Chronic pain is more than just a physical issue. While physical pain is the most obvious symptom of chronic pain, an underlying pain condition can also impact our mental and emotional health. While this may make overcoming chronic pain a little more complex, it also offers us more ways to target the totality of the condition. One way to regain more control over your chronic pain condition is by working to improve your emotional intelligence.

But what is emotional intelligence, and how can we try to improve it? We offer some tips on improving your emotional intelligence in today’s blog.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is defined as a person’s ability to recognize and manage their emotions and those of others. In other words, emotional intelligence describes your ability to identify your emotions and to react appropriately to maintain a positive or neutral mindset. Needless to say, training your brain to identify negative emotions and to find ways to put a positive or neutral spin on them isn’t easy.

That said, for chronic pain patients, chronic pain is one of the most common sources of negative emotions, so if we can improve how we respond to these stimuli, it stands to reason that we may find more control over our pain condition. But how can we work to improve our emotional intelligence?

Improving Your Emotional Intelligence

There’s no perfect formula for improving your emotional intelligence, but if you consider these tips and try to incorporate them into your daily life, you may find it easier to allow your emotions to control your chronic pain condition instead of having them exacerbate it.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings – It is common for chronic pain patients to bottle up their emotions and try to handle everything on their own, but this can be harmful to the process. Don’t try to run from your feelings and emotions – acknowledge them. Take stock of how you’re feeling throughout the day, as acknowledging your emotions is the first step in improving your emotional intelligence.

2. What Are Your Emotions Telling You? – Next, try to determine why you’re feeling the way you are. It may be pretty easy to figure out why you’re feeling sad or lonely, but don’t stop there. Try to understand what you need in response to these emotions. Do you need time by yourself? A walk to clear your head? A conversation with a good friend? Figure out what your emotions are trying to tell you, and seek out that need.

3. Get Rid Of Guilt – While this point is often easier said than done, it’s important to acknowledge that you should not feel guilty for your emotions. You’re going to have good days and you’re going to have bad days, but make it a point to not feel guilty when you’re having a tough day because of your chronic pain. You have enough on your plate without being burdened by guilt.

4. Reciprocate – Finally, you also want to be aware of the emotions of other people. You want others to recognize and empathize with your emotions, and you should show them the same respect. Try to understand without judgement, because that’s what you’d want from others.

If you can do these four things and recognize how your emotional intelligence can contribute to or fight back against your chronic pain sensations, we’re confident that you’ll be able to gain more control over your pain condition. For more information, or to talk to a specialist about how you can tackle different physical, mental or emotional aspects of your pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.