The 9 best exercises and activities to work on emotions

Emotions have a fundamental importance in the development of human experiences. They are our way of expression and sometimes they can be more important than words. If words are not accompanied by appropriate emotions, they are hardly believed. Normally, when we express something with emotion we use gestures, images, verbal metaphors and tones of voice to better communicate with other people. They help us understand and express much more than words alone, when emotions are congruent with these words. That is why working on emotions is so important.

The biological design that governs our emotional spectrum has been present in us for more than fifty thousand generations and has successfully contributed to our survival as a species. Therefore, we have to work on this aspect, because in many cases this biological design is out of date with current reality.

Each of us comes equipped with automatic reaction programs or a series of biological predispositions to action. However, our life experiences will shape our responses to emotional stimuli. And this is what we have to work on to achieve our emotional balance.

If we think carefully about the significance of our emotions, we will quickly realize that there are many occasions in which they decisively influence our lives, even if we do not realize it. It is important to recognize the way our mood affects our behavior., what are our capabilities and what are our weaknesses. We might be surprised by how little we know each other.

Do our emotions dominate us?

When we are emotionally intelligent people we let events influence us, but not dominate us. Emotional self-control allows us to manage our feelings or emotions, so that they do not decide.

It is not uncommon for us to get angry with our partner, friends, family and co-workers. However, If we were slaves to emotions we would continually be acting irresponsibly or impulsively., and then we might regret it. In this sense, if we do not know where these emotions arise from or why we are experiencing them, it will probably lead us to a state of confusion.

Think that nothing makes us feel as human as emotions. So human and so dependent. When a powerful feeling floods us, it is capable of occupying almost all the space in our mind and consuming a good part of our time. If that feeling is undesirable, there is only one quick way to eliminate it, to get it out of our mind: another emotion, another stronger feeling, incompatible with the one we want to banish.

Controlling our emotions is not so much about victories or rational impositions nor in the repression or control of one’s own emotions, as in the fit or coupling of our emotions and our reasoning. That is, in a balance between different mental processes.

People with high emotional intelligence know that managing and working on emotions does not mean repressing them.. However, they also know that, when we are in the company of other people, we must take into account the way in which they interpret what we express. Balance is the key in interactions.

So that emotions do not dominate us, among other ideas, It must be clear that human needs go far beyond physiological needs.such as food or drink, and include others of an emotional nature.

Monitoring this aspect of our own psychology will allow us to improve the “diagnoses” we make about possible emotional conflicts. That is why People with high emotional intelligence become accustomed to reflecting on what they feel and being consistent with the conclusions they reach in this reflection.

Working on emotions through art

The arts, like all non-verbal expression, favor the exploration, expression and communication of aspects of which we are not aware. Working on emotions through art therapy improves the quality of human relationships because it focuses on the emotional factor, essential in every human being, helping us to be more aware of dark aspects, and thus facilitating the development of the person.

Through art we enhance our capacity for non-verbal communication. Art can help us express and communicate feelings, facilitating reflection, communication and possible changes in behavior. Art therapy is a type of help that uses art as a therapeutic way to improve possible psychological disorders, especially those that have to do with anxiety: in this sense, art can be a great way to channel it.

But, in addition to the therapeutic impact it could have, Art therapy is a technique for personal development, self-knowledge and emotional expression. Therefore, it is not necessary to have any psychological disorder, but simply feel the need to explore ourselves through art and begin to work on emotions. Art therapy trains and strengthens allowing:

Express feelings that are difficult to talk about, thus providing a means of communication. Have a more accessible verbal expression. Increase self-esteem and confidence.

Information filtering techniques

It is impossible for us to be rationally or linearly aware of all activities. and all the information we have around us. When we drive, for example, primary attention is oriented towards the central activity: looking ahead and controlling the car. But, at the same time and unconsciously, we hear the noise of the engine, we change gears, we think about aspects of the past or future.

To simplify conscious thought there are three creative mechanisms fundamental to organize information and experience; filter, generalize and distort. These mechanisms reduce information, prioritizing, excluding, making decisions and are the basis of all learning.

The mechanisms that organize information are the basis for understanding where our emotions arise from. If we filter only negative information from everything that happens to us, these mechanisms can probably lead us to experience anxious states. If, on the other hand, we filter more closely and make fewer generalizations in the personal sphere, it would be easier for us to experience healthy emotions, both negative and positive.

How to enhance our emotional intelligence?

The very idea of ​​what emotional intelligence is suggests that it can be trained through routines. If emotional intelligence is, ultimately, our ability to manage and work on emotions successfully and we make the way in which these emotions appear vary, we will also be transforming the challenge of facing them into something else.

Unlike IQ, which remains almost the same throughout life, Emotional intelligence can be developed and honed over time. We can and must learn to develop our emotional intelligence through the techniques that psychology offers us.

Working on emotions is not a simple task. However, although it is a complicated task, it is not impossible. To enhance our emotional intelligence and work on emotions we have to be willing to experience all kinds of emotions, without repressing any. If we ignore or repress our feelings, we are ignoring important information that has a great effect on our thinking and behavior.

Techniques to develop and enhance emotional intelligence

In addition to the 2 mentioned (attentional filtering and art therapy) there are many other small actions that help develop emotional intelligence. You can see them below:

Observe our emotional reactions during the events of the day. It is easy to postpone the feelings of what you experience on a daily basis, but taking the time to recognize how your experiences make you feel is essential to improving emotional intelligence.Pay attention to your body. Instead of ignoring the physical manifestations of your emotions, start listening to them. Our minds and bodies are not separate entities, rather they affect each other at a very deep level. You can raise your emotional intelligence by learning to interpret the signals from your body that tell you the kind of emotions you feel. Avoid judging your own emotions. All our emotions are valid, even the negative ones. If we judge our emotions, we inhibit our ability to feel fully, which will make it more difficult for us to harness our emotions in positive ways. All of our emotions are a new piece of useful information that are connected to some event in your personal world. Without that information, we would have no idea how to react appropriately.Being open and pleasant goes hand in hand with emotional intelligence. A closed mind is often an indicator of lower emotional intelligence. When you have an open mind through understanding and internal reflection, it is easier to deal with conflicts in a calm and confident way. Observe the effect you have on others. To raise emotional intelligence, understanding the emotions of others is half the battle. We will also have to understand the effect we have on others. Reduce stress levels by raising our emotional intelligence. Stress is a broad term that refers to the distress felt due to a wide variety of emotions. There are a huge number of causes that trigger stress, which could turn any daily problem into something much more challenging than it really is. If we are very stressed, it will be difficult for us to behave in the way we would like.Empathy. Being a more active listener and paying real attention to what others say will help us have a better understanding of their feelings. When we can use that information to make decisions and m
improving our relationships will be an unequivocal sign that our emotional intelligence is in good health.

Emotional intelligence involves more than controlling feelings and working on emotions. It also involves the ability to control oneself.

Benefits of emotional intelligence

To conclude, we leave you a list of benefits that you will begin to realize…