10 strategies emotionally intelligent people use to keep their cool in difficult situations
Emotional Intelligence is all about understanding and managing our feelings. People who have it are really good at keeping their cool.
They don’t let tough times get to them.
How do they do it?
Well, sit tight because we’re about to uncover 10 strategies they use.
Ready to learn their secrets? Let’s go!
1) They practice mindfulness
Staying present in the moment is key to maintaining calm.
Instead of worrying about what happened yesterday or what’s going to happen tomorrow, they keep their focus on the here and now.
This doesn’t mean they don’t plan for the future or learn from the past, but they don’t let those things steal away their peace in the present moment.
To be more mindful, you might want to try meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or simply taking a few minutes each day to appreciate your surroundings.
It might not seem like much, but these little moments of mindfulness can make a big difference in your overall emotional balance.
2) They don’t take things personally
They understand that not everything is about them and people’s actions or words are often more about the other person than them.
When someone is rude to them or things don’t go their way, they don’t let it shake their confidence or ruin their day.
They let it slide off like water off a duck’s back.
Remember – what other people say or do is a reflection of them, not you. Don’t let it get to you, and keep your cool.
3) They use positive self-talk
This is something I’ve found incredibly helpful in my own life.
When they’re facing a challenge, they don’t beat themselves up with negative thoughts.
Instead, they encourage themselves, reminding themselves of their past successes and their ability to handle whatever comes their way.
I remember a time when I was preparing for a big presentation at work. I was pretty nervous and doubts started creeping into my mind.
But instead of letting them take over, I told myself, “You’ve done this before and you did great. You can do it again.”
It really helped to calm my nerves and boost my confidence.
Next time you’re in a tough spot, try talking to yourself like you would to a good friend.
Be supportive, encouraging, and patient with yourself. You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make!
4) They maintain a healthy lifestyle
Emotionally intelligent people understand the strong connection between physical health and emotional well-being.
That’s why they strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular physical exercise, balanced diet, and sufficient sleep.
Here’s an interesting fact: according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, regular physical exercise has been found to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
Essentially, exercise acts like a natural anti-anxiety treatment!
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, instead of reaching for that bag of chips or spending hours in front of the TV, why not go for a walk or do some yoga?
Your body and your mind will thank you.
5) They practice empathy
They recognize that everyone is fighting their own battles, often ones we know nothing about.
This understanding allows them to respond to difficult situations with kindness and compassion, rather than anger or frustration.
Imagine a scenario where someone cuts you off in traffic.
Instead of honking your horn in anger, consider for a moment that perhaps they’re rushing to the hospital or they’ve just had the worst day of their life.
Responding with empathy rather than anger can significantly reduce your own stress levels and make the world a slightly kinder place.
It’s easy to be kind when others are kind to you.
The real test of character is being kind when others are not.
Try responding with empathy. It might not change the other person’s behavior, but it will certainly change how you feel about the situation.
6) They have a go-to relaxation technique
This could be anything from deep-breathing exercises, to yoga, to listening to calming music.
For me, it’s playing the piano.
I’ve been playing since I was a kid and there’s just something about the feel of the keys under my fingers that calms me down.
Whenever I’m feeling particularly stressed or overwhelmed, I sit down at my piano and play for a while.
It doesn’t really matter what your relaxation technique is, as long as it works for you.
Find something that helps you relax and make sure you have access to it when you need a quick dose of calm.
7) They aren’t afraid to say no
Let’s get real here for a minute.
Emotionally intelligent people aren’t superheroes; they’re just like you and me.
They get tired, they get overwhelmed, and they know their limits.
One of the most important ways they keep their cool is by not being afraid to say no when they need to.
They understand that they can’t do everything for everyone all the time.
Saying yes when you really want to say no only leads to stress and burnout.
It’s not selfish—it’s self-care, and it’s crucial for maintaining your emotional balance.
8) They keep a gratitude journal
Emotionally intelligent people often make a habit of focusing on the positive things in their life.
One way they do this is by keeping a gratitude journal.
At the end of each day, they jot down a few things they’re grateful for.
Here’s a fascinating fact: research shows that regularly practicing gratitude can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Individuals who wrote down what they were grateful for each week were more optimistic and felt better about their lives overall.
So, why not give it a try?
Start your own gratitude journal and see if it helps you stay cool in difficult situations.
It’s easy, it’s free, and it might just make you happier!
9) They seek support when they need it
This is something that took me a while to learn.
We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed, unsure, or just plain stuck. It’s during these times that seeking support can be invaluable.
I remember a time when I was dealing with a particularly challenging situation at work.
I felt like I was drowning in stress and didn’t know what to do.
Finally, I reached out to a mentor of mine.
Just talking through the situation with her helped me see things from a different perspective and come up with a solution.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.
It shows that you know your limits and are brave enough to reach out when you need it.
10) They know perfection is a myth
Let’s be brutally honest here. Emotionally intelligent people know that nobody is perfect – not them, not you, not anyone.
They understand that making mistakes is part of being human.
When things go wrong, they don’t waste their energy beating themselves up over it.
Instead, they see it as a chance to learn, grow, and do better next time.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Acknowledge the mistake, learn what you can from it, and then let it go.
Remember, striving for improvement is healthy, striving for perfection is not.
