3 mindfulness exercises that will improve your Emotional Intelligence
By Sarah Kivel
Being aware of our own emotions, understanding other's emotions, and managing our emotions effectively in relationships require Emotional Intelligence.
According to Daniel Goleman's research, Emotional Intelligence matters twice as much as IQ or technical expertise when it comes to successful leadership. And Emotional Intelligence determines the quality of both our personal and professional relationships. But how do we become emotionally intelligent?
Improving our Emotional Intelligence requires us to slow down, be present, notice what's happening inside and around us. In other words, it takes being mindful.
3 mindfulness exercises that will improve your emotional Intelligence
1. Clean up.
Studies show that our environment affects our ability to think clearly and creatively. Clean the clothes off the floor, clear the stacks of papers off your desk, clean out the garage. Put some fresh flowers in your kitchen. These things help remove distractions so that we can begin to think about our own emotions and others' emotions.
2. Get into nature and move.
Being outside, feeling the sense of awe that something is bigger than we are, inspires us to want to be our best. Taking a hike, bike ride, or swim helps us relieve stress and clears our minds from distraction. Set an intention or focus for your next adventure outside. Notice how your body feels physically and also emotionally before, during, and after. By taking the time to get into nature and move, we can begin to understand our emotions better.
3. Get some sleep.
We all know what happens when a child gets cranky and tired. They begin to whine, they stop listening, and they simply aren't very nice. The same thing happens with adults. We need our sleep to function and get along well with others. Make sure you are getting 7-8 hours of sleep. During the day, take a 10-20 minute nap in the car, at your desk, on the couch, or wherever you are. Set your timer, and don't press snooze. Feeling rested and energized is a key to thinking clearly and noticing what's going on emotionally.
