Emotion regulation refers to the ability to manage and control emotional responses. There are three main types:
1. Situation Selection and Modification
This type involves proactively choosing or changing situations to minimize exposure to triggering emotions.
- Example: Avoiding a stressful work meeting by delegating tasks or requesting a different time slot.
2. Attention Deployment
This type involves focusing attention on different aspects of a situation to influence emotional experience.
- Example: Focusing on the positive aspects of a challenging situation to lessen negative feelings.
3. Cognitive Change
This type involves changing how you think about a situation to alter emotional responses.
- Example: Reframing a negative thought into a more positive one to reduce feelings of anxiety.
These three types of emotion regulation work together to help individuals manage their emotional experiences effectively.
