Why higher emotional intelligence boosts happiness
Emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to understand and control our emotions, as well as being sensitive to others’ feelings, nurtures our relationships and boosts our empathy.
This can lead to stronger social connections. And as we age, our social bonds become even more vital to our well-being. With higher emotional intelligence, you’re also better equipped to grasp and empathize with the emotions of others, fostering deeper, more fulfilling relationships.
Here’s how my emotional intelligence has grown since I’ve gotten older:
1. I feel more compassion for others
As I age, I’ve softened … and not just around my belly. I experience less ego and more soul. I feel more deeply for others’ life circumstances.
Fortunately, I am able to direct some of that increased compassion toward myself as well.
2. I am less emotionally reactive and more emotionally fluent
When I was younger, I had a kind of emotional vertigo; my emotions constantly made me feel imbalanced and uneasy. I didn’t know how to dance with them. In fact, I often tried to outrun my emotions.
Today, I don’t sweat the small stuff. I’m able to positively reappraise negative experiences, like getting stuck in traffic in an Uber (interpretation: great chance to meditate).
Simultaneously, my enhanced ability to recognize my patterns, habits, and tendencies allows me to observe myself more effectively.
3. I don’t take things so personally
Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of “The Four Agreements,” says: “There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.”
This skill is particularly valuable in our polarized, “cancel culture” era.
4. I have a better understanding of how to create my ideal habitats
Social scientists call this “environmental mastery,” or the ability to determine which environments one will flourish in — and the capacity to adjust and adapt to changes in those habitats.
This also speaks to why, in the workplace, older people…
Read the full article here
