Counselor Traci Clark gave students the chance to learn more about emotional intelligence last Thursday.

She said learning more about emotions leads to a happier lifestyle. Emotional intelligence affects work performance, physical and mental health and relationships. She gave different tips on how to reduce stress in one’s life. She also talked about nonverbal cues.

“Nonverbal keys are usually more telling than what we actually say,” Clark said.

Clark said humor and play could help reduce stress. She cited a recent news story about a Brooklyn woman who started an adult preschool with naptime, coloring, dressing up and acting like children for a while.

Clark said it’s beneficial to your physical and mental health to find activities that you enjoy doing, and that also can relax you as well.

One point that Clark emphasized on was how to resolve conflict positively. She also said that it’s very important to learn how to forgive. It helps ease our mind and helps both parties move on.