Just Had An Upsetting Experience? Here Is What To Do Next!

You’ve just had an upsetting experience.  You know that you need to shake it off and not drown in it. How do you reset emotionally and turn the page?

According to research in the journal, Cognition and Emotion (Bernstein and McNally, 2016), 30 minutes of moderate exercise should do the trick.

To test this theory, researchers had study participants engage in 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise before being instructed to watch a sad movie.

Results showed that the sad film made all participants feel worse but the group that engaged in aerobic exercise beforehand were able to regulate their emotions quicker. Theoretically speaking, this strategy should help you to better manage your emotions after an upsetting event has occurred.

Takeaway Message

If you experience an upsetting event, get moving as soon as possible. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise can help you to regulate your emotions more quickly.

Bonus Tip

If you are unable to exercise (e.g., you are at work when it happens, etc.), 5 -10 minutes of mindfulness would be a great alternative.