The zones of regulation is a framework designed to help individuals to understand and manage their emotions, energy levels and state of alertness. It organizes these states into four colour coded zones, which make them easier to talk about.
Blue zone – low energy, sad, tired, ill, bored.
Green zone – calm, focused, ready to learn, in control.
Yellow zone – anxious, excited, silly, frustrated. Heightened, but has some control.
Red zone – extremely angry, out of control, overwhelmed, panicking or elated.
It was developed by OT Leah Kuypers and her book ‘The Zones of Regulation’ was first published in 2011.