Manage your stress and improve your emotional intelligence - Step 1 Notice Stress triggers

When we’re under high levels of stress, rational thinking and decision making go out the window. Runaway stress overwhelms the mind and body, getting in the way of our ability to accurately “read” a situation, hear what someone else is saying, be aware of our own feelings and needs, and communicate clearly.

The first key skill of emotional intelligence is the ability to quickly calm yourself down when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Being able to manage stress in the moment is the key to resilience.

Realize when you’re stressed – The first step to reducing stress is recognizing what stress feels like. Many of us spend so much time in an unbalanced state that we’ve forgotten what it feels like to be calm and relaxed.

Today be consciously aware of when you are stressed and note it by an outward act. For example; If you have a ring on your hand then twirl it on your finger when you feel stress, tap your fingers or choose another active method to signal stress. You may already have a bad habit that identifies a stress trigger like biting your nails. If you have a bad stress indicator try changing it to something non-damaging.

Consciously and purposefully signaling your stress will allow you to better manage it.

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