Name your negative emotions

Facing a nerve-racking presentation at work? The quickest – and scientifically proven – way to take the edge off your anxiety and help you feel more in control is a method called “affect labelling”. That is, to simply acknowledge the emotion you’re feeling. So before a meeting you might say, “I’m feeling panicky.” Or after a tense phone call, “I’m feeling angry.”

Neuroscientific research shows that naming the emotion can dampen the activity in the amygdala, which is the emotional hazard detection centre of the brain. This allows your rational brain to take back control. The point is to become more aware of your emotions and separate yourself from them.