As uncertainty seems to be the “norm” in this ever-increasing fast paced society, (as reported in the news on a daily basis), wouldn’t it be good to have some strategies and tips for achieving good mental health, and improving our emotional well-being?
Emotionally healthy individuals have better outcomes when they are in control of their emotions and their behavior. Such people are able to build strong relationships, recover from setbacks and handle life’s challenges. However, you may be asking yourself, “How can I improve my own emotional health?”
What is emotional or mental health?
Emotional or mental health refers to your overall psychological well-being. Having good mental health is not just the absence of mental health problems. It refers to the presence of positive characteristics. Not feeling bad is not the same as feeling good. Although you may not necessarily have negative feelings, you still need to do things that make you feel positive in order to achieve mental and emotional health.
Individuals who are mentally and emotionally healthy possess:
Now that we’ve defined what emotional health is and looked as some of the characteristics of individuals who have good mental health we can summarize some major components that can assist us in achieving this state. To summarize, some important components follow:
Role of physical health with relation to mental and emotional health
Improving your physical health leads to experiencing greater mental and emotional well-being. Exercise (physical activity) for example, does not only have the potential to strengthen your heart and lungs but also releases endorphins, chemical substances that can energize us and improve our mood and outlook.
Consider the following recommendations:
Take care of yourself to improve mental and emotional health
Pay attention to your own needs and feelings to maintain and strengthen your mental and emotional health. Try to maintain a balance between undertaking daily responsibilities and doing things you enjoy so that it is less likely that stress and negative emotions will build up.
Taking care of yourself will give you the preparation to deal with challenges if and when they arise. Consider the following:
Supportive relationships as the foundation of emotional health
As humans, we are social creatures and have an emotional need for relationships and positive connections with others. Finding social interaction with someone who is a good listener will foster a supportive relationship as they can “hear” the feelings behind your words and not interrupt or judge or criticize you.
Develop a relationship with someone who you can talk to regularly which can lead to a supportive relationship of listening to each other. Some possible ways to connect to others:
As we move into July and the “dog-days” of summer, take positive actions towards improving your emotional and mental health. You can look forward toward a better quality of life by practicing some of these tips.
Additional Information
Check out the Emotional Wellness Toolkit resources from the National Institutes of Health at nih.gov.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tips for achieving good emotional and mental health | Mark Mahoney
Reporting by Mark A. Mahoney / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
