Co-regulation — the calming of our nervous system through connection with a regulated other — is one of the most powerful and underappreciated behavioral economics interventions.
What Co-Regulation Is and Why It Matters for Behavioral Economics
Humans are social mammals whose nervous systems are literally designed to be regulated through connection. When someone calm and safe is with us, our nervous systems naturally mirror theirs.
This is why behavioral economics tends to worsen in isolation and improve with genuine connection.
Co-Regulation in Behavioral Economics Treatment
The therapeutic relationship provides co-regulation — a calm, regulated presence that directly helps the client's nervous system settle during behavioral economics.
Safe relationships in daily life serve the same function. This is part of why social isolation is so damaging for behavioral economics.
Building Co-Regulatory Relationships for Behavioral Economics
- Identify people whose presence tends to calm rather than activate your behavioral economics
- Intentionally spend time with these people during difficult behavioral economics periods
- Pets provide co-regulation for many people with behavioral economics
- Therapeutic relationships (therapist, psychiatrist) provide professional co-regulation