Self-Compassion:
The Key to Building Good Emotional Regulation
Joy. Guilt. Sadness. Anxiety. Fear. Excitement. Emotions are a part of everyday life and come in all shapes and sizes. You'd feel frustrated when stuck in traffic and happy when you meet a loved one immediately after. Emotions can vary greatly; while others may get stuck in negative emotions, others often experience more volatile emotions.
Individuals who experience intense emotions may find themselves calm in one moment and angry in the next. The good news is there are exciting techniques you can leverage to work through your feelings, such as self-compassion. Let's face it: difficult emotions will arise. However, using self-compassion to regulate your emotions will help you move forward confidently.
Here's all you need to know about emotional regulation and using self-compassion as a helpful tool to control your emotions:
What is emotional regulation?
Emotional regulation involves monitoring, tempering, and controlling emotional reactions through various approaches. Some people may be better at it than others. It may seem that they're just "naturally calm," but they also experience negative feelings. They've acquired a high emotional intelligence that allows them to control their reactions better. And the good news is emotional regulation isn't a static trait. Anyone can learn and improve it over time.
How self-compassion fosters a positive mindset
Many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. While many are accustomed to showing compassion to others, showing it to themselves can be a foreign premise. They may be quick to reassure a friend, but it is often challenging to offer the same awareness, perception, and compassion to themselves.
Typically, self-compassion entails treating yourself with kindness while maintaining a balanced perspective on your experiences and relations with others. Instead of beating yourself up about a failed venture, recognize that life is full of ups and downs. Self-compassion helps you realize you're human and that some things are above your control. This skill allows you better regulate your emotions, improves your self-worth, increases motivation, and drives better performance. All these facets are crucial for a positive mindset toward yourself and life
Your guide to self-compassion skills
Self-compassion is all about being kind to yourself, and these skills will help you do just that:
Act like a compassionate friend
When overwhelmed with negative feelings, imagine your inner voice as that friend who always got your back. What would they say? Channel the positive energy and warmth it brings, and it'll do wonders for your emotional reactions.
Do daily check-ins and positive affirmations
Try repeating a positive affirmation every time you see yourself in the mirror. Better yet, ask yourself what you need. It could be a nap or a reassuring conversation with a loved one. Part of self-compassion is listening to and addressing your daily needs.
Slow down
Engage in a guided meditation, sign up for yoga classes, or engage in mindful walking. All these activities take your mind away from the ups and downs of life and help reduce chaos and noise that ultimately cause negative emotions. Moving at a fast pace means less access to your intuition and feelings. Take back control of your emotions today with these powerful skills.
Recognize your history and beliefs
Identify beliefs you may have about yourself and your worth. While at it, look back at your childhood. Were you a victim of abuse, poor parenting, or negligent parents? Such experiences may lower your self-worth and hamper your ability to regulate your emotions. Self-awareness can free you from mindsets from the history and beliefs you keep accepting naturally, taking you one step closer to appreciating yourself more.
Love yourself, change your thoughts
Being compassionate to yourself can be a lifelong inner journey. It may be challenging to be kind to yourself during difficult times, but those are the best times to try it. And the good news is: you're not alone. Get in touch today for a helping hand to help you navigate your emotions. I am here to help.