Opposites

Opposite Action is a Dialectical Behavior Tool (DBT) that allows you to choose to respond opposite from what your emotions are telling you to do, or your biological response would activate you to do. And, yes, it does sound a bit counterintuitive, thus the word ‘opposite.’

In the case of emotions, our urges (what we feel like doing in a situation) don’t always suit the situation we find ourselves in. Think: I have not put in enough hours on that work thing-y due in two days. Which leads to an urge to pull an all-nighter…or two. Hello, pure exhaustion.

But in this case, maybe an opposite action (i.e., A good night’s rest) will reduce or eliminate the anxiety, allowing for greater productivity in the waking hours you do have.

Opposite action is a way to relieve emotional tension in a way that is aligned with your goal. So, the next time the urge hits you to compensate or over-compensate for a previous action, remember this is absolutely a normal response. And you get to decide if opposite action is the way to move you through the anxiety, fear, boredom, sadness, loneliness, etc.