Affect Regulation: Everything You Need To Know

July 18, 2023 by Gabrielle Ilagan

Everybody has emotions, both positive and negative. We can never have complete control over them. If you struggle with intense emotions so much that it gets in the way of your everyday life, you may have trouble with affect regulation.

What Is Affect Regulation?

Affect regulation is the capacity to handle emotional experiences and respond to emotions appropriately. Sometimes when you have intense emotions, you’re able to cope with them without being overwhelmed. However, when you feel hijacked by intense emotions, you might want to cope with them in ways that can make the situation worse. For example, you might turn to alcohol or drugs, lash out at others, or even harm yourself.

[Read more…]

How to Be Kind to Yourself During Mindfulness Meditation

January 23, 2023 by Dr. Paul Greene

This article is for people who are experienced in mindfulness meditation. If you struggle with self-criticism during your meditation, keep reading to learn about how your meditation can lead to greater self-compassion.

aquatic bloom blooming blossom symbolizing kindness in mindfulness meditation

If you practice mindfulness meditation, you know it can be hard work. You work to refocus your attention. You work to sit in what can be an uncomfortable position for longer than your knees or back would like. Cultivating mindfulness isn’t easy!

[Read more…]

What Is the Goal of Meditation?

May 16, 2022 by Dr. Paul Greene

People meditate for many reasons. They want to clear their minds, to reduce stress, to get centered… but are any of these things really the goal of meditation? Not quite.

Ask people what their goal is when they meditate, and you’ll hear a variety of answers. “To deal with stress.” “To calm down.” “To get rid of my thoughts.” “To feel connected to the world.” There are lots of opinions out there.

[Read more…]

9 Critical Mindfulness Tips for Those Just Starting Out

April 25, 2022 by Dr. Paul Greene

Do you always feel like there are at least six things you should be doing? Over time, rushing from one task to the next and to the next can take a toll. The busyness and stress of life can make you feel like you’re about to explode.

[Read more…]

How Long Should You Meditate For? And How Often?

November 30, 2020 by Dr. Paul Greene

There are a lot of different recommendations for how long you should meditate, as well as for how often you should meditate. Some sources say to do an hour every day, but you may not have that much time. Below you’ll find research-based recommendations for how long — and how often — to meditate.