The popular magazine Psychology Today published a blog written by Dr. Stuart Shanker about the difference between Self-Reg and self-control. There is a profound difference between self-regulation and self-control. Self-control is about inhibiting strong impulses; self-regulation, reducing the frequency and intensity of strong impulses by managing stress-load and recovery. In fact, self-regulation is what makes self-control possible, or, in many cases, not needed. The reason lies deep inside the brain.