Emočný tréning: Naučte sa rozvíjať 7 kľúčových vlastností emocionálnej zdatnosti

by Emily Anhalt, Ivana Krekáňová (Translator)

Staňte sa lepšími ľuďmi! Sedem krokov k emocionálnej zdatnosti.

Pracovať na svojej fyzickej kondícii je pre nás samozrejmé, ale pokiaľ ide o emocionálne zdravie, mnohí z nás ho nechávajú na náhodu. Čo keby sme mohli vytrénovať aj svoju myseľ a dosiahnuť tak spokojnosť a úspech? To je prísľub knihy Emočný tréning, ktorá vás krok za krokom prevedie rozvojom siedmich základných vlastností emocionálnej zdatnosti potrebných na to, aby ste sa stali lepšími lídrami, podnikateľmi a ľuďmi.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help, Relationships, Personal Growth

304 pages, Hardcover

Published November 14, 2025

Reviews

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I requested this book, it was mostly because I've been a student of psychology most of my life; so much so, in fact, that my undergraduate degree is in the I subject. Little did I know, however, that the direction my life would take at the time I started to read it would bring a few much-appreciated insights. Those life events, alas, also meant I was late in finishing and reviewing the book - a pre-release copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, for which I'm thankful (and very apologetic). But now I've finished and, with a little help from the book, I'm working to get my personal life back in order once again.

For openers, while it's easy to read, this isn't what I call a "pop-psych" book; you won't find cognitive distortions like "stinking thinking" or "analysis paralysis" (although I'll give the author, a clinical psychologist, points for tidbits like, "You only need to get up one more time than you fail"). Rather, she outlines seven steps for achieving emotional fitness: mindfulness, curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, empaathy, communication and playfulness. And she follows that up with a discussion of why we need to get better at each and presents specific steps for getting there.

That doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park. As she puts it, "Every single thing you want in your work and personal lives lives on the other side of discomfort." Examples taken from her personal experiences as a therapist are helpful, and exercises make it easier to put the suggestions to work in your own life so you can become, as the book description suggests, the best leader, entrepreneur and human you can be. At the end are resources like related books and the author's sources that back up what's in each chapter. I certainly learned from it, and I'm sure other readers will as well.

[Gary Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is emotional fitness explained in a way that even skeptics will appreciate.

[Chloe Voorheis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Flex Your Feelings” by Dr. Emily Anhalt is an effective tool for anyone looking to better understand themselves, and discovering more about your emotions. Dr. Anhalt's philosophy that you can work your emotional muscles like you work your physical muscles is a clever insight to how we can strengthen our emotions to be our best selves. Like physical exercise and training, there is no quick fix to becoming more emotionally intelligent. It’s something you have to practice and learn everyday.
Dr. Anhalt identifies seven traits for strengthening your emotional fitness. They are mindfulness, curiosity, self awareness, resilience, empathy, communication, and playfulness. For each trait she shares her personal experiences with her clients who were struggling particularly with that trait. She communicates simply how we as humans can be unaware that these emotions are hindering us to excel in our personal and professional lives. For each trait she gives her readers a “push up”, which is essentially a small exercise designed to help strengthen that particular emotional muscle.

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. Not only did I learn more about my own emotions, but I have an eye opening realization of how I can go about making changes to better my emotional state when I’m stressed, or upset.
I enjoy the playful comparisons Dr. Anhalt makes with emotional fitness and physical fitness. Both relatable and innovative.

I would recommend this book to anyone! Whether you are looking to be more emotionally fit, or just want a better relationship with yourself and others around you. “ Flex Your Feelings” will give you the confidence to be your strongest self.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

[Ann Knuttila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Emily Anahlt is going to be the keynote speaker at the BWC annual event this year, which is why I read this book. I am so glad I did! This book is all about working on yourself in the workplace. It was a fast-paced read with easy to follow actionable steps to improve your mental health as a leader, entrepreneur and human. I took away so many little nuggets that I've already started implementing. Highly recommend!

