In the middle of an ongoing global health crisis, we’ve talked a lot about physical wellness. But October reminds us that there’s another important component to health: emotional wellness.
And a lot of us could use an emotional wellness boost right now. Mental illness is becoming increasingly common and many people are feeling stressed and exhausted from the uncertainty of the last eighteen months. If that sounds like you, it’s time to seize the opportunity ahead. October is Emotional Wellness Month.
What is emotional wellness?
When we talk about emotional wellness, what do we mean, exactly? Put simply, emotional wellness is your ability to regulate your emotions under stress and adapt to change while staying in touch with what you’re feeling. The National Center for Emotional Wellness says it’s “an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of our feelings, and our ability to effectively manage through challenges and change.”
Since the last couple of years have brought plenty of challenges and change, the skill of maintaining our emotional wellness feels particularly important. Fortunately, during Emotional Wellness Month, you can take some steps to strengthen that skill for yourself.
How do I improve emotional wellness?
Mental and emotional health experts have a few tried-and-true ways you can boost your connection with your emotions and your ability to regulate them in trying times. During October, you can try:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means being in touch with the present moment instead of fixating on the past or worrying about the future. And when you’re present-minded, it’s a lot easier to keep a finger on the pulse of what you’re feeling.
In our hyper-connected world with near-constant stimuli, mindfulness is definitely a challenge. Meditating, or even just setting aside a few minutes each day to sit still and disconnect from technology, can help you foster more mindfulness in your daily life.
Connecting with others
Social connections do a lot for our mental well-being. We’re talking IRL connections here — social media can actually have the opposite effect.
During Emotional Wellness Month, make it a point to spend some quality time with the people who matter most to you. Go on a long walk or coffee date with a friend, or schedule a call with a relative you haven’t talked to in a while. Investing in others and feeling them invest in you can help to boost your emotional health. Plus, a genuine connection with others can create a safe space for you to talk through any emotional challenges you’re facing.
Gratitude
When things are hard, it’s difficult to feel grateful. But letting yourself spiral into negativity doesn’t do your mental state any favors.
It might not be easy, but try to list a few things you’re thankful for every day. Regularly practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to help you feel happier. As you work to find gratitude, you get in the habit of looking for the good parts of your life instead of focusing on the negative.
Managing stress
No surprise here: stress is bad for your emotional health. Left unchecked, chronic stress can make it harder to regulate your emotions. At the same time, it can keep you from doing things that would make you feel better, making the problem worse.
To help you get a handle on any pressure you’re feeling during Emotional Wellness Month and throughout the year, we rounded up five stress-busting tools.
Improving your sleep
You’ve probably been there. You don’t sleep well for a few nights in a row and suddenly, you’re emotionally fried. You could cry or yell at the drop of a hat. Clearly, there’s a relationship between good sleep and emotional balance.
Sleep can be tricky. If quality rest often feels elusive to you, creating a consistent sleep/wake schedule and making some changes to your bedroom might help you get better shuteye.
Visiting us
You don’t have to do the work to support your emotional wellness alone. If you want support from our dedicated team of mental health specialists, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center today.
