Page 94 - How to Shine on Stage

Performers regulate their emotions differently; some respond rig-
idly and inflexibly, often maladaptively, while others manage to devel-
op more sophisticated methods of adaptation (Hollenstein et al., 2013).
Effective emotion regulation results from an interaction between strate-
gy-situation-personality patterns (Kobylinska & Kusev, 2019).

2.2.3.3 Emotion Regulation Strategies
92 There is a large body of research confirming the usefulness of a variety
of pre-performance emotion regulation strategies. Although all of these
strategies are undoubtedly useful and practical, a problem arises when
we need to choose the most suitable regulation strategy (Gross, 2015;
Ochsner et al., 2012).
How to Shine on Stage group which might benefit from the strategy or on a specific situation in
Most scientific studies on emotion regulation focus on a specific age

which the strategy works best (Webb et al., 2012). There is not much dis-
cussion on proven methods to always tame our emotions. Contemporary
researchers agree that emotion regulation should not be limited to a spe-
cific time frame or set of individuals in particular circumstances, and
have therefore proposed some strategies that could be universally appli-
cable (Aldao, 2013; Gross, 2015).

Cognitive Reappraisal
Cognitive reappraisal provides long-term well-being and offers a lasting
solution to emotional distress. Reappraisal is not intended to suppress
or eliminate negative emotions, but rather to seek better ways of cop-
ing with them (Davis et al., 2010). Cognitive reframing diverts our atten-
tion from our distress, thereby reducing the impact of negative emotions
(Troy et al., 2013).

Self-Soothing
Any form of self-soothing can reduce the toxic effects of fear, anger, and
sadness brought on by negative experiences (Heiy & Cheavens, 2014).
Scientists maintain that self-soothing, as opposed to self-confrontation,
provides better and faster containment of emotions.

Attention Control
A performer can use attention control to shift their attention away from
negative emotions, which enables them to see these emotions from a
rewarding perspective. The performer focuses on what they are gain-