EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage disturbing emotions and remain effective, even in stressful situations. Notice that I said “manage,” which is different from suppressing emotions. We need our positive feelings that makes life rich. But we also need to allow ourselves the space and time to process difficult emotions depending on the context. It is one thing to do it in a heartfelt conversation with a good friend and entirely another to release your anger or frustration at work. With emotional intelligence, you can manage destabilizing emotions, staying calm and clear-headed.

Why do we have emotions and what is their purpose?

Every human being has two minds: the one that thinks and the one that feels.
When the emotional mind takes control, the rational mind often disconnects, leading us to make decisions that may seem illogical or hard to understand.

The timeless struggle between reason and emotion has inspired comedies, philosophical debates, scientific research, and spiritual teachings throughout history.

Emotions, even when uncomfortable, are what guide the most important decisions in our lives. Each one has a vital purpose:

ANGER

Anger arises as a defense mechanism in the face of danger.
It concentrates in the arms, heart, and breathing: the arms grow stronger, the heart beats faster, and the breath accelerates to give us immediate energy.
It pushes us to protect ourselves by confronting or driving away what feels like a threat.

In prehistoric times, it was crucial for survival. Today, however, it often leads to mistakes, broken relationships, and disruptions in harmony with others. This is why anger is one of the least socially accepted emotions.

FEAR

Fear activates the legs, preparing us to flee or defend ourselves.
The body releases adrenaline, making us run faster, jump higher, or even freeze for an instant. The face turns pale, and the mind focuses on finding the best strategy to survive: escape, hide, or attack.

It remains a key survival mechanism, though in excess it can hold us back.

SADNESS

Sadness helps us process loss and disappointment.
The body slows down, and tears release toxins, bringing mental relief. It encourages us to withdraw from certain situations and seek comfort in trusted people and safe spaces.

Through sadness, we open up, share deep emotions, and strengthen bonds of trust and support.

JOY

Joy allows us to clear away negative thoughts.
It reduces anger, fear, and sadness, while bringing energy, peace, and motivation. Joy gives us a mental break, helping us focus on our goals and follow the paths that serve us best.

LOVE

Love awakens a state of calm, peace, and cooperation.
It inspires us to help, connect, and commit to others, protecting us from loneliness. From a biological perspective, love ensures survival: forming bonds, raising children, caring for future generations, and transmitting safety, care, and affection. Love is the emotion that connects us the most, as it sustains both life and shared well-being.

In summary: every emotion has a purpose. They are not enemies of reason, but guides that help us adapt, protect ourselves, and grow in our human experience.

What can you do to improve your emotional intelligence?

- Be aware of what you feel. Observe, describe and name your emotion.

- Note its intensity and understand what caused that emotion

- How you interpreted the situation? You think is possible to have a different point of view?

- Feel your body and your sensations on a physical level

- What non-verbal language you had, what you said and did?

- What were the consequences

TIPS FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

- Make a journal to understand what are the situations that put you in difficult moments and be more aware for change your negative thoughts and emotions.

- Change your thoughts. Behind your emotions are your thoughts and beliefs. Even if you can’t change some situations, focus on the positive side, this can help you to have a different point of view and reduce conflicts.

- Set yourself to have positive emotions. Find a place to relax and fill it with things that bring you positive thoughts and peace.

- Create your own anchor word, a word that will be your mental instrument to calm your thoughts and reduce mental noise.

- Use relaxation techniques. Make a habit out of relaxing, can be meditation, sport, art, music, dance or anything else that makes you enjoy and be happy. Over time, you will become more calm and at the same time more aware of your own person, becoming more willing to work on your EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

- Try to see the situation from outside. Think about if what is happening requires the actions you are taking or your negative attitude. This will make you see things more clearly and not get so emotionally involved. You will become less subjective.

- When you lose control of the situation, change your focus of attention. Do something else. Don’t focus on what you feel, what is wrong, don’t split hairs amplifying your negative state. Drink a glass of water, take a walk, take a breath, go jogging, whatever it takes to return to a normal state.

Emotional self-control is one of the most important abilities, and we need to give it the proper attention if we want to live in harmony with ourselves and others, because without emotional self-control, our inner strength becomes mostly negative, manifesting like a frisky horse or a tornado capable of destroying everything that gets in their way.