We human beings are primarily emotional creatures. Emotional health drives most of our decisions.
Emotional health refers to how a person is able to manage their thoughts, feelings, and emotions through the ups and downs of life.
Most of us pay close attention to our physical health and make sure we take tablets to bring down a fever, antibiotics for a cough, bandages for an injury.
However, we stay in ignorance or denial of our emotional health issues which go so much deeper and can impact our physical health also!
But how do I know if I have emotional health issues?
- You feel drained all the time
- You’re either sleeping too much or too little
- Your performance at work is beginning to suffer
- You find that you’re eating too much or too little
- You’re often anxious or irritated with loved ones
- You have physical symptoms of stress, like high blood pressure
- Your confidence or self-esteem is affected
NOTE: If you cry all the time or are unable to sleep, considering self-harm, or are addicted to alcohol, food, or drugs, please contact a mental health counselor or a psychologist for help.
So what can I do to be emotionally healthy?
- Have curiosity
This can be as simple as asking, ‘Why do I feel or react this way?’ when you experience a negative emotion. By doing this, you may begin to uncover some of the reasons causing you to react in a certain way.
- Share feelings appropriately
Make sure you choose a safe person to share with. Sharing your feelings can help give you clarity on what you’re experiencing, while also giving you someone you can lean on for support.
- Take care of physical health
Staying active, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and sleeping well are all huge contributors to your emotional health. Get fresh air and exposure to sunlight.
- Have your own self-care rituals
Journalling, making time to connect with friends, taking time for themselves to relax, spending time on hobbies, and quality time with family members. Nurture yourself, so that you can take care of your responsibilities, whether it is a child or an elderly person dependent on you, your job and staff, or community members. Self-care is the foundation!
- Stay away from negativity
This could be gossip sessions, someone always in victim mode, or news on a loop. Stay away from toxic people who are relentlessly negative, ungrateful, operate out of victimhood, and have never taken responsibility for their actions.
- Practise gratitude
Be grateful for the chance to be alive even if things are not going exactly the way you desire. Write a daily gratitude journal, listen to motivational meditation videos, and read about inspiring people. Give thanks for everything that is amazing in your life –the supportive friend you can trust, the family member who stands by you, the teacher who taught you the skills you use in your job, the colleague who is cooperative, the vegetable vendor who saves the best for you. We are surrounded by angels in disguise all the time!
- Be part of a community of like-minded people
This could be a group of friends going on a daily morning walk, a fan club, a volunteer group, music lovers, a dance class, or whatever makes you excited to meet up with others and share a common love for something!
When you experience peak emotional health, you are at your best. Period. You become more efficient and more pleasant to be around. Others are blessed by you, and your life becomes enjoyable. Don’t make the devastating mistake of neglecting your inner world.
You Owe it to the World to Be Happy and Healthy