In moments of conflict or hurt, impact matters more than intention. Your instinct might be to explain yourself (“I was just joking”), but jumping in too soon can dismiss the other person’s feelings—and make it harder for them to actually hear what you’re trying to say. Mental fitness and emotional intelligence start with learning to pause that impulse. By training your brain to regulate under pressure, you can shift from reactivity to repair in your relationships and other parts of life. 🎧 Tune into this episode: Cultivate Deeper Connections with Your Partner: Navigating the Complexities of Intimacy with Dr. James Cordova