Good emotional health is equally important, if not more, than physical health. According to psychologist Juli Fraga, PsyD, emotional health focuses on being in tune with own emotions, vulnerability and authenticity. Having good emotional health is important for fostering self-awareness, overall contentment and resilience.
Many people throughout the years suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, yet most of us ignore the signs that something is wrong. Our mind sends us emotional messages to tell us something is wrong and instead of trying to figure out what is wrong, we try touching it or distracting ourselves with menial activities or self-medication. Read on to find out how you can improve your emotional health and deal with the ups and downs of day-to-day life:
Table of Contents
1. Brighten your outlook
Emotionally balanced people can bounce back from difficulties faster as they are resilient. One way to develop this resilience and emotional wellness is to have a positive outlook and hold onto positive emotions. Enjoying the good times and holding onto such positive memories can brighten the outlook, and this habit can instil a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
2. Make connection a priority
Humans are social creatures; they need to connect with other people to feel and function at best. Social isolation and seclusion are not good for emotional health. Our social brains crave companionship and positive connections to others. Even while phone calls and social networking helps people connect, nothing can take the place of face-to-face quality time with people who are close. For good emotional health, it is important to connect with someone who is a good listener’ and an empathic ear to you.
Reaching out to people and making a social connection should not be considered a sign of weakness or being a burden to others. Make eye contact and exchange greetings or small talk, even with people who you are merely encountering everyday—neighbours, people serving your morning coffee etc.
3. Improve your physical health
Having an active lifestyle, and working out will not only keep your body healthy but will also help improve your emotional health. Once the physical health is improved, emotional health and well-being get better automatically. This is likely due to the release of powerful mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain—called endorphins, which lift the mood and provide the body with energy.
Regular exercise, even if it’s just a small walk at lunchtime through the park, can have a major impact on emotional health. Physical activity helps improve memory, combat depression, relieve stress and helps in sleep. Even modest amounts of activity can make a big difference to the emotional wellbeing.
If you don’t like exercising, then aim for a mere 30-minute activity; it’s easier, three 10-minute sessions can be just as effective. Rhythmic exercises that engage both arms and legs like running, weight training and swimming are very effective.
4. Engage in a mindful creative work
Involve yourself in something that makes you feel productive, even if it is not monetarily rewarding. Meaningful and creative work makes you feel productive, challenges the mind, and balances your emotional health. It can be anything like gardening, drawing, taking a pottery course, working in your or writing. Working like this will make you feel healthier and channel positive energy through you.
5. Practice self-discipline
One way to overcome despair and hopelessness is to practice self-discipline and a balance in life. Many people feel emotionally unbalanced because they take too much work stress home. Strive for a perfect work-home balance and leave the stress of the job at work. Discipline yourself in such a way that once you come home, you will not think about the stressors at work. This healthy balance is important to achieve because only through this can you find time for yourself to enjoy and focus on the positive things in your life.
6. Learn more to lessen the fear
Sometimes the emotional health is upset due to fear or paranoia. One way to deal with this is to abolish the ‘fear of the unknown’. If you have a problem, then learn whatever you can about it; be it a health condition that you are facing, or any other problem in life, if you focus on learning everything about it, the fear of it would lessen. It would also help lessen the anxiety associated with a situation or condition and the subsequent stress associated with it.
7. Meditate or practice yoga to relieve stress
Another great way to balance the emotional health is to practice meditation or yoga. Meditation is a focused form of guided thought. Using this technique can help in reducing stress, and improving emotional health. Yoga and tai-chi, on the other hand, are movement-oriented activities that work as effectively for relieving stress and anxiety.
Other techniques that can reduce stress and improve mental health can include relaxation techniques: like deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. Set aside some time daily to focus on these activities and improve your well-being.
It is important to focus on the emotional health for the wellbeing of the mind. If you need professional help in doing so then book an appointment with a top psychologist through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
