Emotional intelligence is a vital skill in adult life that allows us to know ourselves, understand our emotions and those of others, and adequately manage feelings and interpersonal relationships. Although many believe that this ability is developed mainly in childhood, the truth is that we can work and improve our emotional intelligence at any stage of life. An effective and fun way to do this is through games and activities specifically designed to strengthen this area of development.
What is emotional intelligence?
Before diving into emotional intelligence games for adults, it is important to understand what is meant by emotional intelligence. This skill refers to the ability to recognize, understand and manage our emotions, as well as those of others. It includes the ability to know how to regulate our emotions, express them appropriately, and use this information to guide our thinking and behavior in a healthy way.
Emotional intelligence involves competencies such as empathy, self-awareness, and self-regulation. emotional, motivation and social skills. Developing emotional intelligence not only improves our ability to relate to others positively, but also contributes to our overall emotional and mental well-being.
Emotional intelligence games for adults
Below, we present ten games that can be used by adults to strengthen their emotional intelligence, improve their communication skills, increase their empathy and promote a better connection with themselves and others.
1. The game of emotions
This game consists of identifying and expressing emotions. Each participant must say out loud an emotion they are experiencing at that moment and briefly describe why they feel that emotion. This activity helps increase emotional awareness and promotes open communication in an environment of trust.
2. Emotional Jenga
For this game, an adapted version of the classic Jenga, questions related to emotions are written on each wooden block. Each time a participant draws a block, they must answer the question found on it. This promotes reflection on one's own emotions and facilitates the expression of feelings in a playful way.
3. How do you feel today?
In this game, each participant must create an "emotional card" describing how they feel at that moment. Participants then exchange their cards and try to guess what emotions the others are experiencing. This activity encourages empathy, effective communication and the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.
4. The circle of gratitude
Participants sit in a circle and each person shares something they are grateful for at that moment. It can be something small or significant, the important thing is to focus on the positive. This game promotes mindfulness, gratitude, and emotional connection with others.
5. Active listening
In this game, participants divide into pairs and practice active listening. One participant shares a personal experience while the other gives full attention, without interrupting or judging. After listening, the roles are reversed. This activity improves empathy, attention span and effective communication.
6. Identify emotions
Cards are distributed with different emotions written on them and participants must identify the emotion on the card assigned to them without saying its name, only through facial gestures, body expressions or sounds. This game helps develop emotional intelligence by recognizing and expressing emotions non-verbally.
7. Emotional Stories
In small groups, participants create fictional stories that express different emotions. Each member of the group adds a fragment to the story, focusing on conveying a specific emotion. In the end, stories are shared and reflection is made on the interpretation of emotions. This game encourages creativity, cooperation and emotional intelligence.
8. Wheel of emotions
A wheel is created divided into sections, each representing a different emotion. Participants throw an object at random, and depending on the section in which it lands, they must express that emotion and share a personal experience related to it. This activity promotes emotional expression, empathy and interpersonal connection.
9. What would you do?
In this game, hypothetical situations are presented that generate various emotions. Each participant must reflect on how they would react in that situation and explain what emotion they would experience and why. This activity encourages self-reflection, emotional awareness and decision making based on emotional intelligence.
10. The game of emotional agreements
Participants establish agreements on how to communicate their emotions effectively in specific situations. Scenarios are simulated where the agreements are put into practice, and at the end the experience is reflected on and the agreements are adjusted if necessary. This game promotes assertive communication, conflict resolution and emotional management in real contexts.
These ten emotional intelligence games for adults are just a sample of the many activities that can be used to strengthen this skill so important in everyday life. The constant practice of these games not only improves the emotional intelligence of the participants, but also contributes to greater emotional well-being, healthier interpersonal relationships, and a fuller and more satisfying life.