“According to the focal article by Britt, Shen, Sinclair, Grossman, and Klieger (2016), it seems conclusive that all definitions of resilience involve an experience of significant adversity, regardless of whether it is examined as a traitor an outcome. This experience of adversity is inherently emotional. When considering the ability or outcome of “bouncing back” from a stressful or chronic event, one must recognize the emotional experience and consider how individuals may cope with their emotions. This said, there is a clear connection between resilience and emotion regulation.”
(Sophie A. Kay (2016). Emotion Regulation and Resilience: Overlooked Connections. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 9, pp 411-415 doi:10.1017/iop.2016.31)
The connection between resilience and emotional regulation
It might feel like a battle you need to win, but emotional regulation and resilience are more about striking a balance to keep your ship steady while you sail through a storm.
Prevent A Melt Down
Of course, there is the most obvious benefit which is that emotional regulation can help you prevent having a full-blown melt down when facing challenges, obstacles, and adversity in any form.
When stuff happens the most common reaction is to panic and become overwhelmed by stress, and this does nothing to help you remain objective, focused, and able in sailing through your issue. Emotional regulation on the other hand enables you to regain composure and to better deal with the problem at hand.
Act From A Place Of Self-Confidence
When we are emotionally regulated, we can focus and act from a place of truth of who we are. We can use our strengths and accept and address our weaknesses as we weather the storm.
Avoids Emotions Dictating Your Decisions
When our emotional state is out of control, it will affect our thoughts, actions, and behaviors. But, being emotionally regulated facilitates the making of intentional decisions that are made with thought and careful consideration, versus those which are dictated by emotions.
Prevents Self-Destructive Choices
When we are dealing with challenges stress and subsequent emotions can lead to making unhealthy and self-destructive choices. An out of control emotional state can lead to emotional eating, drinking, smoking and drugs in order to try and deal with an out of control state.
On the other hand, emotional regulation helps prevent such dysfunctional coping mechanisms, and allows us to look to more self-supportive coping skills. It’s basically the difference between emotionally reactive and emotionally proactive.
Function From A Place Of Peace
When you are emotionally regulated, you can function from a place of peace, versus a place of chaos, pain, overwhelm and pain. This helps you navigate the storm with a more calm and purposeful focus.
A Better Mood
Facing adversity and being in resilience mode can be challenging. Depending on the intensity of the adversity, things can get pretty bad, and this can negatively affect your mood for the long-term. Emotional regulation allows you to avoid being a victim to your emotions, which can destroy your mood and make things more difficult all around.
