How to 'shift' your emotions

This episode of Life Kit explores strategies for managing and shifting emotions, emphasizing that all emotions provide useful information. Psychology professor Ethan Kross, author of "Shift," debunks the myth of universal approach, suggesting that avoiding or distracting oneself from emotions can be beneficial for gaining clarity. Kross introduces a framework for deciding when to approach or avoid an emotion, and cautions against unhealthy avoidance tactics. The discussion highlights the importance of reframing conversations with friends, changing one's environment to foster desired feelings, and leveraging social comparison constructively. The W.O.O.P. tool (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) is presented as a method for achieving emotional regulation goals by creating specific if-then plans.