Things happen at work that are upsetting. Thinking about them for the purpose of problem-solving or processing emotions makes sense. Beyond that, though, continuing to rehash negative topics, either mentally or verbally, only results in reigniting negative emotions. Although it's easier said than done, practice letting go of negative experiences and issues after you've done what you could about them.
You've had a long, stressful morning. But before you step into that meeting, you pause for just a minute and a half. By the time you open the door, you're calmer, lighter, and surprisingly, you're already changing the atmosphere inside. Sometimes we carry the weight of our moods into rooms, whether at home or work. This makes emotional self-regulation especially important in leadership, caregiving, and social settings.