Ep 76: Diving Deep into Co-Regulation

Co-Regulation: Stepping in with soothing, responsive interactions to help a person be able to regulate their emotions.   OR Borrowing the ability to attain a regulated state from another person who is emotionally regulated and responsive to our need for assistance.

First – you need to regulate yourself.  

• Be aware of own triggers
• Find /create your own system of support
• Find activities, interests to help you regulate (music, movies, hobbies, exercise)
• Find what grounds and anchors you, a source of strength, comfort, and clarity of purpose like personal faith, nature, meditations

Second - let them borrow some of your regulation.  

• Be (and remain) present
• Reflect back calm and responsiveness  
• Hold space

The final step of regulation is to actively teach children how to regulate themselves, giving them tools to use.

• Mindfulness
• Name It to Tame It  
• Creative Expressions of Emotions  
• Movement & Rhythm 
• Breathing  
• Sensory Engagement   
• Hunger or Thirst  
• Grounding Techniques  
• Play  

Resources:

Mona Delahooke https://monadelahooke.com/

Deb Dana https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/

The Whole Brain Child- Dr. Siegel and Dr. Bryson