5 Steps to Develop and Practice Emotion Regulation

Learning to self-regulate helps us to think before we act. It helps us to identify and manage reactive responses and impulses and rebound back from disappointment in alignment with our held values. 

Self-regulation is the ability to recognize and control our emotions, behavior, and thoughts, so we’re more grounded in the moment. 

Essentially, self-regulation is pausing a feeling and action.

Our childhood plays a role in how we self-regulate as adults so learning to self-regulate as a child is ideal. Yet, we can learn self-regulation as adults, as well. 

Responding to stress in a healthy way is a learned behavior. And while regulating our emotional reactions takes time, by using this guide—paired with practice—responding intentionally will become second nature.