Boost Focus, Build Confidence: Neuropsychology-Driven Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to regulation reactions to strong emotions that may come up in including, anger, anxiety, sadness, stress, etc. Self-regulation allows individuals to understand and manage these behaviors, reactions, and feelings from things that happen around us in a health way.
How To Self-Regulate Using Neuropsychology
Self-regulation is built upon 4 components based off of Self-Regulation Theory:
- Standards of desirable behavior
- Motivation to meet standards
- Awareness of situations and thoughts that break standards
- Internal strength to control urges – willpower
Utilizing different neuroscience based self-regulation techniques can help release chemicals and improve functioning in specific parts of our brain that help us better regulate our emotions.
Below are some helpful hacks to self-regulate utilizing neuropsychology:
- Stressed? Breathe utilizing physiological sigh (Huberman)
- Anxious? Walk for amygdala deactivation
- Sad? Acknowledge your feelings and move your body to release endorphins
- Impulsive or Angry? Dilate your gaze (look outside the window to blunt noradrenaline release so you can think clearly)
- Low Motivation? Focus on one spot on your screen for 1 minute to release noradrenaline – pupillary convergence increases focus
- Low Self-Worth & Insecure? Write down your strengths. This engages logical thinking which overrides the limbic system
The better we are able to understand and address our own emotions and impulses, the better we are able to make sense of our environment, adjust to it, and meet our goals.
Take the First Step Towards Change
Many clients choose to address stress through couples therapy, where we work directly on the relational patterns driving emotional overload.
Contact Marina Edelman, LMFT, today for a confidential consultation.
Learn More About Marina Edelman’s Services
You can also find more information on her Psychology Today profile: Marina Edelman – Psychology Today. Or explore resources on the AEDP Institute website: Marina Edelman – AEDP Institute
FAQ Section
Can relationship problems really cause chronic emotional overload ?
Yes. Relationship distress is one of the most significant contributors to chronic stress. Ongoing conflict, emotional disconnection, or feeling unsupported keeps the nervous system in a heightened state of alert, which can lead to anxiety, burnout, and physical symptoms over time.
Is stress management therapy different from couples therapy?
Stress management therapy often overlaps with couples therapy when stress is driven by relationship dynamics. For many clients, addressing communication patterns, emotional safety, and conflict directly within the relationship leads to more effective and lasting stress reduction.
Should we seek couples therapy if overwhelm is affecting our relationship?
Yes. If stress is contributing to frequent conflict, emotional distance, or decreased intimacy, couples therapy can help identify the patterns fueling stress and create healthier ways of relating.
Do you offer burnout counseling for individuals as well as couples?
Yes. I work with both individuals and couples. Individual therapy often focuses on stress related to relationships, emotional regulation, and personal boundaries, while couples therapy addresses shared relational dynamics.
Do you offer stress management therapy via telehealth?
Yes. I provide therapy to clients throughout California via secure telehealth, in addition to in-person sessions in Westlake Village, CA.
Serving Westlake Village, Malibu, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Oak Park, and surrounding areas in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and beyond in the state of California via telehealth.