Emotional self-regulation is the ability to control and redirect our emotions. It is a key component of our emotional intelligence and our overall mental and emotional well-being. Since we don’t get to choose all the thoughts and emotions that show up for us, learning how to work with our emotions as allies and finding healthy and productive ways to manage and express them is where our true power lies.

In our busy lives, moving on autopilot can hinder our ability to tune into our emotions. Often, when we pause long enough, we’re hit with a wave of emotions. It can be easier to keep going than to face any uncomfortable feelings. However, leaving emotions unaddressed can lead to dysregulation; the more we try to ignore them, the louder they become. To regulate our emotions, we need to be present with what we feel, allow our emotions to exist without judgment, and get curious about what they may be trying to tell us. In my previous post, I shared some more strategies that can help us improve our emotional self-awareness.

Setting the intention to check in with ourselves can allow us to direct more of our energy towards moving in the direction of how we want to feel and shift from a place of being dysregulated and reactive to one of being regulated and responsive.

1. Find your glimmers. While emotional triggers are commonly recognized, I believe that fewer people have been taught to embrace the glimmers. The term “glimmer” was introduced by licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana in her book Polyvagal Theory in Therapy.........

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