[Tiago Bandeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Flex Your Feelings felt like a conversation with a wise friend who gently encourages you to take better care of your emotional health. The way the author breaks down the 7 traits of emotional fitness is incredibly relatable and easy to understand. It’s the perfect blend of scientific knowledge and real-life applications. After finishing, I found myself more resilient in difficult situations and better able to process my emotions without feeling overwhelmed. This book has changed the way I view emotional growth.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jam-packed with relatable stories, digestible insights, and invaluable action items, Flex Your Feelings is a standout in the emotional intelligence space. Dr. Anhalt’s narration brings warmth and clarity to the audiobook, leaving me genuinely motivated to level up my emotional fitness. I shared it with my entire company the moment I finished. This one earns a place on the shelf alongside Atomic Habits, Dare to Lead, Radical Candor, and Grit.

[Simone Stolzoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! Practical, approachable with just the right amount of anecdotes and patient stories to keep me turning the page. If you liked Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, you’ll love Flex Your Feelings!

[Sarah Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Dr. Emily Anhalt since I came across her work on Twitter, and learned more about her through different groups and teachings she's offered. The work on emotions, emotional agility and flexibility, and strengthening your ability to navigate FEELINGS is so deeply needed. I hope that everyone gets a chance to encounter this work and help share it widely!

Feelings matter so much. But dealing with them? SO HARD.

Dr. Emily Anhalt helps us deal with feelings and get *emotionally* stronger. It's wild that we teach push-ups in schools but we still don't teach the ins and outs of how to deal with our emotional landscapes.

We know about physical exercise. But strengthening our emotional capacity? That's next level.

[Alissa Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author. Very knowledgeable and accessible. Love her concept of emotional pushups

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It helped me rethink how I show up for my team and for myself.

[Adam W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flex Your Feelings is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. You pick it up to support a friend, and by page three you’re highlighting lines and quietly rethinking how you relate to your emotions.

Emily writes with clarity, warmth, and an honesty that makes the science land and the stories resonate. As a coach, I’ve read a lot of books in this space—but few have hit me this personally. It gave me language, tools, and real permission to stop “toughing it out” and start tuning in.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally foggy, or like your feelings were getting in the way—this book flips the script. Your emotions aren’t obstacles, they’re signals.

Thank you, Emily, for writing the book we all needed. This is one I’ll be recommending for a long time.

[Vbj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter felt like a little mirror. Sometimes flattering, sometimes honest, always helpful.

[dan king · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this book breaks down the concepts of seven traits of emotional fitness from personal relationships to professional leadership contexts. The examples throughout the book helped me recognize patterns in my own behavior and provided a clear pathway for growth. I really appreciated the way Dr. Anhalt balances psychological insights with strategies that are easy to put into action.

I’d definitely recommend this book for anyone looking to improve their leadership capabilities or improve their personal relationships.

[James Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flex Your Feelings is a refreshingly practical and science-informed guide to building emotional intelligence like a muscle: something to be trained, not just understood. Dr. Emily Anhalt distils deep psychological insight into a clear 7-step plan that feels both doable and impactful, whether you're leading a team, navigating relationships, or simply trying to manage the mental load of everyday life. A standout for anyone serious about sustainable performance and wellbeing.

[Juliana Tichota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always struggled with emotional overwhelm, and this book gave me the permission and guidance to embrace my emotions without judgment. The practical tips helped me understand how emotional fitness is like working out...it’s a skill you build with practice. I love that the author combines humor with real insights, making this a book you not only read but also actively use in daily life. If you want to stop running from your feelings and start embracing them, this is the book for you.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the thoughtful and practical insight that Dr. Anhalt brought to this book! It brings actionable and accessible ways to do the hard work of creating daily exercises that help instill lasting and positive changes for your mental health. I highly recommend giving it a read.

[Erin Samueli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts science and soul. That’s a rare combo, and it works.

[Doug Siebum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! It provides valuable insight and tips that you can apply to your life today.

[Grokjes · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved it! Dr Anhalt is a genius and I love her approach - it makes working on your mental health SO much less daunting. def recommend.

[Danny Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book! You exercise your body, now exercise your mind/emotions! Helpful for anyone interested in have better relationships with others and yourself.

