371. Co-Regulation Explained: Why You Absorb Other People's Emotions (And How to Stop)

371. Co-Regulation Explained: Why You Absorb Other People's Emotions (And How to Stop)

From Relationships Made Easy by Dr. Abby Medcalf

February 24, 2026 · 42 min · Season 8 · Episode 371

About this episode

This episode explains co-regulation and how it affects emotional responses in relationships, offering practical skills to manage it.

Have you ever noticed how your partner's bad mood can completely derail your day? Or how when your sister calls upset, suddenly your heart is racing even though nothing's wrong in your life? Maybe you walk into the office and instantly feel tense because your coworker is stressed, or you leave a phone call with your mom feeling drained and anxious for hours afterward. What's happening isn't a character flaw or a sign that you're "too sensitive." It's called co-regulation, and it's one of the most powerful forces in all your relationships. The problem? Most of us are doing it unconsciously, using patterns we learned as babies that no longer serve us. Today, you're going to learn exactly how co-regulation works in your brain and body, why your childhood experiences are still running the show in all your relationships, and most importantly, three practical skills you can use right now to stop the cycle of mutual dysregulation. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why you can't think your way out of emotional reactivity, and what to do instead. ____________________________ Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/what-is-co-regulation Download The Co-Regulation…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Abby Medcalf

Topics covered

  • co-regulation
  • emotional reactivity
  • relationships
  • childhood experiences
  • self-improvement

Keywords

  • co-regulation
  • emotions
  • relationships
  • emotional reactivity
  • self-improvement
  • stress
  • childhood experiences

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