone you trust.
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris offers practical tools and expert conversations for a calmer, more mindful life. New Episodes air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
