Tend To Yourself Thursday {11/14}: How To Develop Emotional Intelligence With A Mind-Body Technique

Have you ever felt something stirring inside but couldn’t quite name it? That nameless feeling that sits in your chest or stomach, asking for attention? I used to struggle with vague, unsettling emotions I couldn’t identify, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected.

Lately I’ve been thinking about emotional intelligence (EQ), and how it can support us through the holidays. EQ is the ability to recognize, understand, and respond to our emotions and those of others as we navigate relationships.

Being able to name our emotions with precision – what we call emotional granularity – is like having a more extensive emotional vocabulary. The more specific we can be, the better able we are to respond to our needs, express ourselves, and empathize with others.

For instance, instead of just feeling “bad,” we might recognize we’re feeling “disappointed,” “uncertain,” or “overwhelmed.” Each of these feelings calls for different responses, different kinds of care.

Mindfulness and somatic awareness can help us in developing this skill. Our bodies often know what we’re feeling before our minds can name it. That flutter in your stomach, that tightness in your shoulders – these physical sensations are doorways to understanding our emotional landscape.

I invite you to try this simple practice right now:

Take a gentle breath and close your eyes if you’d like.
Scan your body slowly.
Notice any sensations that stand out.
See if you can name one feeling or sensation you’re experiencing. Maybe it’s the pressure of the chair underneath you. Remember, there’s no right or wrong – just awareness.

With all the noise of this time disconnecting us from our bodies, this practice, when done regularly, helps us tune into self, and build a bridge between physical sensations and emotional awareness, between mind and body.

If you need support approaching your emotions with curiosity and care, contact me.

Warmly,
Elana

P.S. Notice what shifts when you give your feelings a name, even if it’s just “unnamed stirring” for now.