The Association Blog

Try this science-based tip to analyze your feelings about a negative event (no ruminating allowed)

When negative events occur, it is very easy to get caught in that loop of playing the painful scene over and over. We’ve all done it, and it doesn’t feel good to revisit the negative emotions associated with the event.

But guess what? The Greater Good Science Center has a five-minute exercise to help practice self-distancing, which encourages you to move away from the painful details and feelings, and to consider the event in more abstract terms.

Finding a more distanced POV can help reduce the anger, frustration and sadness surrounding these situations, as well minimize recurring thoughts. Here you’ll find the five simple steps for gaining perspective on negative events, along with a Stress & Anxiety quiz to determine how ready you might be to tackle difficult events and emotions.

Try it and let us know how the experiment goes.

More Tips of the Week

Ask for Help at Work
The Feelings Wheel
Kitten Bottle Feeding Guide

Photo: Unsplash