So that traders do not feel sad. How to overcome frustration

Our desires do not always match reality. When this happens in the stock market, it can be especially painful. We explain what frustration is, why it is dangerous, and how to combat this state.

What is this about

Frustration is a psychological state that a person experiences when they cannot satisfy their desires and needs. It arises in situations where the necessity to fulfill their requests collides with difficult or even insurmountable circumstances. As a result, people experience disappointment and other associated feelings.

Let's take an example from everyday life. For instance, you decided to buy a magnificent jacket you've dreamed of for a long time. However, it is sold only in one store. You've already imagined how you will look in it, you went to make the purchase and discovered... that it has been sold. This was the last batch, you won't find such a jacket again.

What does a person experience at this moment? Anger, disappointment, resentment, irritation, etc. All these emotions are frustration.

Traders constantly face such situations in the market. The thing is that these people tend to want what they desire here and now. 'I will invest money quickly, earn quickly, and become successful,' many think. However, this doesn’t always happen because events often arise that can disrupt plans. The release of negative news, issuer reports, a series of losing trades—situations like these can destroy a trader's hopes and cause frustration.

Is frustration dangerous?

It is important to understand that frustration is not a single emotion but a combination of several of them. This state can ultimately lead to a number of not only psychological but also physiological problems.

Psychologist Dan Brennan identified some typical reactions of a person in a state of frustration:

• nervous unnatural movements of the body, such as constant sighs or finger tapping
• the desire to give up and leave
• sadness and constant anxiety
• lack of self-confidence
• turning to harmful habits
• sleep problems
• violence against one's body: starvation, overeating, etc.

It is clear that trading is an extremely emotional activity, where a person's state directly affects the outcome. Therefore, prolonged frustration can lead to real losses for a trader, and also to depression or other psychological problems.

How to cope—5 simple tips for traders

There is no universal 'cure' for frustration. Here, each person must figure themselves out to understand how to overcome this state. After all, the reasons can be different: for some, it may be inflated ambitions, for others—on the contrary, a lack of self-confidence.

Here are a few simple tips that can help you get out of this state, whether it concerns trading or working in the market in general:

• Assess the situation soberly. There's no need for emotions to take over and influence your actions. Push them aside and view what’s happening adequately. This will help avoid unnecessary actions.

Read also: Tilt in trading. When there is no strength to stop in time

• Work on your self-esteem. It should be normal, not low and not inflated. To achieve this, you need to find a middle ground.

• Enhance your professionalism. To be successful in your field (not only in trading), you must constantly learn and discover something new.

• Get a grip on yourself. We all can lose our temper sometimes. That's normal. But it's important to be able to quickly return to reality.

• Don't let mistakes break you. Remember—everyone makes mistakes. The main thing is to draw conclusions and move forward.

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