The number one skill human beings should learn to master, according to a brain surgeon [PART 2]

Another tool for your belt

We’re back by popular demand with Part 2.

In case you missed it, you can read PART 1 here where I share one of the quickest ways to regulate emotions.

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Imagine you text a friend and you don’t hear back from them all day.

At first you think, “they must be mad at me” or “they don’t care about our friendship.”

This makes you feel anxious or hurt.

But then you take a step back and think, “maybe their day was packed” or “they could be having a hard day.”

This shift in perspective helps you feel less upset and more understanding.

If you’ve ever done this, congratulations, you have regulated your emotions using cognitive reappraisal.

Cognitive reappraisal is the process of changing how you think about a situation to change how you feel about it.

There are different ways to practice reappraisal.

1. Distancing