Psychological aspects in health management:

Emotional Intelligence and workplace wellness

Dr. K. Kuhathasan CEO: Cenlead

Management thinker Daniel Goleman in his work “Working with emotional intelligence” said “Emotionally intelligent people enjoy better health and happiness at work than their emotionally unaware counterparts”. Health is not only the absence of disease, but a total state of balanced mind and emotions.

Emotions govern our health in a major way. Emotions and especially negative emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, hatred and blaming, when held for a long time, are the reason for most of our serious illnesses.

True physical health is attained and maintained by healthy emotions, healthy thoughts and a balanced way of living and working.

Positive emotions at work

* Enjoyment: happiness, joy, relief, contentment, bliss, delight, amusement, pride, thrill, satisfaction.

* Acceptance, friendliness, trust, kindness, affinity, devotion.

* Happiness with a pleasing smile.

* Optimism positive thinking and optimistic outlook.

* Supportive

* Helpful.

Such positive emotionally intelligent people will be able to interact well with people. They are also good team players, responsible, dependable and enjoy excellent social skills.

They can also cope with work demands, effectively ‘size up’ and deal with problem situations, are generally flexible, realistic, effective in understanding problem situations and competent at solving them.

Emotionally intelligent people can deal with stress without ‘falling apart’ or losing control. They are generally calm, rarely impulsive and work well under pressure.

They will be able to enjoy work. They are optimists and are always enthusiastic.

Such positive, constructive and dynamic people at work develop a higher degree of “resistance power” against diseases and are free from occupation related diseases. They are found to be very healthy, strong and enjoy better health, happiness and job satisfaction.

Negative emotions at work

* Anger, fury, outrage, resentment, animosity, annoyance, irritability, hostility.

* Sadness, grief, sorrow, cheerlessness, gloom, self-pity, dejection, despair, depression.

* Fear, anxiety, apprehension, nervousness, concern, misgiving phobia, panic.

* Shock, astonishment, amazement, disgust: contempt, aversion.

* Shame: guilt, embarrassment, humiliation.

* Negative thinking.

* Obstructive.

* Destructive.

* Harassing mentality.

* Delaying tendency.

* Deliberate postponements.

* Avoiding issues.

Unfortunately, such emotionally weak people becomes easy prey for diseases such as diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic back problems.

Negative self talk

Do you talk to yourself in the following way:

* No one is interested in my ideas.

* They don’t appreciate me at the office.

* My boss is rigid and inflexible.

* The job doesn’t challenge me.

* I don’t understand what my boss wants from me.

* Nobody listens to me.

* My supervisors make unreasonable demands.

* My team members are unfriendly.

* They treat me like a slave.

* I’m never given the tools I need.

* My boss plays favourites.

* There is no leadership here.

* There is no sense of mission.

* There is no consistency.

Such negative self talk indicates that you are emotionally weak and the chances of getting stress related diseases are more. You have to give up such negative self talk and develop positive emotional intelligence.

How to develop positive emotions and remain healthy

* Be aware of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and reactions.

* Ability to make decisions, take responsibility for your actions and be aware of the consequences.

* Ability to recognize your heart ruling your head

* Ability to monitor self-talk.

* Ability to manage fears, anxieties, anger and sadness

* Ability to be open in appropriate relationships and know when it is safe to start talking about an issue

* Ability to be assertive when the need arises

* Ability to resolve conflicts without being aggressive

* Ability to accept yourself as you are: be proud of your strength and recognise your weaknesses.

* Ability to function in a group setting.

* Better frustration tolerance and anger management.

* Less aggressive or self destructive behaviour.

* More positive feelings about self, organisation and family.

* Better at resolving conflicts and negotiating relationships.

* Better at solving problems in relationships.

* More assertive and skilled at communicating.

* More popular and outgoing, friendly and involved with peers.

* More sought out by peers.

* More concerned and considerate.

* More “pro-social” and harmonious in groups.

* More sharing, cooperation and helpfulness.

* More democratic in dealing with others.

More tips

* Open your heart to others.

* Develop interpersonal relationships.

* Take action - do things that make you feel useful and relevant.

Let feelings influence your choices.

Let feelings inspire your actions.

* Listen with your empathy

Listen to the feelings beneath the words.

Listen with your eyes, your heart, your stomach and other body parts as well as your ears.

* Tell them how you feel

Deep feelings are a source of strength.

Messages sent from the heart penetrate intellectual barriers.

* Use change as an opportunity to grow

Passion gives you the energy to keep growing.

Passion gives you means for enacting healing change.

* Take a dose of humour with you wherever you go

Laughter instantly balances head and heart.

Nothing gets you out of your head more quickly than a real belly laugh.

Tips to develop health and happiness at work

* Pursue a productive, exciting and active work life.

* Engage in meaningful activities every minute of every day

* Develop an organized, planned lifestyle with little chaos

* Set realistic goals yet keep your mark high

* Think positively - you cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

* Avoid needless worry over trifling matters

* Develop a warm, outgoing personality with a sincere love of people

* Get in to the habit of giving more than receiving.

* Be committed to what you are doing.

* Look like a winner and act like one.

* Have big dreams, a vision and reach for the sky

* Steadily advance in the direction of your goals

* Prepare and work smarter at every task you perform.

* Be interested in others and show kindness

* Have a strong sense of humour

* Be known for the strength of your character