Emotions can often feel like visceral reactions beyond our control. And yet, research has shown that there are ways to intervene in our own emotional responses to challenging situations. The process model of emotional regulation, pioneered by psychologist James Gross in the 1990s, details the different points at which these interventions may be used, and how these tools can help make our emotions more manageable than they otherwise would be. Studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of each strategy derived from this process model—including studies on the connection between emotional regulation and mental health.

Emotional regulation, however, is not the same as perpetual happiness. Some people fall into patterns of substance abuse for the purpose of emotional regulation, while others suppress emotion to the detriment of their physical health. Seeking "happiness" itself has also been shown to lead to a paradoxical decrease in happiness, because it creates opportunities for many unmet expectations. For more insight into the benefits of honest reflection and regulation of one's emotions, read these articles from the University of California, Berkeley—What You Think About Your Emotions Matters and How to Regulate Your Emotions Without Suppressing Them.  

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