#5: The Science Says It Works

Now, this isn’t simply some feel-good advice—there’s real data behind all this. Studies show that emotional intelligence is strongly linked to improved test scores, decreased amounts of anxiety, and overall stronger classroom engagement. Students who have high EQ don’t just feel better—they perform better.

One study had even measured the burnout within healthcare workers, finding that those with higher emotional intelligence had lower emotional exhaustion as well as more personal fulfillment. If EQ can help people survive emotionally intense jobs, like nursing or medicine, imagine just how powerful it could be if we simply learned it in high school.

I say all this while sounding like just another person in society trying to tell others what to do. But I’m not. And it’s not just about school or work—high EQ promotes stronger relationships, better decision making, and even higher life satisfaction. So, listen to me or don’t listen to me—regardless, the fact is, it’s kind of a big deal.

Source: Correlation of Burnout Syndrome with Emotional Intelligence among Clinicians at Workplace, 2024

Source: Exploring the Interplay of Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Resilience, Perceived Stress, and Life Satisfaction: A Cross-sectional Study in the Turkish Context, 2024