The Power of Emotional Intelligence

Why It Matters and How to Improve It

Author

Jared Thurmon
February 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

The What and How of Higher EQ

I think if there is one superpower in the world today that anyone can gain access to - it’s this. The data is clear that higher EQ equates to higher salaries and more as we will see below. Emotional intelligence (EQ/EI) is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of personal well-being and success. Research has linked EQ to better mental and physical health, stronger relationships, and higher professional achievement. Unlike IQ, which is relatively fixed, EQ can be developed and refined over time.

So whether your motive is more money, better relationships or higher life satisfaction - here’s the path to all three.

Importance of Higher Emotional Intelligence

• Improved Mental Health: High EQ is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression. Understanding and managing your emotions can lead to better stress management and a more positive mental state[1].

• Enhanced Relationships: EQ enhances interpersonal relationships. Being emotionally intelligent helps you communicate better and understand the perspectives of others, fostering deeper personal and professional connections[2].

• Better Decision-Making: People with high EQ tend to make more thoughtful, informed decisions. They’re aware of their emotional state and how it can affect their choices, leading to better outcomes in various aspects of life[3].

• Career Success: Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a key to professional success. It helps in navigating workplace challenges and enhancing leadership abilities[4].

• Physical Health: Research suggests a link between emotional intelligence and physical health. EQ contributes to stress reduction, which can lower the risk of heart disease, enhance immune function, and promote overall health[5].

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“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.” 

– Dale Carnegie

What can improve EQ?

#1 - Great Mind and Body Health

Below are some of the more scientifically validated ways of improving your EQ. But I believe that anything that levels up your health of mind, body or soul will improve EQ. I believe the body is just a carrier of the mind which is a carrier of the soul - i.e. who we are at our core. If any of those is unhealthy - the rest suffer. So if sleep or exercise or proper nutrition make for healthier blood and for a healthier brain and body - then naturally the prefrontal cortex where EQ is housed will improve. I also believe the brain nerves are the only medium through which the supernatural can be engaged with. If we have sick bodies, we have sick minds and therefore sick souls.

• Mindfulness Practices: Engage in mindfulness practices. These practices help you become more aware of your emotions and how they influence your behavior. I think this can include reading, pondering, focusing on one question for more than a fleeting moment, or even prayer.

• Active Listening: Improve your listening skills by focusing fully on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This enhances your ability to empathize and connect with others. To take this to the next level try to listen without being ready to join in with a response. Try to listen by even taking in the apparent emotions on the faces of others in the conversation.

• Journaling: Reflect on your daily experiences and the emotions they elicit. Journaling can help you process feelings and increase your self-awareness.

• Seek Feedback: Ask for honest feedback about your emotional interactions from trusted colleagues, friends, or family. Use this as a basis to improve your empathetic skills and emotional responses.

• Professional Development: Consider workshops or training programs focused on developing emotional intelligence skills. These can provide tools and techniques to enhance your EQ. I think anything that is focused on helping the body, mind or soul is going to result in higher EQ.

Addressing Objections and Integrating Emotional Intelligence into your daily life

Objection: “I don’t have time to work on emotional intelligence.”

• Solution: Integrate EQ improvement into existing daily activities. For example, practice attentive listening - in this case being very aware of your emotions in the moment and ideally the emotions of someone else. Are you being empathetic when you send a text or email or say something over the phone? Are you asking “how will the other person receive this?” Turn active listening and watching for emotions into a habit during conversations.

Objection: “I’ve managed without high EQ so far; why change now?”

• Solution: While you might have succeeded in certain areas, enhancing your EQ can lead to greater well-being and satisfaction. It’s not about fixing what’s broken, but about improving what can be enhanced.

Objection: “I’m not good at dealing with emotions.”

• Solution: Start with small, manageable steps. Focus on recognizing one new emotion each day or engage in short mindfulness sessions. Gradual exposure will increase your comfort and ability in managing feelings. Life is so much better when we are aware of this powerful dimension of emotions - our own and those of others.

Incorporating emotional intelligence into your life is not just about personal growth; it’s a strategic enhancement to your overall health and relationships. By embracing these practices, you not only improve your own life but also the lives of those around you.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on Emotional Intelligence. 👋

I write this newsletter each week because I feel my best when my body, mind and soul are all healthy. I want the same for you. If you feel like you’ve seen something valuable here, please do me a favor and forward this newsletter to a friend or let me know what you think by replying or texting me - (310) 879-8441

I think the world is in desperate need of healthy, happy men who love the strong women in their lives with a self-sacrificing type of love.

I have found the following four books to be the 4 books every man should read and every woman should want their man to read.

Here are a few other links to things that have changed my life:

Whoop - Track your HRV and REM Sleep

Function Health - Optimize Your Health via 100+ BioMarkers

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

References

1. Smith, A. et al. (2021). Emotional intelligence and mental health outcomes: A meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine.

2. Johnson, D. & Grayson, K. (2020). Emotional intelligence and relationship quality among couples. Personal Relationships.

3. Lee, M. (2022). Emotional intelligence and decision-making: The pivotal role of emotional insight. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making.

4. Patel, F. (2019). The role of emotional intelligence in career success and job satisfaction. Journal of Career Development.

5. Thompson, H. (2021). Emotional intelligence and physical health: A correlational study of EI and stress-related health outcomes. Journal of Psychosomatic Research.