How to Improve Employee Mental Health with Emotional Intelligence

Sushanta Das
5 min readJul 1, 2022

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When it comes to our mental health, most of us are our own worst critics. We often don’t give ourselves enough credit when we’re feeling good, and we beat ourselves up when we’re not doing great. This tendency can be amplified in the workplace, where high expectations and stress are common. But there is good news: by learning to harness our emotional intelligence, we can improve our mental health and increase productivity. In this article, we will explore three ways to do just that.

What is emotional intelligence? It’s the ability to be aware of and understand our own emotions and the emotions of others. It’s about being able to regulate our emotions, respond effectively to emotions in others, and create positive relationships.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

It’s no secret that stress can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional health. But did you know that it can also affect our physical health? Chronic stress can lead to a host of problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even depression.

That’s why it’s so important to find ways to manage stress in our lives. And one of the best ways to do that is through emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence can be a powerful tool when it comes to managing stress. Here are some ways to use it:

1. Identify your triggers. What are the things that tend to trigger your stress? It could be certain people, situations, or environments. Once you know your triggers, you can try to avoid them or be prepared for them when they occur.

2. Be aware of your emotions. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and why. This will help you better understand your reactions to stressors and find ways to cope.

3. Communicate effectively. When you’re feeling stressed, communicate openly and honestly with those around you. This can help reduce misunderstandings and conflict and allow you to express your needs.

4. Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself is crucial for managing stress. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat a healthy diet. And don’t forget to take breaks when you need them.

5. Seek support. When stress is getting the best of you, reach out to family, friends, or a professional for support. Talking to someone who understands can make a world of difference.

Emotional intelligence isn’t just about managing stress, though. It’s also associated with greater life satisfaction, happiness, and success in work and relationships.

SELF-PERCEPTION

Self-perception plays a big role in emotional intelligence. Those who have a positive self-perception are more likely to be successful in managing their emotions. They are able to see themselves as capable of handling difficult situations and are more likely to take on new challenges. They also tend to have a growth mindset, which means they believe their abilities can be developed through effort and practice. On the other hand, people with a negative self-perception are more likely to give up when faced with difficulties. They may see themselves as not good enough and feel like they will never be able to improve. This can lead to a fixed mindset, where someone believes their abilities are set in stone and cannot be changed.

There are a few things you can do to improve your self-perception.

  • First, becoming aware of your thoughts and beliefs about yourself is important. If you notice negative thoughts about yourself, try to challenge them. For example, if you believe you are not good enough, ask yourself why you believe that. Is there evidence to support this belief? If not, try reframing your thinking and focusing on your positive qualities. It is also helpful to set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. This will help you to see yourself as capable and competent.
  • Finally, it is important to surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you and your ability to succeed. These people can provide encouragement and motivation when you are struggling.

SELF-EXPRESSION

Self-expression is a critical component of emotional intelligence. It allows us to communicate our thoughts and feelings healthily, without bottling them up. When we can express ourselves freely, we’re more likely to feel heard and understood by others. This can lead to improved relationships at work and in our personal lives.

There are many ways to express ourselves, both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal self-expression includes things like talking to a friend or family member about our problems, journaling, or even seeing a therapist or counsellor. Nonverbal self-expression can be through art, music, dance, or any other creative outlet that allows us to express our emotions.

Some people find it easier to express themselves nonverbally, while others find verbal self-expression more natural. There is no right or wrong way to express yourself — the important thing is that you’re doing it in a way that feels comfortable and healthy. If you’re unsure how to get started, many resources are available to help you explore different ways of self-expression.

INTERPERSONAL

There are a few key things that you can do to improve employee mental health with emotional intelligence.

  • First, be aware of your emotions and how they affect your interactions with others.
  • Second, strive to create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.
  • Finally, be available to employees when they need support and help them develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress.

By taking these steps, you can create a workplace that supports employee mental health and helps prevent burnout.

DECISION MAKING

Decision-making is a fundamental skill for emotional intelligence. The ability to make effective decisions can mean the difference between success and failure in our personal and professional lives.

Making decisions can be difficult, but there are some specific things you can do to improve your decision-making skills.

  • First, it’s important to understand that there is no perfect way to make decisions. Instead, the best approach is to use a variety of different methods, depending on the situation.
  • One popular method is called cost-benefit analysis. This involves weighing each option’s potential costs and benefits before deciding. This can be helpful when you’re trying to decide whether or not to take a new job, for example.
  • Another common method is called decision tree analysis. This involves creating a diagram that shows all of the possible outcomes of a decision and then choose the option with the best chance of leading to the desired outcome.

If you want to improve your decision-making skills, it’s important to practice using different methods. The more experience you have, the better you’ll become at making effective decisions.

WARP UP

Improving employee mental health is critical for the success of any organization. Implementing emotional intelligence training can help your employees better understand and manage their emotions. This will lead to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone. Contact a certified professional business coach in Malaysia for more information about business management training programs if you’re looking for ways to improve employee mental health.

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Sushanta Das
Sushanta Das

Written by Sushanta Das

I am a blogger and like to write blogs.

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