What is it about?
This chapter talks about how understanding and managing our emotions—something called emotional intelligence—can help us feel better about ourselves and our lives. It shows how being aware of our feelings is the first step to handling stress, making good decisions, and building strong relationships. The chapter explains five key parts of emotional intelligence: 1) Knowing your own emotions; 2) Staying calm and in control; 3) Staying motivated; 4) Understanding others’ feelings; 5) Getting along well with people. It focuses especially on self-awareness—really knowing what you're feeling and why. This awareness helps us stay balanced, avoid being overwhelmed by emotions, and feel more in control of our lives. The chapter also looks at real-life examples and research that show how emotional intelligence can improve both mental and physical health. It ends by suggesting that schools, workplaces, and communities should teach emotional intelligence so that more people can face life’s ups and downs with confidence and calm.
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Why is it important?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is important because it helps us understand and manage our emotions in healthy ways. When we’re emotionally intelligent, we don’t just react—we pause, reflect, and respond more thoughtfully. This helps us stay calm in difficult situations, make better choices, and connect more easily with others. Here’s why it really matters: A) Emotional intelligence helps us know ourselves better. Being aware of our emotions helps us understand what we need, what triggers us, and what makes us happy or stressed. B) Emotional intelligence reduces stress. When we can recognize our emotions early, we can manage them before they become overwhelming. C) Emotional intelligence improves our relationships and helps us listen better, empathize with others, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. D) Emotional intelligence boosts mental and physical health. Being emotionally balanced helps us sleep better, feel more at peace, and even supports physical health by reducing stress-related illnesses. E) Emotional intelligence builds confidence and resilience. When we’re in tune with our emotions, we can bounce back more easily from setbacks and face challenges without falling apart. F) Emotional intelligence helps us succeed at school, work, and in life. People with strong emotional intelligence tend to work better in teams, handle feedback well, and adapt more easily to change.
Perspectives
This chapter offers a timely and meaningful exploration of emotional intelligence as a key to self-awareness and well-being. In a world that is increasingly fast-paced, unpredictable, and emotionally demanding, the ability to understand and regulate our inner world is not just helpful—it’s essential. What I find particularly powerful about this chapter is how it frames self-awareness as the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. Before we can manage stress, relate to others, or make thoughtful decisions, we need to start with a clear understanding of our own emotions. This simple but profound idea sets the foundation for personal growth. The chapter doesn’t just stay theoretical—it thoughtfully connects emotional intelligence to real-life benefits, such as mental clarity, emotional balance, and even physical health. It’s especially compelling that it goes further to suggest that emotional intelligence should be taught and nurtured, not only in schools but also in workplaces and communities. That makes this work both personal and societal in its impact. From my perspective, this chapter is a call to shift how we think about education and personal development. It reminds us that emotional skills are just as vital as academic knowledge or technical expertise. In fact, they may be the key to navigating the uncertainty of modern life with confidence, compassion, and resilience. This chapter doesn’t just inform—it invites reflection, action, and, most importantly, human connection.
Dr. HDR. Frederic ANDRES, IEEE Senior Member, IEEE CertifAIEd Authorized Lead Assessor (Affective Computing), Unconscious AI Evangelist
National Institute of Informatics
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Self-Awareness and Well-Being, April 2025, IGI Global,
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-0360-4.ch001.
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