Caring for your mental health

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING is an important part of holistic wellness, as it can impact your outlook on life, your relationships, and your health. Taking care of your emotional well-being matters.

When you are emotionally healthy you manage the various elements of your life and work with a range of emotions, without losing control. You bounce back!

We are all more aware of it right now, that attending to your emotional well-being is always a good investment, in good times or bad.

Life presents events that challenge you, but when you know how to face these obstacles with a resilient mindset, your confidence in your ability to get through any circumstance is strengthened.

Everything in your life, emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and intellectual – connects in a state of well-being. For example, walking just 10 to 15 minutes a day gives your brain a boost. That means more energy, awareness, and a healthier outlook on life. Exercise of any sort balances your dopamine and serotonin levels; it also improves your sleep and reduces stress and anxiety. All of this can make you better equipped to manage your feelings and emotions.

Each area of your well-being has the potential to impact other areas. Many research studies focus on how poor mental well-being negatively impacts physical health, leading to an increased risk in cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. There is also an emerging set of data that is focusing on the effects of positive well-being.

Your range of emotions and how you manage them, influences your emotional health. Here are eight ways you can control your emotions and feelings, and stay resilient:

• MOVE YOUR BODY

Do some sort of physical activity every 90 minutes. Exercise. Dance. Fold laundry. Weather permitting, get outside.

• ESTABLISH A ROUTINE

Create a schedule that balances the work you do with the life you want. Set time for your meetings. Block space to set goals. Create room to read. Cook a new dish. Listen to music.

• CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Love on your family. Check in with those who support you. Ask for help. Learn something out of your comfort zone. Spend time with someone who you respect.

• FORGIVE

Forgive others and forgive yourself. Forgiveness frees you to keep your power. Forgiveness opens the path to live in the moment. Forgiveness allows for growth and happiness.

• DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS

Offer to do something for someone you know or do not know, for which you cannot be repaid. Pick up groceries for a neighbour. Volunteer online. Send a thank you note.

• SLEEP

Healthy sleep gives your body the chance to repair itself. Sleep refreshes your brain to manage your memories and process information. You wake up in a better mood.

• BE KIND TO YOURSELF

What gives you joy? Where are you most at peace? When do you have space to be you? As you are kind to yourself, you will want to extend that kindness beyond yourself.

• BE SELF-AWARE

Notice the thoughts, actions, habits, and character traits that serve you well, and when you spot what needs to change, you will be ready. You will simply know.

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu

You become more resilient as you encounter and master any situation. Whenever you have doubts, and you will, remember that you have everything you need to take care of your emotional well-being.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.comSOURCE: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization.