One of the most important life skills is emotion regulation (ER). Research has shown that the ability to identify and regulate emotional responses in different situations is fundamental to individual physical and mental health and well-being, as well as caring and effective interpersonal relationships.
However, ER is NOT a core skill taught in our educational system. Thus, individuals and groups are often unaware of the wide array of ER techniques and how they may be adaptive and maladaptive in different contexts. For example, sharing and showing one’s emotions can be a way to invite and support openness and connection between people, especially when the intention is to build trust. But some people by default focus on suppressing emotional expression, while others may overpower others with their own emotional intensity. Hence, understanding and refining one’s ability to feel deeply and accurately, not overwhelm others, and skillfully modulate emotions is essential for intra- and inter-personal functioning in dyads, small groups, and larger organizations. This is why informed and caring leaders often invite training for their organization that highlights implementing different ER techniques and learning about their effects on oneself and others.
In brief, there is much evidence that repeated use of repressing feeling emotions and suppressing emotional expression and emotional avoidance can lead to poorer outcomes, sustained negative emotions, and disconnection from others. In contrast, more adaptive forms of ER like cognitive reappraisal, attention reallocation, and acceptance can be used to modify our relationship to emotional triggers, harmful thinking habits, and misinterpretations. Hence, it behooves us to learn more about how to apply ER techniques in our daily life in ways that support approaching (rather than avoiding) others, strengthening psychological flexibility and scaffolding robust self-confidence and self-efficacy.
I suggest these resources for a quick introduction to ER
Fun cartoon for youth – https://www.ted.com/talks/ted_ed_how_to_manage_your_emotions?language=en
The brain basis for emotions – https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_feldman_barrett_you_aren_t_at_the_mercy_of_your_emotions_your_brain_creates_them?language=en
– Dr. Philippe Goldin
Augment Me
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