For me it's trying to get to the bottom of the reason why I feel a certain way. If I manage to logic myself out of the initial heavy torrent of emotions I can usually talk myself down if I feel it's destructive.

So just thinking about those emotions but not in a way that amplifies them. If I'm angry at someone I would try not to think more reasons why what that person did is wrong but more in the direction of why do I feel angry for them doing that.

If I manage to see my state in such a objective manner I'm able to just decide to stop feeling this way. Often I realise that feeling those emotions, even the negative ones, just feels good and even though I can stop I prefer not too. But at least it's a choice.