Take the time to reflect on what situations or events cause you to make irrational decisions while trading. Reuters
Take the time to reflect on what situations or events cause you to make irrational decisions while trading. Reuters
Take the time to reflect on what situations or events cause you to make irrational decisions while trading. Reuters
Take the time to reflect on what situations or events cause you to make irrational decisions while trading. Reuters

Seven tips to help manage your emotions while trading


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Trading is not just about numbers and charts. It’s also about managing the emotional roller coaster that comes along with it.

As someone who has experienced the highs and lows of trading first-hand, I understand the importance of emotional resilience.

In this article, I will share seven tips to help you effectively manage your emotions while trading.

Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just getting started, these strategies can help you navigate the emotional challenges that can arise on your trading journey.

1. Plan ahead and strategise

Trading requires careful planning and preparation. Rather than making spontaneous decisions driven by panic, fear or the common fear of missing out, create a clear plan of action before entering into any trade.

You need to understand the thesis behind your trade; the “why” behind a decision. You also need to understand that it’s OK to be wrong.

Accepting that you are wrong (in either direction or timing) and moving on from that is a massive step forward in successful trading that most people simply will not adjust to.

You need to have a well-defined thesis of the reasons why you are entering into a trade (technical knowledge, fundamental understanding, your friend or someone you like on social media said so). And you need to know ahead of time how you’ll know if you are right or wrong.

A basic trading plan should include entry and exit points and risk management strategies.

2. Keep a trading journal

Maintaining a trading journal is an invaluable tool for self-awareness and improvement. Document your trades, strategies, successes and failures.

By reviewing past entries and getting into “why” you entered a trade, you can identify patterns, assess your emotional state in different market conditions and learn from your experiences.

This analysis will enhance your self-awareness and help you make more informed decisions based on lessons you have learnt.

Additionally, keeping a journal can serve as a source of motivation during challenging times, reminding you of your growth and resilience.

3. Identify your triggers

Understanding your personal triggers is key to managing emotions effectively.

For me, one of the biggest triggers is Fomo – fear of missing out. I love looking into the future, so any new shiny object or idea excites me. This has been both a blessing and a curse.

Take the time to reflect on what situations or events cause you to make irrational decisions while trading or investing. Is it market volatility, unexpected news, a potential breakout or something else?

Once you identify your triggers, you can develop strategies to mitigate their impact. This could involve implementing additional risk management measures or adjusting your trading strategy.

4. Assess your risk tolerance

Knowing your risk tolerance is crucial to maintain emotional balance while trading.

If your trades consistently push you beyond your comfort zone, this is likely to generate heightened emotional reactions.

Evaluate your risk tolerance and align your trading activities accordingly. Awareness of your limits will enable you to make more informed decisions and prevent emotional impulses from dictating your actions.

5. Embrace emotional resilience

In trading, losses are inevitable. What sets successful traders apart is their ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere.

Cultivate emotional resilience by acknowledging that losses are part of the game. Embrace a growth mindset and learn from your mistakes.

Developing emotional resilience will help you navigate the ups and downs of trading with confidence.

6. Use technology

In today’s digital age, trading platforms offer a range of tools and insights to aid your decision making.

Take advantage of these resources to enhance your trading experience.

7. Embrace continuous learning

The market is constantly evolving and traders must adapt to stay ahead.

Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and growth by analysing the notes you have made in your trading journal and make adjustments.

Ask yourself and industry experts questions, connect with fellow traders and expand your understanding.

Trading platforms offer a range of tools and insights to aid your decision making
Matthew Carstens,
director of product experience, amana

Continuous learning not only enhances your trading skills but also builds confidence and reduces anxiety and fear.

Stay updated on market trends, explore new strategies and be open to evolving your approach based on new insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power. Staying informed will help you to manage emotions more effectively.

Managing emotions in trading is a continuing journey. Embrace the process of self-reflection, plan and use technological advancements to support your trading decisions.

Remember, emotional mastery takes time and practice. With patience, perseverance and commitment to continuous learning, you can develop the emotional intelligence necessary to be successful in the dynamic world of trading.

Matthew Carstens is director of product experience at neo-broker amana

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Directed by: Michael Fimognari

Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo

Two stars

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Six large-scale objects on show
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  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
War 2

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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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5. Seeking The Soul

6. Pavel

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9. New Trails

10. Yoshida

11. K T Brave

12. Thunder Snow

13. Dolkong 

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon

- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.

50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater

1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.  

1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.

1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.

-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

While you're here
Updated: September 05, 2023, 3:59 AM`