EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions and behaviors without becoming overwhelmed, often referred to as being within your window of tolerance. It includes being able to resist highly emotional reactions to upsetting situations, to calm yourself down when upset, to adjust to a change in expectations, and to handle frustration without an outburst. Some children and youth, especially those who have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), have difficulties regulating their emotions and have a narrow window of tolerance. But it is possible to help them widen their window of tolerance through experiences of coregulation they can begin to learn skills to self-soothe and ways to notice and respond to their emotions in healthy ways.