Why is emotional regulation important?
Emotions play a crucial role in our lives, stemming from our evolutionary past (Levenson, 1999). How we perceive and manage our emotions impacts our thinking, decision-making, and behaviour on a daily basis. People with poor emotion regulation skills are more susceptible to mood swings, leading to erratic actions and behaviours dictated by their emotions. Conversely, those who are adept at regulating their emotions maintain a better balance and exercise sound judgement in their actions. Emotional regulation enables us to discern which emotional responses to embrace and which to avoid (Wegner, Erber, & Zanakos, 1993).
When faced with a triggering situation, the brain typically activates the amygdala, which controls fight-or-flight responses (Lee, 2018; Van der Kolk, 1994). Emotional regulation processes provide us with the ability to pause and assess before reacting to such stimuli.
How would I benefit from improving my emotional regulation skills?
The benefits of improved emotional regulation can be significant. Personally, you may experience reduced levels of stress, increased resilience, and improved overall wellbeing. You may also see improvements in your relationships, as better emotional regulation can lead to more effective communication and conflict resolution.
Professionally, those with strong emotional regulation skills may experience greater job satisfaction, improved performance, and enhanced leadership capabilities. They may also be better equipped to handle challenging situations, navigate workplace dynamics, and build positive working relationships with colleagues and clients.
Improving emotional regulation skills can therefore lead to a happier, more successful, and fulfilling life both personally and professionally.
How can coaching help?
Depending on your individual goals, coaching may help in a number of ways. Coaching can facilitate awareness by helping you to recognise your emotions and the factors influencing them. It can support you in making constructive changes in your environment and can offer practical, evidence-based tools and strategies to help you manage your emotions more effectively. Finally, coaching can provide accountability and support you in staying motivated to become the person you want to be.