ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Managing your emotions so they don't manage you
Managing your emotions so they don't manage you
Managing your emotions so they don't manage you
Saturday 31st May 2025
Ethan Kross shares tools for managing emotions before they spiral out of control in 'All In The Mind'. Discover strategic avoidance and more.
31 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Hopeful
Educational
Supportive
About this podcast
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ABC Radio
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Episodes:
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Episode Overview
- Strategic avoidance can sometimes be beneficial for managing emotions.
- Early emotional regulation leads to healthier and more successful lives.
- Music is an underutilised tool for shifting emotions.
- The ability to manage emotions can improve over time.
- Different strategies work for different people; there's no one-size-fits-all.
You can avoid constructively and then return to the problem.
In this fascinating episode of 'All In The Mind', you'll find Ethan Kross sharing some intriguing strategies for managing emotions before they take control. Ethan, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan, introduces listeners to the concept of 'strategic avoidance'. While it might sound counterintuitive, sometimes giving your emotions a brief time-out can actually be beneficial.
Ethan uses anecdotes from his own life, including stories about his grandmother's experiences during World War II, to illustrate how sometimes stepping back from overwhelming emotions can be a strategic choice. Ethan also dives into the Dunedin Study, which has tracked individuals from birth into their fifties, revealing that early emotional regulation can lead to healthier, more successful lives. However, the study also suggests that the ability to manage emotions is not set in stone.
It's something that can be improved over time, offering a glimmer of hope for those struggling with emotional challenges. The episode isn't just about avoidance; Ethan also discusses tools for actively managing emotions, like using music as an emotional shifter. He shares that while many people intuitively know music can change their mood, few actually use it effectively when they're feeling down. Ethan's insights are peppered with light humour and relatable examples, making this episode not only informative but engaging.
If you're curious about how to gain more control over your emotional responses and perhaps find some peace amidst life's chaos, this episode is definitely worth a listen.