Emotional health
- having self-esteem and self-respect.
- being able to recognise and express feelings.
- being able to manage emotions to suit the situation.
- recognising and managing the factors that affect emotions.
- feeling positive about life (which includes feeling useful and being optimistic about the future)
Poorly-managed negative emotions are not good for your health. Negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress, which upsets the body's hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system.
Emotional health is an important part of overall health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They're able to cope with life's challenges. They can keep problems in perspective and bounce back from setbacks.
In simple terms, well-being can be described as judging life positively and feeling good. 36,37. For public health purposes, physical well-being (e.g., feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall well-being.
What are some examples of emotional health?
- Curiosity. Being curious about your own mind is one way to start actively engaging with your own emotional health.
- Sharing feelings appropriately. Having someone to confide in can have massive benefits to your emotional health.
- Noticing and facing emotions when they arise.
Research shows that emotional distress makes you more vulnerable to physical illness by impacting your immune system. Deeper relationships. When you're equipped with the skills to manage your emotions, it's easier for you to connect with others and show more empathy and compassion.
Some of the test procedures used in assessments of individuals experiencing emotional/behavioral challenges include interviews, behavior checklists, self-report measures of personality and behavior, and projective tests (e.g., drawings, sentence completion, story telling, inkblot).
5 steps to mental wellbeing
- Connect with other people. Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing.
- Be physically active. Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness.
- Learn new skills.
- Give to others.
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Physical well-being
- a balanced, healthy diet; in particular: reduce sugar, and other toxic additives, by eating less processed food.
- regular exercise.
- maintaining a healthy weight.
- getting adequate hydration, sunlight and fresh air (Read the LAW of good health)
- getting sufficient rest.
- getting a good sleep.
Factors that are critical to children's physical well-being include nutrition, clean and safe environments, health care, mental stimulation, and access to nurturing relationships (Curtis, Dooley, & Phipps, 2004).
Other studies have identified a close relationship between emotional valence and one's physical condition. Accordingly, chronic pain is associated with mental disorders, and negative emotions are known to influence the development of cardiovascular diseases.
There are lots of things we can do to look after our mental health and wellbeing every day – make a start with these 6 top tips.
- Reframe unhelpful thoughts. The way we think, feel and behave are linked.
- Be in the present.
- Get good sleep.
- Connect with others.
- Live a healthy life.
- Do something for yourself.
Characteristics of Mental Health
- They feel good about themselves.
- They do not become overwhelmed by emotions, such as fear, anger, love, jealousy, guilt, or anxiety.
- They have lasting and satisfying personal relationships.
- They feel comfortable with other people.
- They can laugh at themselves and with others.
Emotional health is about how we think and feel. It is about our sense of wellbeing, our ability to cope with life events and how we acknowledge our own emotions as well as those of others. It doesn't mean being happy all of the time.
Mental health is not only the absence of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. 3. Spiritual Health- Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives.
9 Emotional Wellness Activities
- Be positive. While occasionally being in a bad mood is normal, constantly having a negative attitude undermines your internal happiness.
- Get connected.
- Relieve stress.
- Quality sleep.
- Establish boundaries.
- Be mindful.
- Cope with loss.
- Accept yourself.
