🧠✨Navigating Emotions with EI✨🧠

Dear SoulShiners,

Last weekend, during my drive to Maine, I listened to a fantastic podcast featuring Dr. Marc Brackett, a Yale professor and expert in emotional intelligence. His insights inspired me to reflect on how we can better navigate emotions and support each other—so I couldn’t wait to share with you!

Name It to Navigate It: Understanding the Mood Meter

Dr. Brackett introduced the Mood Meter, a tool for identifying and labeling emotions. I’ve been using his app, How We Feel, to track my emotions and build emotional awareness—it’s worth checking out! The tool maps emotions on two axes:

Pleasantness (X-Axis): How pleasant or unpleasant you feel.

Energy (Y-Axis): How much energy you feel.

By locating your emotions on the grid, you can better understand and manage them. Naming emotions helps you navigate them effectively—it’s all about non-judgmental compassion.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Emotional intelligence goes beyond understanding feelings; it’s about connection. By holding space for emotions without judgment, we foster trust, empathy, and deeper relationships. Importantly, we don’t need to fix others’ emotions—just being present and validating their feelings can make all the difference.

Everyday Strategies for Emotional Awareness

Move beyond vague terms like "stressed" or "anxious" by pinpointing exact emotions.
Take a step back to observe overwhelming emotions from a new perspective.
Ask open-ended questions to deepen understanding.
Practice gratitude to stay grounded and connected.

Here’s what’s happening this week at SoulShine:

Monday: HIIT @ Little Theater + Zoom – 8:15-9:15 am

Tuesday: Holiday Mash-Up @ Little Theater + Zoom – 8:15-9:15 am

Thursday: PiYo @ WAC + Zoom – 12:00-1:00 pm

Friday: HIIT @ Little Theater + Zoom – 8:15-9:15 am

Important Update on Rates

After nearly a decade without changes, I’ve decided to raise rates to help cover increasing costs:

Sign-Ups: $15 per class

Drop-Ins: $18 per class

Thank you for your understanding and for being part of this amazing community. I’m grateful for each of you. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season! Let’s keep thriving together.

With love and appreciation,

Jode xo

PS: Here’s the podcast link I mentioned: Huberman Lab Podcast.