Next time you find yourself in a bad or stressful situation, try imagining a better one.

Researchers say that thinking about your future self in a positive way can actually help you in the moment deal with negative emotions.

For a closer look, KCBS Radio's Holly Quan spoke with Emily Willroth, assistant professor in Psychological and Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. She also authored a previous study looking at the effects of temporal distancing.