Take inventory.

Acknowledging and verbalizing your emotions can help.

Acknowledging emotions

Did you know? Putting words to how you’re feeling can actually help you manage emotions. Basically, when you calmly verbalize something like, “I’m feeling frustrated,” one of the regulating parts of your brain (the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, if you’re curious) becomes more active.

So, next time you’re feeling a bit frazzled or frightened, go ahead and say so. If you want someone to talk through your emotions with, phone a friend or reach out to a professional. Local counselors are listed on Psychology Today’s website and on Yolo County’s Mental Health Services site.