It is said that emotionally healthy people control their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours and can easily cope with challenges. We all crave a healthy life physically and emotionally.
While society and educational institutions continually try to de-stigmatize conditions around emotional health, it’s equally important for individuals to understand their emotional wellbeing and its role in their overall health.
Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean being happy all the time. It simply means being aware of your emotions and having the ability to deal with them, whether they are positive or negative. We can still be angry, stressed, and sad even when we are emotionally healthy.
What is Emotional Wellbeing?
Emotional wellbeing is your ability to produce positive emotions, thoughts, moods, and feelings. Emotional wellbeing can also mean your ability to adapt when confronted with stressful situations or adversity and can help you realize your full potential.
Research indicates a close link between an upbeat emotional state and physical health. When you harbor negative attitudes and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, you can develop chronic stress that can potentially affect your overall health.
Chronic stress upsets the hormonal balance, depletes brain chemicals responsible for happiness, or damages your immune system. Cases such as poorly managed anger can lead to conditions such as hypertension, digestive disorder, cardiovascular disease, and infection and hence need to develop muscles to help you manage such situations when they arise.
Importance of Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional health is an essential part of your overall health as it impacts every aspect of your life. When you keep your emotions in check, you will better express and interpret your feelings. You will also feel comfortable in your skin and grow better interpersonal relationships.
Types of Emotional Wellbeing
- Be aware of your emotions by identifying what makes you frustrated, sad, or angry and finding ways to address them.
- Expressing your feelings appropriately allows people next to you to know what you are going through.
- Think before you act. Stay calm before you do or say anything.
- Manage stress by learning how to cope with stress through meditation, breathing, and exercise.
- Strive for balance. Look for healthy ways to balance work and play, or activity and rest.
- Take care of your physical health by exercising regularly, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep.
- Create positive connections with people.
- Find your true purpose and meaning by focusing on what is important
- Staying positive
- Learn new skills.
How to Improve Emotional Wellbeing
To improve your emotional wellbeing, you need to be aware of your emotions and reactions. No one wants negativity in life. Therefore, distance yourself from negative people and express your feelings appropriately.
Be mindful of your physical life and commit to living in the present. Don’t dwell on what has already passed and find purpose and meaning. The great news is that technology has made self-care prevalent. Taking time to think about your emotions and feelings can keep you mindful and prevent mental health problems.
Conclusion
Everybody desires to be healthy. However, we must agree that to achieve optimal wellness; We must obtain various dimensions of wellbeing, including emotional wellbeing. Our happiness and overall mental health are linked to our emotional wellbeing. Therefore, it’s worth every effort to take care of our emotional wellbeing.