Manage and Express Emotions Better with This Two-Step Process

Ever have one of those days where youre just pissed off for no reason?

Or youre anxious, but cant really narrow down why?

The idea here is kind of obvious, but its also something most of use dont do.

Caruso gives a few examples:

[Pay more attention to] physiological signals.

Like tensionI feel my jaw is tense, theres tension around my eyes.

Am I worried, am I anxious, am I angry?

So Im mildly anxious right now, lets say.

The next part is to ask yourself, And what are the possible causes of that…

So the moral of that story is not just to do that physiological check.

Step two is to ask yourself, Where is it coming from?

and Is that anxiety related to the communication Im about to make?

A decision Im about to make?

Or an email Im about to send?

Where is that irritation coming from?

Where is the anger coming from?

Is it a leftover mood because traffic was terrible today?

Or damn it, Im getting a cold again and I cant afford it?

How to Get Better at Expressing Emotions| The Atlantic

Photo byAlly Aubry.