Written by
Millie Health Team
Published on
January 12, 2023
The term 'health' often brings to mind images of physical health and vitality. However, an equally crucial aspect, and often overlooked, is our emotional health. In order to achieve overall well-being, it is paramount to understand and nurture our emotional health.
Emotional health refers to our ability to understand and manage our emotions. It involves self-awareness, which allows us to recognise our feelings, and emotion regulation, helping us to respond appropriately to emotional experiences. It can affect the ability to react and deal with changes and uncertainties. Unlike the transient nature of emotions, emotional health reflects our general state of emotional well-being over time. Experiencing difficulties in emotional well-being can have negative effects on a person's mental and physical health
There are several characteristics of good emotional health. These include but are not limited to, self-awareness, resilience, the ability to manage stress, the capacity to form and maintain healthy relationships, and the ability to express and control emotions appropriately. Emotional health also involves the capacity for enjoyment, having a sense of purpose, and the ability to manage life's ups and downs effectively.
Emotional health forms the basis of our mental well-being. It influences our thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. Strong emotional health can bolster our resilience, allowing us to bounce back from adversity and stress. Emotional health is also linked to physical health. Studies have shown a connection between strong emotional health and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and other physical illnesses (Steptoe et al., 2015).
Improving emotional health is a journey that requires time, patience, and often professional support. Here are a few strategies that can help in fostering emotional health.
Build Resilience
Resilience is the ability to recover and bounce back quickly from setbacks and difficulties. People with good emotional health experience fewer negative emotions and recover faster. There are several ways to build and strengthen resilience such as developing healthy physical habits, taking time for oneself each day, looking at problems from different angles and reflecting, practicing gratitude, exploring beliefs and views.
Learn how to handle Stress
Stress can be positive, however long term stress is a problem. Learning how to cope with stress can also boost resilience. Ways to build a stress management system includes getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, finding ways to relax, building and fostering relationships.
Improve your Sleep Quality
Sleep affects physical and mental health. A lack of sleep can have a variety of negative effects. A good sleep hygiene will help to get quality sleep. This includes getting up and going to bed each day at the same time, a dark, cool, and quiet environment, no blue light exposure close to bedtime, not eating and not exercising too close to bedtime.
Practice Mindfulness
Being present and mindful can help you become more aware of your emotions and thoughts (Keng et al., 2011). Practising awareness can include different breathing techniques, meditation, mindful eating, body awareness, mindful walking.
Establish Healthy Relationships
Positive relationships can provide emotional support and help to reduce stress (Umberson & Montez, 2010). Studies found that our links to others can have powerful effects on our health—both emotionally and physically.
Regular Physical Exercise
Physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and promote better mood (Stubbs et al., 2017).
Seek Professional Help
Getting support can help to reach emotional health goals faster or get unstuck. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists can provide techniques and strategies to manage emotions effectively.
Emotional health is a vital facet of our overall health. By understanding and improving our emotional health, we can lead more fulfilling, happier, and healthier lives.
Sources:
1. National Center for Emotional Wellness (NCEW).
2. American Psychological Association.
3. Mental Health Foundation.
4. Steptoe, A., Deaton, A., & Stone, A. A. (2015). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet, 385(9968), 640-648.
5. Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056.
6. Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1_suppl), S54–S66.
7. Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., Cosco, T., Veronese, N., Salum, G. A., & Schuch, F. B. (2017). An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 249, 102-108.
8. National Institutes of Health (NIH).(2023).
