The Zones of Regulation is a framework used to teach self-regulation by helping people to gain skills in consciously regulating their feelings, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using this type of system to categorise the complex feelings and states people experience improves their ability to recognise and communicate how they are feeling in a safe, non-judgemental way. This cognitive behaviour approach helps people recognise when they are in different states called 'Zones', with each of the four Zones represented by a different colour, learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in a Zone or move from one to another and create a toolbox of methods, such as calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports to use to move between Zones.

Self-regulation

Self-regulation can go by many names, such as 'self-control', 'self-management', 'anger' control', and 'impulse control'. These terms all describe people's ability to adjust their level of alertness and how they display their emotions through their behaviour to attain goals in adaptive ways. In other words, self-regulation is the ability to do what needs to be done to be in the optimal state for the given situation. This includes regulating one's sensory needs, emotions, energy, and impulses to meet the demands of the environment, reach one's goals, and have a sense of well-being.

The Zones

The Zones of Regulation categories states of alertness, energy, and emotions into four coloured Zones:

The Blue Zone

is used to describe low states of alertness and down feelings, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, hurt, lonely, or bored. This is when one's body and/or brain is moving slowly or sluggishly.

The Green Zone

is used to describe a calm, alert state. A person may be described as calm, happy, focused, or content when in the Green Zone. The nervous system feels safe, organised, and connected in the Green Zone, helping us be primed to learn. However, we can learn in other Zones too.

The Yellow Zone

is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness; however, a person has some control when in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, nervousness, confusion, overwhelm, and many more slightly elevated emotions and states when in the Yellow Zone (such as wiggly, squirmy, or sensory seeking). The Yellow Zone is starting to feel less in control.

The Red Zone

is used to describe a state of extremely high energy and intense, overwhelming feelings that are harder to control. A person may feel elated, euphoric, anger, rage, devastated, panicked, or terrified when in the Red Zone.

Zones can be compared to traffic lights and signs. When given the green light (in the Green Zone), one is 'ready to go'. A caution sign means slow down or be aware, which applies to the Yellow Zone. A stop sign means stop; when a person is in the Red Zone, he or she may need to pause and regain control. The Blue Zone can be compared to a blue rest area where you pull over when you're tired and need to recharge or gain comfort.

It is important to emphasise that everyone experiences all of the Zones at one time or another, and that there are no 'bad' zones. All the Zones are okay and natural to experience. Instead the focus is placed on figuring out how they are feeling and how to regulate the feelings or Zone to gain a sense of well-being and control of their feelings and behaviour. The Zones of Regulation is intended to be neutral and not project judgement when helping to recognise levels of alertness and feelings.