Our emotional health relies on our ability to take control and become aware of our emotional wellbeing consciously and deliberately.
How we feel emotionally on a daily basis plays an extremely important role in our general wellbeing. It can make the difference between feeling in the flow and at ease versus feeling stressed out and sick.
If we don't take care of ourselves on an emotional level, we will be left with picking up the pieces of our physical health. For example, if you have anxiety for long enough, that can manifest into serious illness such as cancer or heart disease.
Mind and body work together, but that isn't news to you; after all - it's the 21st century with plenty of data to back it up.
But here's what you may not know: taking deliberate and conscious action on your emotional health will not only set you up for a healthier lifestyle but a happier one too.
When you're emotionally well, opportunities are limitless. You're on top of the world, and life feels more liberating. When emotionally unwell, we feel like we live in a cave, and just coming out to complete one task can feel excruciating and daunting.
We have to learn to take care of our emotional health and operate from the inside-out, especially during times of crisis. When we feel good, we respond to the outside much better and from a place of love. When we feel bad, we react to the outside from a negative place.
Here's how to deliberately take action on your emotional health:
Every morning, when you awaken, your mind begins to race on what you need to do, what you have to worry about, what needs to be done, the list goes on.
But what if, instead, you stopped and checked in with yourself. What are you feeling? What do you need to accommodate yourself so you can have a better day today? Why carry all that extra baggage when you only need to dedicate 5-10 minutes of your time to mentally check in with yourself and how you can help feel good throughout the day.
Our surface emotions (what we feel about something) are merely an indicator of what is really going on inside most of the time. If you're angry because your coffee is taking a long time, then ask yourself what is REALLY bothering you that's causing that emotion. Ask yourself 'why' when you find yourself experiencing negative emotions.
Get a journal and begin writing what made you feel a negative feeling at any point in your day. Continuously ask yourself the "why" question until you get to the root of it. Chances are, something deeper needs to be dealt with, or you'll continue to ride this wave until you do something about it.
The only way out of your negative emotions is through them, which means that you actually have to sift and sit through them. You have to hear them out and understand them from a place of love. Then, when you're ready to, you can let them go.
I find that when something is bothering me, I sit there and feel out the emotion I'm trying to avoid. And then, after I sit long enough in it, I can understand the next steps and to let it go.
To feel your best, make sure to stop from time to time to recognize your own emotional health. These tools can use to make this transition easier:
Meditation helps to slow down your mind, consciously and physically. Beginners may find it challenging at first, as the mind tends to jump from thought to though. I find it easier to ease my mind by listening to background noise - be it the air conditioner or the dishwasher running. Try not to resist thoughts as they arise, but instead, allow them to pass. Then refocus your awareness to the sound.
The best kind of medicine is out in nature! Spend time outside, for a daily hike, walk, anything surrounded by nature that will give you the freedom and liberation from your own head, heart, and body through BEING in nature.
I often find myself thinking barely at all while I'm in nature, and that's because my eyes are so busy observing the beauty around me. I find that nature can naturally support your mind, body, and soul if you find the time to be in it.
Rest is important, but so is daily exercise. Pick an exercise that you love doing, whether that's riding a bike, going for a walk, yoga, or dancing in your living room - it doesn't matter! Just find a way to move any way you can that will lift not only your spirits but your resting metabolic rate too.
Society traditionally teaches people to keep their emotions inside. But our feelings are meant to be felt - not avoided or scrutinized. They are meant to be recognized and shared. Whether it's a therapist, a best friend, or your mom - talk it out with someone.
Communicating how you feel can be one of the most difficult things to do, but with the right support, it's also the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself and your well-being. So don't be afraid to reach out; we all want a listening ear.
When your emotional health is in check, you not only enjoy life more, but you actually respond in a way that aligns with your soul. Remember that our emotions serve as a guidance system to better understand our needs, wants, and fears. We can develop the skill to respond in a healthy way to emotional responses. As long as you develop an awareness and deliberate relationship with your emotional wellbeing, you'll have a handle on life that makes it much easier to maneuver through.