Name It to Tame It: How Identifying Emotions Supports Stress Management

We’ve all had moments when stress sneaks up on us. Our heart races, our thoughts scatter, and we snap at the smallest things. But often, what we call “stress” is actually a disguise for deeper emotions—fear, grief, anger, guilt, shame, or sadness. Learning to recognize and name those emotions is a powerful step toward managing them. This is the heart of the “Name it to tame it” approach.

When we accurately identify what we’re feeling, we move from reactivity to understanding. Neuroscience shows that naming emotions reduces activity in the amygdala—the brain’s alarm system—and increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for reasoning and problem-solving. In short, when we name our emotions, we begin to regulate them.

But what if we’ve learned to ignore or suppress how we feel?

That’s where Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) can make a profound difference.

Horses are highly attuned to emotional energy. They respond in real time to the congruence—or incongruence—between our inner world and outward behavior. If we show up smiling but feel anxious, a horse will often reflect the anxiety rather than the smile. Their honest feedback can help us pause, check in, and ask: What’s really going on inside me right now?

In a safe, nonjudgmental space, EAP helps people slow down, connect with their bodies, and become more aware of their internal landscape. The presence of a horse—a sentient, grounded being—can be calming and supportive, inviting emotions to rise gently to the surface where they can be named and worked with.

Stress management begins with self-awareness. Whether it’s through quiet reflection, journaling, or interacting with animals in nature, we can all benefit from taking the time to name our feelings. Because when we name it, we can tame it—and begin the process of true healing.