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Everything you need to know to raise your EQ
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Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and express your own emotions, as well as to perceive and respond to the emotions of others. [1] X Research source These skills help you manage your stress levels and communicate effectively with the people around you, which can enhance your life both personally and professionally. In fact, research connects higher EQ levels with better performances at work and school, more satisfying social relationships, and improved mental health. [2] X Research source If you want to learn how to develop emotional intelligence, look no further! We’ll explain what emotional intelligence is and provide a list of helpful tips to increase it.
Things You Should Know
- Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, as well as the ability to perceive and respond to the emotions of others.
- Ways to improve EQ include recognizing and noting your feelings, practicing mindfulness, building empathy, and working on regulating emotions.
- Higher EQ levels are linked to improved performance at work or school, better relationships with others, and an increased ability to manage stressful situations.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I improve my emotional self-control?Sarah Schewitz, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist by the California Board of Psychology with over 10 years of experience. She received her Psy.D. from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011. She is the founder of Couples Learn, an online psychology practice helping couples and individuals improve and change their patterns in love and relationships.If you disagree when someone gives their opinion, try to remember that it's not a personal attack on you and everyone thinks differently. You shouldn't get upset because it has nothing to do with how they view you.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about emotional intelligence, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Butler, MSW .
References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202011/emotional-intelligence-and-how-increase-it
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-emotional-intelligence-eq
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202011/emotional-intelligence-and-how-increase-it
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-control
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/empathy/definition
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ Jennifer Butler, MSW. Love & Empowerment Coach. Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-emotional-intelligence-eq
- ↑ http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-mind-your-body/201201/10-ways-enhance-your-emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/emotions-are-physical#why-do-we-experience-this
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202011/emotional-intelligence-and-how-increase-it
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-control
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-positive-thinking
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/personality/willpower
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-develop-more-willpower#tips-for-developing-willpower
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-power-of-self-compassion
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/4-ways-to-boost-your-self-compassion
- ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_five_myths_of_self_compassion
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-power-of-self-compassion
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/emotional-intelligence
- ↑ https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1239918?sid=f192d0cc-1443-4bf1-a043-61410da39519
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-emotional-intelligence-eq
- ↑ https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/active_listening
- ↑ https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/active_listening
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/become-a-better-listener-active-listening
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To develop emotional intelligence, work on being open-minded and agreeable so you can deal with conflicts in a calm, self-assured manner. For example, try watching debates on TV and consider both sides of the argument instead of deciding who's right or wrong. You can also improve your empathy skills by putting yourself in other people’s shoes and imagining how you would feel in the same situation. Additionally, observe people's reactions, like whether they seem cheerful or nervous around you, to understand your effect on others. For more tips, like how to read body language, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I have been experiencing confusion about my feelings several times and being kind of impulsive. I used to think it is my personality and I can't change it. It was suffering to think how awful I am and I can't change who I am, but this article gave me clues to think about this problem in a different way and to consider a change. " ..." more
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"I have been experiencing confusion about my feelings several times and being kind of impulsive. I used to think it is my personality and I can't change it. It was suffering to think how awful I am and I can't change who I am, but this article gave me clues to think about this problem in a different way and to consider a change. "
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"Very helpful! No matter how big our IQ, unless we have a well-developed EQ, things might be meaningless in our life. This article has helped me to stop once and think on how to be optimist and improve my EQ in family and workplace. Thank you wikiHow! Lots of respect."
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"I loved this clear info... really helpful! I am going to share it with my son who is stressed with all the isolation, etc. and I think he will find it helpful as he has been getting angry instead of talking about how frustrated he feels."
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"I have just read Part One. I liked how you explain emotional intelligence in language which is easy to understand, and with concrete examples. I want to use this information to help a friend who is suffering from depression."
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"This article has helped me a lot. At first I couldn't show the right emotion at the right time. At times I get confused about other's emotions. Now I know how to control my emotions and also read others' emotions. "
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