We can only learn to self-regulate as we become aware of the areas in our lives that we can regulate where we actually have a choice.
When you allow negative emotions like anger, guilt, and past disappointments take possession of you, they control your mind and slow you down making you helpless and anxious. You react to your negative emotions rather than respond positively.
The emotions must regulate our thoughts, not manipulate or substitute them. When you improve your emotional awareness, you are capable of naming what you feel, how you feel, and why you feel a particular emotion. Furthermore, they can become a critical source of information for taking a better approach towards resolving your negative feelings healthily.
sscascades.org