Emotional Intelligence – The Benefits

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Becoming self-aware and regularly exercising what is known as Emotional Intelligence or EI, is an effective method of stress reduction. So what exactly is emotional intelligence? How might it be tied into stress management? In what way can it be utilized to assist in reducing the symptoms of stress?

Emotional intelligence is a skill which once mastered will enable the user to have greater personal control over feelings, and reactions, in any given situation. Some professionals are of the opinion that emotional intelligence is not something that can be learned or developed, it is something you are either born with or not. However, there are those professionals who believe otherwise. This view would seem to hold more logic as giving in to emotion is really no more than a matter of personal choice.

After all, most people are intelligent enough to grasp that in any crisis type circumstance they can either lose their cool or keep calm, and try to negotiate a satisfactory resolution to the problem. Therefore anyone who can learn to do a little self-analysis would be well equipped to develop and practice this skill. It is just a matter of acknowledging your emotions, and recognizing the changes in them, especially in stressful times. Anyone who has experienced undue stress will no doubt be aware of the impact that highly charged emotions can have on stress levels.

However those who can actively increase their emotional intelligence will discover that they are also able to reduce stress, and improve their lives to a considerable degree. It is important to understand that very often levels of stress can and do trigger physiological changes which can manifest often in quite devastating health problems. Over time the ongoing build up of negative emotions resulting in the near constant release of cortisol or stress hormones and adrenaline, throughout the system increases stress levels. Serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and a raised heart rate are just two examples, from a wide variety of poor health conditions, a person might experience as a result of living with unhealthy levels of stress.

Of course, the secret to emotional intelligence is being able to recognize when your emotions are running high, and getting out of control. Emotional intelligence could be described as being self-aware, or even fully conscious of your thoughts, and feelings. This may sound rather simplistic, but in this fast moving world many people tend to live in what might be referred to as, "automatic mode", thus, not really paying attention to their personal thoughts, and feelings, for a great deal of the time. Consequently, only when sickness puts a halt to their normal lives do they realize how much pressure and stress they have been living with, on a daily basis.

To conclude, the best way to avoid becoming stressed out, and running the risk of becoming physically or mentally ill, is to learn how to recognize, understand, clarify, and manage your emotions, in stressful situations. In other words, you need to achieve some level of emotional intelligence. The ability to assess a situation, and to reason things out logically, enables self-control and clarity. Consequently, the individual who is able to manage highly charged circumstances with a rational and calm approach effectively eliminates the likelihood of any runaway feelings of panic, anxiety, or helplessness, arising at times of crisis; therefore, exercising emotional intelligence, to great effect.