Where do we come from? What are we and where are we going? As we grow and change both in our individual or professional lives, these are questions we all ask ourselves. This means, personal development is a supreme obligation because that is the only way we would be able to answer these questions.
If someone asks you, “are you emotionally mature”? Your answer may be right or wrong depending on your level of emotional development. Much of our problems with performance and productivity can be traced to the lack of emotional intelligence. The emotional aspect of personal development includes the ability to understand and manage our feelings, especially in high-pressure situations.
Have we learned what feelings and emotions are, understanding how and why they occur, recognizing our own feelings and those of others, and developing effective ways for managing those feelings?
You need to know how well you manage your thoughts and feelings when meeting challenges in your life. A person with good emotional health is aware, resilient, and feels good about herself. Good emotional health does not mean that you are always happy. It means that you can manage the ups and downs of life.
Last week, we concluded our topic on STRESS MANAGEMENT and it will do you well to know that you can not get rid of stress entirely; you can only enjoy it by managing it so when you have emotional well-being, you can be more calm even in the eye of a storm. Emotional well-being makes you resilient to stress.
When you have good emotional health, you enjoy high self-regard and self-esteem. You will be more enthusiastic about life. Here is what I mean, hatred and resentment are two negative emotions that harbor a good part of our emotions. They fester until they leave a gaping hole within ourselves. As a person, if you experience these two emotions in multiple situations, and bear that pressure with you for long, you will not realize that these emotions are only eating away from your inner peace until the day you learn to let go, and that is the day you will gain emotional strength.
Instead, stop and think, “Why am I feeling this? Is the festering anger going to change the situation? Will it benefit me in any way or improve the situation?”
9 out of 10 times, you get an answer to these above questions almost immediately which will help you move on from the negative emotions.
Expressing your emotions in healthy ways can help you manage it.
⦁ Talking to others is one of the best methods of getting your feelings out.
⦁ Writing about your feelings is also helpful.
⦁ Cry if you need to.
⦁ Release the tension. (Take slow, deep breaths, listen to music, take a quick walk, give yourself a hand massage, count backwards, stretch)
⦁ Give yourself some space from others.
⦁ Practice mindfulness.
⦁ Go to the gym or exercise.
Next week, we will focus more on signs of Emotional Maturity/Immaturity and tips for Emotional Personal Development. Stay tuned.
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