Emotion in Motion

A series of my stories about emotions and emotion regulation Stories About Emotions A few days ago I wrote a flurry of stories about emotional dysregulation and co-regulation, which has prompted me to compile my related stories to make them easier to find. Interoception and emotion regulation The first one I wrote back in November. ThisContinue reading “Emotion in Motion”

Exploring Emotional Regulation 

Co-regulation is essential for any relationship, especially the parent-child relationship.  We all become dysregulated sometimes. This happens when the demands of the environment exceed our ability to deal with them in a calm, skillful manner at that moment in time. When someone we love is upset, there are essentially three different responses we can give them. 1)Continue reading “Exploring Emotional Regulation “

Keeping Our Cool With Our Kids

Practical strategies for remaining calm when our children are experiencing intense emotions Have a plan ahead of time, one you’ve come up with when you’re calm, ready for those moments when you feel the frustration rising. Don’t wait until you feel stressed to make time for your favourite self-care routines, make them a priority everyContinue reading “Keeping Our Cool With Our Kids”

Emotional Dysregulation is Not Always Pathological

Emotions are natural and necessary human responses I was doing research for another article, trying to find a scientific definition of emotional dysregulation. Instead, what I found was a series of peer-reviewed sources pathologizing intense feelings. It’s not our emotions that are extreme or inappropriate, it’s our behavioural responses to those emotions which can leadContinue reading “Emotional Dysregulation is Not Always Pathological”

Education-Sponsored Gaslighting

Some social-emotional programs are ableist and invalidating Ever had someone tell you you’re overreacting? How’d that work out for you? We forget that feelings and emotions are, by definition, not rational. Teaching emotion regulation skills does not require us to agree with someone’s reason for being upset.  Read my article on Invisible Illness. When youContinue reading “Education-Sponsored Gaslighting”

Self Awareness Improves Self Control

Interoception and Emotion Regulation What one has to do with the other Have you ever been surprised by the sudden intensity of your own emotions? One minute you thought you were calm, cool, and collected, and the next you were flying off the handle? …Just me, then? (Hopefully not just me). Do you know yourContinue reading “Self Awareness Improves Self Control”