It’s normal to feel emotions when your days are tough. People with high emotional intelligence know themselves well enough to notice and deal with these feelings, calming themselves down before things get too overwhelming. If you are struggling to handle your emotions in a tough situation and you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry. Here are some things that emotionally intelligent people do when they feel overwhelmed.
1. They seek support.
When people feel stressed, emotionally intelligent people often look for help. Many folks hesitate because they worry about bothering others or seeming weak. But asking for support is a sign of strength. They ask for help from close friends, family, or people involved in the situation who can benefit from helping them. When they share their thoughts and feelings, they get different viewpoints and ideas, making it easier to find a better solution than if they tried to handle it alone. They strengthen their connection with those who help them and build trustworthy relationships.
2. They set healthy boundaries.
It’s important to set healthy boundaries to handle stress well, and intelligent people know it’s vital to look after themselves. They get that it’s okay to say “no” when needed it’s not being mean or causing trouble, but showing they care about themselves and respect their needs. When they set clear boundaries, they avoid getting overwhelmed and focus their energy on what counts.
3. They cultivate a sense of humor.
Emotionally intelligent people can make tough times easier by finding humor and making things lighter, even when stressed. They know that laughter is great for beating stress and can change how you see things. Of course, there are times when joking around isn’t right. But in many situations, it can ease tension and make things more positive. You don’t have to be miserable just because you’ve got a problem! When you’re happy, you can think more clearly and figure things out better, so it’s really useful, too.
4. They practice self-care.
Many people often push themselves too hard, skip meals, and lose sleep when trying to fix their problems. But emotionally intelligent people know that looking after themselves is essential, especially when things are tough. They make sure to take care of themselves first, setting aside time for things that recharge them and make them happy. And don’t forget, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary so you can be your best self and handle stress well.
5. They recognize and acknowledge their emotions.
The first way emotionally intelligent people handle stress differently is by recognizing and accepting their emotions. They permit themselves to feel whatever emotions arise without judgment, knowing that every feeling is valid and serves a purpose. By acknowledging their emotions, people can better navigate challenging situations, communicate effectively, and take appropriate actions to address their needs. Being emotionally intelligent means you’re doing everyone a favor by understanding your feelings. This helps you handle stress and emotions better, benefiting both yourself and those around you.
6. They make sure to communicate effectively.
Emotionally intelligent people know they are not perfect. They know everyone has weaknesses. That’s why they’re extra careful about how they talk when things get stressful. They think ahead about what they want to say, focusing on the conversation’s purpose and avoiding getting dragged into small fights. They share their needs and worries clearly and nicely and ask questions to understand the other person’s perspective. They also pick their words wisely, thinking about how they might affect others.
7. They practice perspective-taking.
Many people tend to overlook this crucial aspect when dealing with stress unless they possess emotional intelligence. Perspective-taking entails empathetically considering the feelings of others involved in the situation. It’s rare because many people focus on their worries, anxieties, and stress. That matters most to them, and they don’t even consider how someone else might feel.
From what I’ve seen, trying to see things from someone else’s perspective eases the pressure instead of making it worse. When I do this, it helps me realize that the people around me mean well. It also helps me naturally work together with them instead of seeing things as a battle between us. And I’ve noticed that this approach helps solve problems much more smoothly.
8. They focus on solutions rather than problems.
When things get stressful, it’s simple to focus on the bad and keep thinking about the issues. But emotionally intelligent people handle it differently. Instead of worrying about what’s wrong or the problems ahead, they think about finding answers. They use their energy to come up with ideas, look at things from different angles, and figure out what they can do to make progress.
9. They show their authenticity and vulnerability when appropriate.
Emotionally intelligent people know what to share, how much, and when to share. This helps others understand them better and see their human side. Not always being perfect and trying to please everyone takes a lot of pressure off. It gives them room to breathe when things don’t go as expected, schedules aren’t kept, or a surprise problem arises.
10. They’re aware of what triggers them.
Sometimes, things happen that trigger us. These moments occur when someone says or does something that stirs up strong feelings in us. Those feelings arise because the situation reminds us of something from our past, even if we don’t realize it. Emotionally intelligent people know their feelings and understand where they come from, so they’re not usually surprised by them. They have plans to deal with those moments when they feel triggered.
11. They choose to stay calm in volatile situations.
Emotionally intelligent people understand that reacting angrily to anger will make things worse. They stay calm, listen, and stay positive, which helps calm tense situations and prevent them from worsening. When they feel attacked, they calmly and firmly establish their boundaries. By putting their egos aside, they see the situation more clearly.
12. They take time to respond rather than react.
When our emotions take over, we risk reacting based solely on those emotions. Emotionally intelligent people know their feelings and recognize when they need a break. They step back from the situation and give themselves time to think things over before returning to deal with it using their rational thinking.
13. They’re self-aware.
One of the best things about emotionally intelligent people is that they know themselves well. They know their strengths and their weaknesses, too. This helps them see all sides of a problem and understand both their own feelings and others’. With this insight, they can choose a better way forward. Your intelligence won’t take you very far if you don’t know yourself well, can’t handle your challenging feelings, lack empathy, and struggle with relationships.
14. They don’t hide behind masks.
When stressed, especially at work, we hide our honest thoughts and feelings to avoid challenging situations. But this can lead us to say things we don’t mean or cause problems we didn’t mean to. Emotionally intelligent people who understand emotions always stay true to themselves. They don’t back down when things get tough because they handle everything with honesty, openness, and staying calm. Focusing, controlling your emotions, staying quiet, and thinking clearly will help you be genuine.
