We are a changing society, and fortunately for us, our attitude to mental health is finally turning around. This allows us to have an open and frank conversation about mental health and how you can look after yourself in this hectic world.
There are many faces of mental health. Frequently overlooked is emotional well-being. In this guide, we will look specifically at how you can improve your emotional well-being. This means understanding and being in a healthy relationship with your feelings, thoughts, and behavior.
Does this mean I have to be happy all the time?
No, not at all. Looking after your emotional health means you are more likely to be able to deal with negative emotions better. You’ll feel anger or sadness, but have the coping mechanisms to understand that these emotions do not rule you and will not last forever.
Why do I need to learn about my emotional well-being?
Learning and improving your own emotional well-being is vital in improving your overall health. When you can understand and reflect on how you feel, you are more likely to have loving relationships and deal with challenges better. You’ll be more productive at work and have reduced blood pressure, as well as a reduced risk of heart disease.
What are the first steps to improving my emotional well-being?
There are plenty of exercises you can do to improve your emotional health. To kickstart your journey into improving your emotional well-being, make an appointment with the BE Psychology Center. The team of psychologists here can assess what you need and lead the way into working on your emotional health. This can be through individual sessions, couples sessions, and in groups. Adults and children are welcome to come along.
It’s worth remembering that you can have excellent emotional well-being but still have a mental health issue. You can tick every box and do every improvement, but still have a chemical imbalance in the brain. In this case, please speak to your doctor immediately.
What small changes can I make to my routine to help my emotional well-being?
There are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make that will have an effect on your emotional well-being. One of the easiest changes you can make is to your sleeping pattern. Make sure you are getting between seven to nine hours of sleep each night, going to bed at a similar time, and sticking to this routine.
Changing your eating patterns will also have a positive effect on your emotional health. Swap out the bottle of wine for water, change from greasy food to a salad, and see how your outlook changes.
I’m ready for the next step, what’s next?
It’s great to leave the house regularly and get some fresh air. Even better is to arrange a coffee date with your friends – it is so important to remember how connected we are to each other, to have something to look forward to, and to see other people who we care for. It’s also great to cultivate a support network amongst your friends.
It would also be beneficial to learn some meditation techniques. This will help you to learn how to calm down in stressful situations, control your breathing, and relax your whole body. Stress reduction is one of the most important parts of looking after your emotional well-being.
What’s the biggest change I can make to help my emotional well-being?
Look further afield from your normal daily routine and find a deeper meaning in a new activity. Whether this is volunteering your time at a soup kitchen, or running marathons for charity, find an activity that makes you feel like you are giving back to society. Having a purpose and direction is important for everyone, and helping others will increase your emotional well-being. If this feels too big for you right now, then start small, with a smile to a stranger and thanking others for their help.
It’s easy for someone else to tell you to “just be more positive”, but the reality is a lot more difficult than that. You need to make lifestyle changes and talk to the right people, maintaining an excellent support network of both friends and professionals. To really change your emotional well-being and maintain a healthy emotional mental state, you’ll need to change your daily routine, your food, and your lifestyle.
Always remember to take the little wins each day and to seek help whenever you need it. Don’t let the bad days win, they won’t last forever, and you are strong enough to start down the path to healthy emotional well-being.
