Emotion regulation
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Emotion regulation
idea
The best way to exercise self-control is not to exercise it at all
Accept it: your self-control is weak. You’re more likely to reach long-term goals if you find ways to avoid temptation
by Laverl Z Williamson
![Bronze bust of a bearded man with curly hair, likely an ancient artefact, on a black background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/9fda9c4c-3492-4594-90e1-bb1cd9878e9b/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Emotion regulation
idea
The Stoics were right – emotional control is good for the soul
Both neuroscience and psychotherapy agree that you can change your mental framework as the Stoic Marcus Aurelius described
by István Darabán
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Focus and attention
guide
How to be indistractable
Stop blaming technology – distraction starts within. Manage your inner triggers to enjoy greater focus and a fuller life
by Nir Eyal
![Close-up of a Renaissance painting showing a man’s face with curly hair, detailed skin texture, and a thoughtful expression against a dark background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/29626a9b-0595-4104-b7c3-406d50a3359e/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Emotion regulation
idea
Asking one simple question can entirely change how you feel
Positive and negative emotions respond differently to ‘affect labelling’ – the act of giving a name to your feelings
by Christian Waugh
![View from inside a bakery window showing blurred people outside, cars, and pastries in the foreground.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/5f9438b6-bedd-408e-9995-004f540bca09/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Mental health
idea
The brain’s reading of the body’s state is key to mental health
The neural basis of ‘interoception’ – the interpretation of bodily signals – is affected in many mental health conditions
by Camilla Nord
![A woman leans against a red column on a train platform, with a moving train blurred in the background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/ffd18bb8-e4c0-447b-8da9-33f81c34946b/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Goals and motivation
guide
How to know what you really want
From career choices to new purchases, use René Girard’s mimetic theory to resist the herd and forge your own path in life
by Luke Burgis
![A man sits on grass in a park with others around and a bridge in the background on a sunny day.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/46d285d3-2a02-48d9-8b57-b061f66f8ed7/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Thinking and intelligence
idea
Being alone with your thoughts is a skill you can practise
People go to extreme lengths to avoid time with their own thoughts. We’ve found some ways to make it more pleasurable
by Rémy Furrer
![A young girl in a red coat holds her mother’s hand while glancing into crates and boxes containing goods in a food bank.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/bd132127-c7c2-4f5e-a817-7e9a7f99eee6/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Socioeconomics of mental health
idea
Why we shouldn’t push a positive mindset on those in poverty
Living in poverty is not caused by a faulty mindset, it’s a response to scarcity and marginalisation
by Jennifer Sheehy-Skeffington
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/f50539b8-4dee-42fd-8bb9-cd9a0a010920/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Difficult emotions
guide
How to calm your inner storm
When your emotions become too painful and overwhelming, regain control using skills from dialectical behaviour therapy
by Sheri Van Dijk