Emotional health is part of mental health and refers to how well you manage both positive and negative emotions. Emotionally healthy people can cope with tough feelings and know when to seek professional help.
Emotional wellness is linked to physical health. High stress and negative emotions can lead to unhealthy behaviors like smoking or drinking, which increase the risk of serious health problems such as cancer or heart disease.
It's important to note that someone can have good emotional health even if they experience mental illness or bad days. Emotional health focuses on managing emotions and using healthy coping strategies, whether or not a person has a mental illness.
Signs You May Be Struggling with Emotional Wellness
Some indicators that your emotional wellness may need attention include:
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or coworkers
- Feeling unusually low on energy
- Changes in sleep patterns (too much or too little)
- Eating more or less than usual
- Increased substance use
- Experiencing racing thoughts
- Decline in work performance
- More conflicts in relationships
- Feelings of irritability, guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care
Ways to Improve Your Emotional Wellness
There are several methods to maintain or enhance your emotional wellness, including:
- Leading a balanced lifestyle. Strive for a healthy balance between work and personal life, activity and rest, and practicing moderation in everything you do.
· Stay connected. Maintaining relationships is important. Schedule regular time with friends and family. Virtual connections help, but in-person interactions are beneficial too.
· Practice mindfulness. Meditation helps you become aware of your thoughts and emotions, which is essential for emotional wellness.
· Be mindful of self-talk. Negative self-talk can affect your mindset. Focus on speaking kindly about yourself to foster a more positive self-image.
· Set goals and celebrate progress. Having goals gives you something to work toward. Celebrate your successes to boost self-esteem and positive feelings.
· Moderate substance use. Pay attention to any increase in alcohol or substance use and consider whether emotional factors are contributing to it.
· Build resilience. Developing strategies to manage stress and emotions strengthens your ability to handle difficult situations.
· Prioritize sleep. Lack of sleep can affect how you process emotions and understand others' feelings. Make sure you're getting enough rest.
· Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Even simple activities like walking or dancing can improve emotional health.
· Find purpose. Whether through work, caring for a pet, or volunteering, having a sense of meaning in life can enhance emotional wellness.
· Know when to seek help. If you're struggling with emotions, reaching out to a mental health professional can be a valuable step in improving your emotional well-being.
Reference:
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/awake-no3-2019-nov-dec/emotional-health/
https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-to-know-about-emotional-health