Regulation is the process of adjusting activity, attention or intensity so you can remain involved in what you’re doing. In this glossary, the context may be emotional, bodily or behavioural.
It doesn’t mean being calm at all times. Excitement, grief and anger don’t become failures because they have energy.
What would help you stay here without overruling yourself?
More time? Less noise? A smaller step? Food? A person who can listen? A pause before answering?
The useful adjustment depends on the situation. A word such as regulation shouldn’t make ordinary needs disappear behind technical language.
I AWAKE’s guided practices invite bodily attention alongside thought and feeling. You can notice what helps you participate, and choose to stop when a private exercise isn’t the right support.
Regulation isn’t a way of proving that a difficult concern was imaginary. It can give you more room to consider what the concern actually needs.
State describes your present condition. Emotional regulation looks more specifically at your relationship with emotion and how you respond to it.
Noba’s Self-Regulation and Conscientiousness explains self-regulation in relation to behaviour and goals. It is a defined psychological account within the broader everyday uses of the word regulation.