Emotional Regulation: Theory and practice

Emotional regulation is a skill that is needed for every experience and interaction. Emotional activation enables us to express and process how we feel. By understanding how emotions work and by using adaptive emotional regulation strategies, we can keep our emotions regulated, as well as regulate recurring emotions. After acknowledging and observing the body sensations of an emotion non-judgementally for ~1.5 minutes, it has been processed and begins to dissolve. Suppressed emotions can be regulated through practices like mindfulness, compassion, sublimation and various others. The practices mutually and consecutively enhance one another. These practices help us to improve our emotional regulation abilities – most importantly – being aware of and observing body sensations of emotions, without reacting to them, as well as not engaging intrusive thoughts.