[Jason Milen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a self-help book, it’s an experience. I laughed, I reflected, and I finished it feeling better equipped to handle life.

[Anna Goldfarb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s practical without being preachy, deep without being heavy. Loved it!

[ReadOrBeRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

An actual game-changer of a book.

I picked up Flex Your Feelings expecting another self-help book with recycled advice, and ended up with countless highlighted ideas and notes in margins. This book is smart, honest, and genuinely useful.

My favorite thing about it: the mix of thought-provoking ideas, and actual tools for how to make change. The author calls the exercises "emotional pushups" and they're short, thoughtful ways to "flex your emotional muscles." I’ve already added a few into my daily routine, and I can see what the author means about small gains eventually leading to big change.

The tone is warm and encouraging without being fluffy, and the author clearly understands what it’s like to navigate stress, self-doubt, and messy emotions, especially if you're a success and growth-oriented person.

If you’ve ever wanted a guide to help you strengthen your emotional muscles (without needing to meditate on a mountaintop), this is it. Highly recommend.

[Yishai Manischewitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Anhalt’s Flex Your Feelings shines as a vibrant master-class in emotional literacy, channeling her clinical expertise into an engaging roadmap for everyday resilience. Many readers will recognize her from the clear, compassionate psychoeducation she shares on Instagram and TikTok, and that same warmth radiates through every page. Each chapter blends research-backed insights with instantly usable exercises, making even complex psychological concepts feel refreshingly accessible. The result is a wholehearted celebration of feeling work that leaves you empowered to meet life’s ups and downs with curiosity, courage, and genuine confidence. Highly recommended!

[Favian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've appreciated Dr. Emily Anhalt's work ever since I took her courses on LinkedIn Learning. Naturally, this book lived up to the billing as the lessons here are closely aligned to those virtual modules. The book covers the building blocks of emotional fitness, namely:

1. Mindfulness
2. Curiosity
3. Self-Awareness
4. Resilience
5. Empathy
6. Communication
7. Playfulness

Flex Your Feelings is filled with raw and in-depth conversations with clients that helped her have a deeper appreciation of the different forces at work when it comes to understanding, discovering, and regulating emotions.

[Autumn Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flex Your Feelings frames emotional well-being as something you actively build, not something you only pay attention to when you’re already burned out.

What really worked for me is how practical and approachable it is. The book breaks emotional fitness down into things you can actually practice, especially during periods of uncertainty, disconnection, or loneliness. It’s less about “fixing” yourself and more about understanding how to work with your emotions in a more intentional way.

Thought-provoking without being heavy, and genuinely useful. A solid read if you want tools that feel realistic and applicable to real life.

[Caitlyn Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative & enlightening book on the concept of emotional fitness. We spend so much time focusing on & working on our physical fitness, but often neglect our emotional fitness (which is just as important & is also directly related to physical fitness). This book breaks down the 7 traits of emotional fitness: mindfulness, curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, empathy, communication, & playfulness. It explains each, gives real life examples, & also provides practical “push-ups” or ways to practice/apply them in your life.

[Brittany Lannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flex Your Feelings offers so much more than a quick fix for your emotions. It provides a roadmap for developing emotional agility over time. I love that the author doesn’t just talk about how to manage emotions, but also about how to embrace them as part of a balanced, healthy life. Each chapter gives you actionable steps, and I found myself applying these lessons immediately. Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, career, or personal growth, this book gives you the tools to start today. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to feel more in control of their emotional health.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Dr. Emily Anhalt through podcasts and other media for a while now, so I was STOKED to see that she wrote a book! Small gains eventually lead to significant change. We know this through books like Atomic Habits, but applying it to our emotions is an absolute game-changer. I don't feel that Flex Your Feeling is preachy or too self-helpy, I just felt like I was getting to know myself better and learning the right vocabulary to talk about my everyday feels.

Highly recommend to anyone!

[Emily (emsalwaysreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for those both new to mental and emotional health and experts alike. What if we trained our minds like we trained our bodies? I have already recommended to a few clients and know that I will be using the principles listened in this book within my own practice. If you are looking for a digestible book regarding emotional fitness, this is a great one! Thanks to @prhaudio for the free audiobook!