Emotionally speaking, self-regulation is the ability to calm yourself down when you are upset and to cheer yourself up when you are down. Behaviorally speaking, self-regulation is the ability to act according to your core values and beliefs. Several researchers have shown that consistent self-regulation requires focus on your core values rather than feelings. The violation of our own core values invariably produces bad feelings, while fidelity to them in the long-term makes you feel more authentic and empowered. To improve self-regulation, a good place to start is by understanding the biology and function of emotions and feelings, which, at this point, you already know. Self-regulation allows you to experience emotions without being controlled by them. You own your emotions, which helps you to improve your decision-making, overcome setbacks, keep pursuing the things you want, and enhance your social skills, helping you to build strong, lasting, and rewarding relationships.