...is not a program, but a journey. It's a 5-domain process involving reframing, recognizing stressors, reducing them, reflecting on the process, and responding/recovering to the stressors, resulting in calm.
What is Self-Regulation?
Many definitions exist in the research of self-regulation making it a difficult construct to study. An analysis by Burman, Green, and Shanker (2015) identified 447 related terms grouped into 6 clusters, and revealed that self-regulation is a function of becoming aware of one's energy and arousal states and the things one can do to get back to being calmly focused and alert.
Self-Regulation Research
Self-reg is a framework grounded in rigorous research, pulling together comprehensive work in neurology, biology, physiology, cognition, emotions, and social research. Research in self-regulation has been growing exponentially in the last 10 years as the framework is applied in all kinds of settings, but the multitude of definitions can be confusing . Stuart Shanker and The MEHRIT Centre are doing wonderful work in disseminating key information about the comprehensive, neuroscience-based framework, how we can help individuals to identify their own hidden stressors, and learn what they can do to get back to (and remain in) a calm and alert state of arousal.
What is now in progress is a comprehensive literature review leading the way in fortifying the research employing this definition, which will culminate this summer in a journal dedicated to expanding this research. I am proud to be part of a progressive research team at the Self-Reg Institute who are working on just that.
