The Verywell Mind Podcast How to Reduce Uncomfortable Feelings So You Can Think Clearly By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 19, 2021 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 123 More About the Podcast Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Friday Fix: Episode 123 As your emotions go up, your ability to think clearly goes down. That’s why you might say or do things you later regret when you feel angry. And it’s also why you might reach for an unhealthy coping skill to get immediate relief when your anxiety skyrockets. Uncomfortable emotions, like anxiety, embarrassment, sadness, and anger, can be tough to tolerate. And if we’re not careful, those emotions can lead to poor decisions if we don’t manage them well. We all have certain things we do to cope with uncomfortable emotions. You might pick up your phone to ward off boredom. Or you might eat when you feel lonely. Sometimes, the coping skills we use work well in the moment; they reduce the intensity of our feelings. But, those same coping skills can easily introduce bigger problems into our lives. It’s important to evaluate your coping skills every once in a while and make sure you’re using healthy strategies to deal with uncomfortable emotions. From drawing to running, there are many healthy ways you can manage your emotions. The goal isn’t to make uncomfortable emotions go away altogether though. The goal is to reduce them enough that you can think clearly. Then, you can make healthier decisions for yourself. On today’s Friday Fix, I explain how to identify your current coping skills and I outline healthy coping strategies you can start experimenting with. Healthy Coping Skills for Uncomfortable Emotions More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Download the Transcript Links and Resources Follow Amy Morin on Instagram. Check out Amy’s books on mental strength. Watch Amy’s TEDx Talk The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong What Is Emotional Wellness? What Is Anger Management Therapy? If You Liked This Episode You Might Also Like These Episodes: How to Detox Your Thoughts With Psychologist Andrea Bonior Friday Fix: The First Step to Taming Your Anxiety Friday Fix: How to Stop Sabotaging Yourself How to Deal With Emotional Stress in Your Life By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.