4 Steps to Fighting Frustration

Step 2. Identify the thought.
Thoughts feed our emotions, so the next time you find yourself getting worked up, try to trace it back to the triggering thought of, “I don’t have everything I need.” Think of the feelings of getting worked up as your thoughts waving a red flag. “There’s no way to have that emotion without having some form of the thought,” says Dr Shatté.

Step 3. Do the “spit test.”
There are two parts to this test. First, gather up saliva in your mouth and then swallow. Okay now, gather up saliva and then spit it into a glass, swirl it around, and then think of drinking it. “They’re not the same, right?” he smiles.