Emotional health is an important factor in daily life. The emotionally healthy know how to control their emotions and behavior. Because of this, they can handle life’s surprises and demands. They can overcome obstacles and benefit from strong relationships and the achieving of goals. Overall, they tend to be fulfilled and happy. This quality of life can sometimes evade those with anxiety disorders. It is replaced by a constant fear and dread that leads to unpleasant emotions and poor stress management.

To build emotional health, it is important that you develop emotional intelligence. Research suggests that emotional intelligence is a more important factor to success in life than intellectual intelligence, otherwise known as IQ (intelligence quotient). People who are emotionally intelligent are strong in several capabilities. They have the self-awareness to be conscious of their emotions and their impact, and use rational thinking to make decisions. They are able to control their emotions and are malleable to changes in circumstances. They are comfortable socially and are sensitive and understanding to the emotions of others. Their reactions reflect this understanding. Emotionally intelligent people can also maintain strong positive relationships, even while managing conflict.

Emotional intelligence does not prevent people from experiencing sadness, anger. Nor are they immune to life’s disappointments and frustrations. Rather, they are equipped with the tools to handle these emotions effectively and prevent them from affecting their relationships and ambitions. They can bounce back from life’s setbacks and emerge stronger, more resilient individuals.

It is important that you recognize the emotions that you exert in a variety of situations. People with low emotional intelligence may not realize the impact of their words and emotions. Being unaware of how your emotions affect others, this may lead to miscommunication and feelings of helplessness, confusion, and mistrust. You may say things meaning to be humorous, but instead becoming offensive. The discomfort you cause others may make you seem unattractive or unwelcoming in their eyes, even if your intention is just the opposite.Emotional intelligence helps to build stronger relationships as you develop skills to build trust, seem interesting to others, respond to others emphatically, improve nonverbal communication, and resolve conflicts and mend wounds successfully.

Though some people seem to be born with emotional intelligence, there are many steps a person can take to improve their overall emotional wellbeing. These steps require honest self-observation and seeking constructive advice from friends, family, and others with whom you interact.

• Step 1: Learn how to bring yourself under control very quickly. People with anxiety, as well as others, are given to knee-jerk responses to stressful situations. Recognizing stressors and how you respond to them is important. Using this knowledge, you can find a way to calm down rapidly and dependably. This will vary from person to person. Some people will visualize a happy place, others will immediately walk away from a situation to relax before returning. Some other stress reducers include counting to ten and deep breathing.


• Step 2: Learn how to recognize and manage core emotions. Knee-jerk reactions usually indicate unexpressed deep emotions about a situation or person. Exploring how you really feel about people and things helps you to know yourself better, be able to read the emotions and needs of others, and be assertive about your feelings. It also helps you to realize the bonds you have with other people. For example, knowing deep down that you love a family member can prevent you from acting inappropriately.


• Step 3: Know the nonverbal signals that you send out and alter them to attract the attention and interest of others. Even the friendliest people seem less approachable with their arms crossed. Sometimes people who want to be open and interactive may drive others away with their tone of voice, eye contact, hand movement, and other unworded expressions. You may want to videotape yourself in an interaction with others to see what others see when they try to approach you. Smiling more, being softer in tone, and being more loose with your arms and legs are some of the steps you can take to improve the way you communicate with others.


• Step 4: Share in love and humor. Being playful and humorous with others is another step you can take to building your emotional intelligence. This is sometimes difficult for those with anxiety disorders as they are preoccupied with pessimism. However, having moments of mutual happiness is a great way to release stress and strengthen bonds.


• Step 5: Deal with conflict appropriately. Anyone who has been in an argument knows that shouting, baseless accusations, and namecalling do not resolve a conflict successfully. Emotionally healthy people know how to deal with conflicts positively without becoming critical, comtemptful, or defensive. They also are usually able to resolve situations and keep relationships and emotions intact.

A person with emotional intelligence is strong in a variety of areas.