We hear more and more about emotional intelligence, but what exactly is it? An important aspect of emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, analyze and evaluate one's own emotions and those of others.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous
We hear more and more about emotional intelligence, but what is it exactly? An important aspect of emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, analyze and evaluate one's own emotions and those of others.
The information gathered by this type of analysis, when used appropriately, allows us to better understand both ourselves and the people we see around us.
The term emotional intelligence was born in 1990 by the psychologists John D. Mayer and Peter Salovey. Some researchers today suggest that emotional intelligence is an innate quality, while others argue that it can be developed. Here then is the idea of being able work on yourself to improve the quotient of one's emotional intelligence.
The internationally renowned psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, in his book entitled "The Emotional Revolution" highlights ten interesting ways to try to improve our emotional intelligence. Let's find out what they are (with the magnificent illustrations by Jenny Meililhove).
Index
Let's ask ourselves how we feel
We try not to run away from our emotions even when they are uncomfortable. If our emotions or feelings make us uncomfortable, we don't try to ignore it and distract ourselves with some other activity. The advice is to sit quietly twice a day and ask yourself "How do I feel?". It may be that emotions take some time to emerge, especially if you are not used to listening to them. Take your time.
We don't judge emotions too quickly
It's easy run the risk of judging emotions too quickly. Let's try not to reject them before we can really grasp the meaning and try to understand why they were born and manifested themselves. Emotions often rise like a wave and then drop before disappearing. Don't arrest them at any time. Let them express themselves within you and listen to them.
We look for connections
Let's try to find the connections between emotions, feelings and reasons why we feel this way right now. When it arrives a difficult emotion, ask yourself if you have ever felt the same way at other times before. This can help you understand your current emotional state and reflect on the situation you are in right now or have experienced in the past.
We connect emotions and thoughts
We try to connect our emotions with our thoughts. Perhaps these emotions arise from one of the thoughts that are tormenting us. Sometimes the emotions we feel can contradict each other, but according to the expert this is completely normal. Listen to all your emotions, compare them and try to synthesize them.
We listen to our body
You know that emotions are reflected in our organs e on body parts? For example, a knot in the stomach can mean that we are tired and fatigued from work. Listening to your body's signals can help you better recognize and classify your emotions.
We ask the opinion of others
If we just can't understand how we feel right now, let's try to ask the opinion of others. This is advice that people rarely follow. But asking a small question to a person we know well and trust can lead to a surprising and clarifying answer.
We listen to the unconscious
become more aware of emotions linked to our unconscious we can try to use free associations. When you relax, let your thoughts wander freely and see what direction they take, write down your dreams when you wake up in a notebook to keep handy on the bedside table and pay attention to the dreams that repeat themselves and that cause you strong emotions.
We evaluate our state of well-being
We start every day at really ask ourselves how we are and to evaluate our state of well-being on a scale from 1 to 100. You could try to keep a daily journal of your emotions and try to understand which aspects of your life they relate to.
We take note of emotions and feelings
Another useful exercise is the regularly take note of your thoughts, of the emotions and feelings we experience every day or at some particular time of the week. This is an exercise that takes a few hours a month but can be very useful for getting to know each other better.
Let's orient ourselves towards the outside
THEanalysis of one's self it is very important but we must not forget that there is a world around us to be discovered. So let's look inside but at the same time do not exaggerate in order to be always present in the world around us and grasp the useful stimuli it offers us.
Marta Albè
Photo font: Jenny Meilihove
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