Hajja Salesjana July-September 2021

It-tfal g˙adhom iç-Çentru ta' ˙ajjitna? minn Jeanine Balzan Engerer B. Psy (Hons), PGCE Timely Reflections Emotional Intelligence by Jeanine Tanti M.Couns, P.G.C.E, B.Psy (Hons) 34 H AJJA S ALESJANA Have you ever felt exhausted after reacting to a situation? Maybe you think that you could have reacted differently? Many people react without thinking and this happens because emotions are very powerful and may disrupt our thinking process. Different types of emotions influence the decisions we make. For example, have you ever made a decision because you were happy or because you felt angry at that instant, but later when the emotion passes you might doubt that decision. These situations may instill in us a sense of overwhelming sensation which may lead to stress. This is why it is important to develop a sense of reflection on what we are feeling. The ability to recognize one’s emotions, discern between different feelings, label them appropriately and recognize emotions in others is called emotional intelligence. Having high emotional intelligence has proved to influence job performance, leadership skills and better mental health. Who wouldn’t like to experience these positive qualities? The good news is that emotional intelligence can be developed at whatever stage you are in! So let’s take a look on what we can do to achieve higher emotional intelligence. The main key is conscious reflection which means becoming more aware of our feelings and what has triggered them. Let’s give it a try! Make a quick list of the emotions that you felt since you woke up this morning. • Try to identify the triggers that caused you to feel these emotions • Identify what you were doing at the time when you felt each emotion This short exercise should be repeated frequently as it will enhance your reflective skills which will increase your ability to think and start perceiving emotions accurately. Eventually this will help you connect better with those around you especially with children who are still learning how to express themselves. I encourage you to invest in yourself to become a better version of you! Photo by Anna Filippova from www.unsplash.com