What Is Emotional Maturity And How Can I Manage My Emotions?

People may grow and change in unique ways as they age, with some developing more social maturity and others focusing more on careers. Some people may develop a skill called emotional maturity, which is directly related to their understanding of emotions and emotion regulation. Becoming more emotionally mature can mean learning more about the definition of emotions, recognizing your feelings, and knowing where emotions might be stored in the body. 

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What does it mean to be emotionally mature?

While emotional maturity may come more easily to some people than others, this skill can be developed. For that reason, many people can learn to be more emotionally mature with time and effort. 

Signs of emotional maturity

Emotionally mature people may share common characteristics, including but not limited to the following. 

Empathy as a sign of emotional maturity

Empathy allows a person to put themselves “in another person’s shoes.” This phrase can mean that they feel the emotions of another individual at the same time. Someone who is empathetic may also show concern for others and look for ways to support the people around them. 

Admitting to mistakes 

Emotional immaturity may convince a person that they are always right or have all the answers to their problems. An emotionally mature individual may show humility, and when they make a mistake or are wrong, they may admit to it and commit to doing better in the future.  

Recognizing needs 

Emotional maturity can mean understanding when you would benefit from help and availing yourself of that opportunity. Individuals may experience burnout when they don’t recognize they’ve made too many commitments or are not emboldened to ask for their desires.  

Setting healthy boundaries 

An emotionally mature person protects their peace by establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. To set healthy boundaries, a person can set rules for their time, space, body, energy, belongings, and conversations. Boundaries are not rules for someone else or an attempt to control another person’s behavior. They are directly related to one’s behavior and choices. 

What are the benefits of emotional maturity? 

A self-aware person who has some control over positive and negative emotions may excel in personal and professional settings. When individuals show emotional maturity, they may build healthy relationships, demonstrate cognitive skills, and resolve complex challenges successfully. 

With the ability to set boundaries, protect their mental health, and recognize and meet their needs, these people may enjoy a more significant sense of well-being and joy.  

A person with emotional maturity may also:

• Demonstrate patience in the face of challenges
• Show a level of open-mindedness
• Show tolerance when working with others 
• Understand how to compromise
• Demonstrate a knack for conflict resolution
• Learn from their experiences
• Become more resilient in the face of life's challenges

Strategies to build emotional maturity 

Emotional maturity often means personal growth and personal development, which are skills that may come with age and experience, given certain circumstances. However, emotional maturity does not come to everyone when they age. This skill can be cultivated and grown over time, including in the following ways. 

Develop empathy

People worldwide may experience empathy to a certain degree, but there can be varying levels of empathy. To grow your sense of empathy, try to mentally imagine yourself in other people’s situations, read fiction to cultivate your imagination, and partake in acts of kindness for others. Empathy may grow as you connect more profoundly with your community. 

Cultivate self-awareness by understanding your emotions

Understanding how your emotions work and impact your actions can be a component of developing emotional maturity. Mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises may heighten awareness and help you manage your emotions more effectively.

Develop your communication skills

Learn to practice active listening skills, like making steady but not continuous eye contact with the speaker, using body language to indicate understanding, and asking open-ended follow-up questions. 

Learn to set boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries can be a part of emotional maturity. Learning to say “no” if you are overextended or protecting your emotional space by limiting time with demanding friends or family members may help you manage your emotions and share more generously with others. 

Stay curious about life

Judging others can be a sign of emotional immaturity. Be curious and open-minded about other people and their interactions with the world. Explore opinions and cultures different from your own. 

Take ownership of your actions

You may take more control of your choices when you honestly examine your successes and stumbles simultaneously. Rather than blaming someone else, think about what you could have done differently when a situation has gone wrong. 

Practice self-care for your mental health and well-being

Take time to enjoy the activities you love to care for your physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being. When you are in a healthy place in all dimensions of your life, it may be easier to be attentive to the thoughts and needs of others. 

Explore emotional regulation techniques with professional support

Talk to a licensed therapist

Therapy as a path toward emotional maturity

While therapy is often associated with the effective treatment of mental health challenges, some people also use it as a tool for increasing self-awareness or starting a self-discovery journey. 

Benefits of online therapy for emotional immaturity

For someone seeking to improve their emotional maturity, a therapist can offer tools to improve communication skills, process past trauma, manage stress, and learn how to express emotions healthily. For individuals experiencing difficulty scheduling therapy sessions in their busy lives, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a convenient solution. 

Efficacy of online therapy

Research has shown that online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions and offers flexibility in scheduling. With video chat, phone, and live chat session options, individuals can meet with a therapist from the comfort of their home or office. In addition, clients can use resources like worksheets and support groups for extra support.