Checking Your Attitude

January 27, 2012

Interview with Judith Orloff, author of the book Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life

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Mike Carruthers:
Because of the economic slump we are in, people seem to be more worried, cranky and upset.

Judith Orloff :
We're in the midst of an emotional meltdown and people are restless and volatile and our tempers are about to blow. But how can we take charge of our emotions instead of letting them run us?

Dr. Judith Orloff, author of the book Emotional Freedom... 

For instance I'm talking about using patience to transform frustration. So what I suggest people do is stand in the longest most irritating line possible. Instead of being pushy and snitty and irritable you let people go in front of you. And see what happens - they'll act like you gave them a million bucks.

And if you think about it you know how good you feel when you do something good for someone else.

When I get in a frustrated state or angry state the first thing I do is try to do something for somebody else - selfishly. Because I know that will make me feel better. That's very important even if you're not in the mood to do it - and I want to stress that. Just try it once see what happens. See how it makes you feel - and it's really amazing.

Another way to relive stress in trying times is to cut yourself some slack.

Because it's so much easier to be nice to someone else or have compassion for somebody else than it is for yourself. And I know that as a human being as a psychiatrist - I know that's human nature.