GUIDE YOUR EMOTIONS

You tend to think about the worst possible scenarios, snap at others and feel worn out by confrontations.

IDENTIFY WHAT’S WRONG ‘When a rising tide of emotions threatens to take you off course, stop and put a label on what you’re feeling to loosen its grip,’ says Bonnie. Furious? Say to yourself: ‘I’m angry.’ Worried? Say: ‘I’m concerned.’ Identify the feeling and you can begin to manage it.

REPACKAGE FEELINGS

Give negative feelings positive labels. For example, if you’re anxious about doing something in front of a group, call the anxiety ‘excitement’. The two emotions provoke a similar physical reaction, so it’s all about your state of mind.

CHANGE YOUR REACTION Remember that, while you can’t always change what happens, you can change how you react to things. If someone is rude, you can choose to be compassionate or angry, ignore them or make a joke.

USE THE POWER POSE ‘Research shows that by adopting “power poses”, you lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and raise testosterone, making you less afraid and more willing to take on challenges,’ says Bonnie. Try standing with your legs apart and your hands on your hips. Feeling more in control, right?