The concept of emotional regulation
The concept of emotional regulation, which is a crucial skill for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.
Emotional regulation is the ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience. It’s about having a bit of control over your emotions rather than feeling like they’re controlling you. Think of it as being the captain of your emotional ship, steering it through both calm and stormy waters.
Here’s a breakdown of what emotional regulation involves:
1
Awareness
The first step is recognising and understanding your emotions. It’s about being able to say, “Blimey, I’m feeling really anxious right now” or “I’m proper chuffed about this”.
2
Acceptance
This involves acknowledging that all emotions, even uncomfortable ones, are valid and serve a purpose. It’s not about suppressing feelings, but rather accepting them without judgement.
3
Modulation
This is the ability to adjust the intensity of an emotion. It doesn’t mean switching off your feelings, but rather turning down the volume when they’re too intense or unhelpful.
4
Expression
Healthy emotional regulation involves expressing emotions in appropriate ways. It’s the difference between calmly explaining that you’re cheesed off, versus flying off the handle.
5
Timing
This involves managing when and where you express your emotions. For instance, you might feel like shouting at your boss, but you regulate that impulse and wait to vent to a mate at the pub later.