Emotional intelligence in everyday life

Sometimes current problems are not due to a lack of resources but to poor management of our emotions.

In this sense, it should be noted that emotional intelligence contributes, according to several studies, 80% success in life. Only 20% provide us with rational intelligence.

• Related article: "The 8 types of emotions (classification and description)"

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the way we face the world and ourselves, the best way to know ourselves and our environment. It is a set of skills that make the person relate better or worse with others and with himself. The importance of managing emotions is the basis of emotional intelligence if we can understand them, we can also modify them and even anticipate them.

For example, knowing how to recognize emotion, managing it in time, we are able to stop states of depression, anxiety, anger, frustration... By being able to recognize and understand emotions, we will be able to control them in ourselves and in the people around us in our personal and work environment, with which, in addition,

it can become an excellent tool to help others.

Numerous studies show that emotional intelligence is directly related to success and feelings of well-being. People with highly developed emotional intelligence adapt easily to their environment, learn quickly and know work very well in a team, so they are people with great social skills, highly motivated, creative, confident, with good self-esteem. They handle criticism very well and know how and when to say a timely and necessary "no", in an assertive way.

There are many benefits of developing this ability, and that is why it is important to start training it from a young age. This will help us to improve concentration and learning ability, to know ourselves better and to develop a great empathy with others, so that our social relationships will be more satisfactory and we will be more motivated in general. Of course, it is a great help in the face of changes, since having more emotional intelligence will make the difference in being more or less resilient in the face of adversity.

As it is something that directly affects our life and our well-being, even our mental health, we do not give it the importance it deserves, but Perhaps it should be paid even more attention than other issues such as learning languages, practicing sports or studying, since it turns out to be the basis for everything.

• You may be interested in: "Emotional psychology: main theories of emotion"

How to train emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence can be something innate to the person, but it is also something that can be trained from a young age or as an adult. through different techniques and strategies.

It is easier to train when we are young, since at this stage we have a greater capacity for learning and a much more open mind. We are more flexible psychologically.

With training in emotional intelligence you can help the little ones to overcome the typical tantrums, tolerating failures and frustrations better, accustom them to focus on finding solutions, instead of blocking themselves before a problem; to fight against fears, teaching them to manage their emotions, first detecting them, understanding them and then looking for a remedy through games.

For them it will be a fun game, which as they grow up it will help them to control themselves, relax, pay more attention and achieve their goals, both in life and in the world of work.

The first thing is to identify the emotion in ourselves or in other people. We are emotional beings since we are born, and that is why it is important to know how to recognize them. It is also important to know how to connect with those emotions, not reject them, not repress them, because if we repress them they will manifest throughout our lives. As soon as you recognize an emotion it is important that you accept it, because emotions are neither good nor bad, they are adaptive and are automatic in the face of a stimulus that occurs.

Each emotion prepares our body for a different kind of response. For example, with anger the heart rate increases and adrenaline shoots up, to increase the available energy; thus the body is prepared for vigorous action. However, with fear, the blood goes to the legs in order to flee and your body begins to develop a general alertness. Sometimes it can be a confusing emotion or the result of several emotions, but you must recognize the main emotion in each scenario. For example; Is it anger or anguish? Sometimes we seem angry and what we really are is worried or distressed. The emotion is immediate, it is instantaneous.

Be aware of the negative implications of the emotions you feel. How does feeling like this hurt you? Find out the cause, what was the triggering situation that made you feel this way?

Be aware of yourself, know your emotions and manage them, recognize your emotions in others; empathy and thus better manage relationships. Ask, be interested in what happens to him. There is always a reason for everything, practice empathy.

Find the reason for this behavior in others or in yourself. Disconnect for at least a few hours. Technologically, socially and professionally. Try to clear your mind and relax. Dedicate yourself to yourself. Make decisions or seek solutions to avoid the situations that generate that emotion.

Studying the strategy of how to do it can also be a positive thought. Learn to say no in a positive way by adding a polite alternative. You can reject any proposal, without hurting someone else's emotions. Keep your distance from people who generate a negative influence on you, if you cannot help them, stay away. Training your emotional skills today with training in emotional intelligence is basic for the times we live in.