Emotional responses always arise for a reason; they are just the result of an underlying structure. Ignoring an emotional response as some random flash is like discarding important information. There is no such thing as just tilt. There are always certain values, desires, or beliefs behind it, to which tilt is just a response, just a symptom. If you want to learn to control tilt, you first need to understand the emotional structures and motivations behind it.
So, there is one problem with the term “tilt,” with how we are used to using this term. We have defined tilt as emotions that negatively affect our game, but we know that the range of emotions is very broad. Two players might claim they have problems with it, and at the same time, they might have nothing in common when talking about the arising emotions, triggers, or behavior. One player might tilt because he feels he will never win a flip, while another might tilt because he is tired, has played too long, or his ex-wife messed with his mind. So saying “I tilted today” doesn't explain why and how it happened. In fact, the word tilt itself gives us permission not to explore the reasons behind it. When someone says they tilted, we don't ask, “Come on, why did that happen? What exact emotion did you feel? How did tilt affect your game at the table?”
Of course, poker players energetically discuss their strategic mistakes: “I 3-bet too much and tried to win too many pots.” or “I kept calling his river shoves even when he was clearly playing nitty,” but you will never hear a player telling someone, “I tilted because I felt I deserved to win, so I decided to force big pots and increase variance moving forward.”
This shouldn't be a big surprise, especially since poker culture stifles the expression of emotions and
vulnerability. Due to its hyper-masculine shell, it leaves no room for emotional self-awareness. And although poker strategy has evolved tremendously over the past five years due to strict tone and idea exchange, widespread emotional skill development has not followed suit.
Openly talking about one's vulnerability while tilting feels like an implicit taboo. Although
we quickly acknowledge strategic mistakes, we prefer to just laugh off tilt. 
We will joke about our recklessness with friends and get angry at our mistakes in solitude.
Emotional skills are developed just like strategic ones. And to develop them requires time, discipline, and, most importantly, a firm commitment to honestly see oneself and one's mistakes.
To categorize all types of tilt under one roof, Jared Tendler, author of The Mental Game of Poker, lists six main types of tilt: injustice tilt, losing tilt, mistake tilt, entitlement tilt, revenge tilt, and desperation tilt. These are targeted categories, but ultimately, tilt encompasses a whole spectrum, and there is no generalized classification system that fits all. Every player has their own emotional profile, beliefs, and values.
Moreover, there is no single, universal answer to the question, “Why do people tilt?” Every player does it for a specific reason, unique to their emotional motivations. Some want to vent frustration, some due to injustice, or to maintain an egotistical homeostasis; we all tilt for our reasons and in our ways. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so each of us must strive to understand our emotional construction.
Now imagine you are already playing a session and realize you have started tilting; what can you do to calm your tilt? Well, the best thing would be to stop playing. However, since you are already tilting, this advice is probably pointless.
One of the most useful techniques to reduce tilt is breath control. There are hundreds of different breathing techniques, no matter which one you choose. If you don't know any, simply do this – when you realize you are tilting, first lean back in your chair. This action will open your diaphragm and help your lower back. Relax your body as much as possible. Then close your eyes and start breathing deeply and slowly. While breathing this way, try to scan your body with your inner gaze, thinking, “Come on, what do I feel? What emotion does tilt manifest in my body? Where do I feel it? How do I feel it?” While breathing this way, objectively explore what inner feelings you are experiencing. Continue until you feel calm, relaxed, and aware of your body's condition.
Such a calm body scan will alleviate many emotions. It is very likely that the mind will even decide to take a break from the game. But even if you continue playing, you will become more focused on yourself, calm, and aware.
There are many ways to help solve the tilt problem: mantras you can repeat to yourself, pre-session rituals, breaks, visualization, suggestion, etc. The list could be endless, and everyone will find a useful tool in it.
However, most people struggle to deal with the tilt problem on their own. It is not impossible, and many players naturally improve over time, but for the vast majority trying to improve naturally, it simply doesn't work because tilt is the hardest part of the game to influence.
When someone is a complete monkey tilter, it is usually obvious even to themselves. Therefore, such people, if they hit rock bottom enough times, always seek help. They know they are monkey tilters. However, for many players, tilt is like a bear sleeping on the side. They never know when it will wake up and bite them again. Since this bear usually sleeps, they don't feel it is a big problem. In fact, most poker players would be more successful if they tilted constantly but in small “doses,” then they would constantly face their emotional weaknesses.
Of course, finding a coach is the best solution to solve tilt problems. However, if the problems are very big and cause many negative consequences in your life, then it would be most valuable to meet with a psychologist or another certified therapy specialist. Although a coach can help understand your motivation, create a tilt profile, help deal with tilt, and develop better habits, from tilt to gambling is just one step. If you can't precisely say where you are, it's better to talk to a certified specialist.
