Emotional Intelligence and Why It Matters

Emotions are an essential part of what it means to be human.

We all feel things. In an average day, a range of emotions can arise anywhere from rage to incredible joy. We can’t suppress our feelings, nor should we want to, even when experiencing emotions that feel unpleasant.

What we need is to manage our emotions through emotional intelligence. Specifically, this is the ability to identify what we are feeling, choose a healthy way to express it, and channel the emotion into positive action. (1)

Five Aspects of Emotional Intelligence

Empathy

First, empathy plays a crucial role in being an emotionally intelligent person. Namely, the ability to understand other people’s perspectives and consider other people’s feelings is essential to our well-being and to have meaningful relationships.

Social Skills

Second, we’ve all met other people who seem out of touch with how to act in social situations. These people are missing an aspect of emotional intelligence. As a result, being able to function well socially requires dealing with the emotions of those around you and managing how you respond.

We’ve all met other people who seem out of touch with how to act in social situations. These people are missing an aspect of emotional intelligence. Being able to function well socially requires dealing with the emotions of those around you and managing how you respond.

Self-Awareness

Third, being aware of what emotions we are experiencing is the foundation of emotional intelligence. In this case, if we can’t identify our feelings, we have no chance to respond well to them.

Being aware of what emotions we are experiencing is the foundation of emotional intelligence. If we can’t identify our feelings, we have no chance to respond well to them.

Self-Regulation

Fourth, emotionally healthy people are good at managing feelings when they arise. As a result, individuals who can self-regulate can adapt to changes and be more resilient in times of stress.

Emotionally healthy people are skilled at managing feelings when they arise. Individuals who can self-regulate can adapt to changes and be more resilient in times of stress.

Motivation

Finally, the more we can stabilize our emotional reactions, the easier it is to self-motivate. Therefore, emotionally healthy individuals value the intrinsic reward of motivating themselves to achieve what matters to them.

The more we can stabilize our emotional reactions, the easier it is to self-motivate. Emotionally healthy individuals value the intrinsic reward of motivating themselves to achieve what matters to them.

Can Emotional Intelligence Be Learned?

How emotionally intelligent we are is based in part on the environment we are raised in. (3) Being raised by parents who value emotional intelligence increases the chance of becoming an emotionally intelligent adult. A supportive school environment influences whether we are able to manage our emotions, be empathetic towards others, and thereby develop social skills.

But, even if these early influences were lacking, emotional intelligence can be cultivated at any age. (4) For instance, putting effort into building self-awareness, getting feedback from others about how you express emotions, and reading books that build empathy are all accessible ways to begin. (5)

Why We Need Emotional Intelligence

Above all, being an emotionally intelligent adult is an essential aspect of wellness. In particular, it makes us resilient, empathetic, and thus able to form deep connections with others. Being self-aware is a crucial ingredient in our ability to identify our values and achieve our goals.

In other words, emotional intelligence makes us healthy people who experience greater levels of happiness and well-being. Thus, instead of letting our emotions determine our direction in life, we can intelligently manage our feelings and choose the path that leads to wellness.