Self-control involves the voluntary control of one's reactions and impulses.
The term self-control is made up of the union of two words that come from different languages. First of all, it is formed by the word “auto” which comes from the Greek autos and translates as “self.” Secondly, there is the word “control” that comes from French and is synonymous with dominance and control.
Therefore, starting from this etymological origin we could emphasize that the literal definition of the term that concerns us now is that of “self-control.”
Self-control concept
Self-control is a term that has recently been accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) . It is a concept that refers to the control of one's own impulses and reactions , and involves a series of relaxation techniques .
Self-control could be defined as the conscious ability to voluntarily regulate impulses , with the aim of achieving greater personal and relational balance. A person with self-control can manage their emotions and regulate their behavior.
Self-control is, on the other hand, a tool that allows, in moments of crisis, to distinguish between what is most important (what will last) and what is not so relevant (what is temporary) .
However, it must also be emphasized that on many occasions the self-control that a person carries out is seen as something negative and determines that they are considered “cold.” An example could be: “Manuel had such marked self-control that he did not even let a tear escape when Eva told him everything she was suffering because of the relationship they had.”
To achieve self-control, you need to be relaxed.
The importance of relaxation
Specialists in self-control techniques recommend, whenever possible, not to force the body or mind . When an individual is relaxed, serene and rested, he or she is in a better position to face difficulties. On the other hand, self-control requires calm dialogue to prevent confrontation from leading to situations of emotional or even physical violence.
Patience is a key virtue when it comes to self-control. Psychologists teach a person to know how to forgive themselves for their failures and mistakes, which contributes to their inner balance and prepares them to accept the weaknesses and mistakes of others.
It should be noted that the main enemy of self-control is irrational ideas , which cause a lack of self-worth, insecurity, psychological dependence and the need for approval, for example. These ideas can even cause depression .
Self-control techniques
It is also necessary to emphasize that in those situations that can generate stress and make us lose our temper, there are a series of self-control techniques that are recommended by experts in the field. It is a set of very simple guidelines that will ensure that we calm down, that we do not let ourselves be guided by our impulses and that we do not get more upset than is strictly necessary.
In this sense, among the most significant is, for example, yawning. And yawning calms our breathing and that means our body relaxes and calms down. This action will also be achieved by eliminating tension from our mind.