How to Develop Self Regulation and Reasons Why It Is Important

Illustration of how to develop and why self-regulation is important (Freepik/wayhomestudio)

YOGYAKARTA – Self-regulation is the ability to control one's behavior, emotions, and thoughts in pursuing long-term goals. Also known as self-regulation refers to the ability to manage disturbing emotions and urges.

Self-regulation is also related to how a person's ability to recover from disappointment and act consistently based on the values ​​held. Well, someone who has emotional intelligence, also has good self-regulation abilities.

How to develop self-regulation

The ability to regulate or self-regulate is rooted in childhood. In an ideal situation, a throwing tantrum toddler grows up to be a child who learns to tolerate feelings of discomfort without throwing tantrums and more in control of urges to act on uncomfortable feelings. A mature person reflects the ability to face emotional, social, and cognitive threats in the environment with patience and caution.

Illustration of how to develop self-regulation (Freepik/rawpixel.com)

According to mindfulness expert, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. reported by VerywellHealth, Tuesday, August 15, with mindfulness we can raise awareness to pay attention to the current situation without judgment. To develop self-regulation, you can do a variety of ways. Among them are focused, grateful, and mindfulness breathing exercises that allow us to put distance between ourselves and our reactions. That way, the focus will be directed, feeling calm, and relaxed.

In addition to the methods above, developing self-regulation can be done by cognitive reframing. Strategies that change this mindset, assess or reinterpret situations to change emotional responses to them.

Researchers found cognitive reappraisal was associated with positive everyday emotions, including feelings of enthusiasm, happiness, satisfaction and joy. The third way of developing self-regulation is by accepting and solving problems. Experts suggest, it is better not to avoid, emphasize, and worry about problems but accept so that they can solve problems in a focused manner.

The reasons why self-regulation is important

Someone who has the ability of self-regulation, involves a pause between feelings and actions. They take their time to think things through, make plans, and wait patiently.

Illustration of the reasons why self-regulation is important (Freepik/KamranAydinov)

Someone who has the ability to self-regulate, can calm down when upset, console themselves when they feel down, communicate openly, survive through difficult times, act according to their values, and are able to adapt to situations. At its most basic, self-regulation allows one to become more resilient and rise from failure while remaining calm under pressure.