Contents
How Mindfulness Helps With Emotional Intelligence
Bringing it All Together: Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence
"Mindfulness is like a microscope; it reveals things about
yourself that you never would have seen."
— Cristalle Terris
Mindfulness is a buzzword that has been floating around in the wellness and self-help communities for quite some time now. And with good reason. Mindfulness has been proven to have numerous benefits for our overall well-being, including improving our emotional intelligence. But what exactly is mindfulness, and why is it so beneficial for our emotions?
Understanding Mindfulness
When we think about mindfulness, it's natural to feel intimidated by the idea of sitting in silence for hours. But, let's break it down. Mindfulness is simply about being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment.
Contrary to popular belief, mindfulness is not about having a completely still mind. It's about getting distracted and then bringing your attention back to the present moment, what we like to call a "mindfulness sit-up." The more you practice this, the stronger you become in your mindfulness journey.
If you're new to mindfulness, don't worry about starting with long, complex practices. Instead, try incorporating shorter, simpler exercises into your daily routine. For example, take a colour walk and focus on noticing different colours as you walk. Or, try a mindful shower where you connect with your senses and let go of any distractions.
By allowing yourself to think less and feel a little more in these mindful moments, you can gain a deeper understanding of your emotions and how they influence your actions. This, in turn, can help you take a different approach to success and find contentment in your daily life.
So, next time you feel overwhelmed by the idea of mindfulness, remember: it's not about stilling your mind, it's about anchoring your awareness in the present moment and taking small steps towards improving your emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
How Mindfulness Helps With Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is all about recognising and understanding our own emotions, as well as those of others. With this ability, we can better manage our own emotions and respond in a healthy and productive way to those around us.
By incorporating mindfulness into our lives, we become more aware of our emotions and the impact they have on our thoughts and actions. This increased self-awareness allows us to understand our emotional triggers and how to respond to them in a more mindful manner.
Think about it: how many times have you had a sudden realization about a situation while in the shower, two days after a conflict?
By practising mindfulness each day even for short periods of time, we strengthen the connection between our amygdala (the part of our brain responsible for emotional responses) and our pre-frontal cortex (the part of our brain responsible for reasoning and decision-making). This means we can better regulate our emotions and respond in a way that serves us, rather than reacting impulsively thereby increasing our emotional intelligence.
Tips To Become More Mindful
Mindfulness can seem like a daunting task, but it's all about taking small steps towards becoming more self-aware and improving your emotional intelligence. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
🌱 Try a mindfulness app like Insight Timer - This app offers guided meditations and mindfulness practices that are perfect for beginners.
🌱 Experiment with different anchors - You can use anything that brings you back to the present moment, such as focusing on your breath, the colours around you, or your senses. Try out my everyday mindfulness techniques and see what works best for you.
🌱 Increase your emotional vocabulary - Print out a feelings wheel and start identifying and labelling your emotions. This will help you better understand and manage them.
🌱 Practice release writing - When you're feeling overwhelmed, try release writing. This is a powerful tool for letting go of negative thoughts and emotions.
Remember, mindfulness is a journey and not a destination. By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you'll be on your way to improving your emotional intelligence and finding more contentment, growth, and purpose.
Bringing it All Together: Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence
Mindfulness is a simple and effective tool that can help us improve our emotional intelligence and lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
It's never too late to start incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine. Start by taking a few deep breaths and paying attention to the present moment. With practice, it'll become second nature and help you make informed decisions and find contentment in life.
With Love
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