The study, which had participants address problems to themselves in either the first or third person, found that those who referred to themselves in the third person were able distance themselves from their problems enough to calm down.

"If this ends up being true -- we won't know until more research is done -- there are lots of important implications these findings have for our basic understanding of how self-control works, and for how to help people control their emotions in daily life," said Kross.

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