Surfing (and managing) our emotions

WSJ book review

The book

Excerpt: "Mr. Kross takes readers through recent research in the neuroscience of emotion, as well as a number of engaging case studies. And, with an amiable, can-do air, he offers a range of strategies to help manage emotions: They can be as simple as putting on a favorite song to alter your mood. “No judgment, please,” he quips after revealing that he likes to sing along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” 

He also recommends “distanced self-talk”—addressing yourself in the second person to coach yourself through times of stress as you would coach a friend. Novak Djokovic apparently turned around a dismal 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinals performance by requesting a break midmatch, facing himself in the mirror and saying, “You can do it.” Mr. Kross insists that subtle changes in perspective—in this case saying “you” instead of “I”—can yield meaningful results. After his self-administered pep talk, Mr. Djokovic went on to win the match and, ultimately, the men’s title."