Consider Emotional Health by Looking Beyond Just Physical Well-Being

Consider Emotional Health by Looking Beyond Just Physical Well-Being

Consider this: you have prospered in your career, and the greatest achievement is just a step ahead.

You have worked hard to get to this point, and in this age of cutthroat competition, you have managed not only to survive, but achieve what you wanted to.

You are aware that hectic work schedules and unreasonable deadlines are taking a toll on your health. You go to the gym when you can and do your best to stick to a balanced diet. However, something is missing; you are just not feeling good from within.

When this happens, you need to start considering your mental health as well instead of merely concentrating on your physical well-being.

About Emotional Health

Attributes of Bad Emotional Health

An unhealthy mind impairs our ability to see things in the correct perspective; it takes away our ability to cope with stress and anxiety and throws us in the abyss of depression. You may be physically fit, but if you are irrational, incoherent and destructive, these thought process can make you ill.

Stress

Stress is like a nuclear fission, it has endless repercussions on one’s physical health. Cardiac risk, hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, obesity, and many more manifestations affect our overall health.

Emotional Health Can Be Improved.

Healthy living consists of two vital components physical fitness and mental well-being. Since most of us concentrate on physical health, our mental health takes a backseat. The sooner you realize the importance of your mental health, attitude, and approach to life, the greater will be your chances of enjoying complete and comprehensive health and well-being.

“Looking after your emotional health is just as important as caring for your physical health.”
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/topics/emotional_health.htm

One’s emotional fitness can be improved in a similar way one improves one's physical fitness, by working at it using proven methods for the task. Working towards improving ones emotional health is at least as important as maintaining ones physical health. To be happy and get the best out of life one must control one's emotions and behaviour. This leads to feeling better, being more focused, and the ability to handle stress and bounce back from it.

The Attributes of Emotion Health Are the Key Building Blocks of Success.

Strong emotional health leads to being more productive, enjoying better general health, successful careers and relationships and getting more enjoyment out of life.

“Success does not make people happy”, “happy people become successful”. The better choices one makes to improve one’s emotional health, the more the benefits one will realize.

Good Mental Health

To be emotionally healthy is to be mentally fit, however by definition it more then to be merely free of psychological issues such as anxiety, depression or any other mental illness. To be emotionally healthy means to possess positive attributes in one’s perception and attitude to various situations that make one cope with many of the stressful situations that arise in life.

Physical Health is very closely linked to emotional health".

It does not mean one does not feel disappointment or experience sadness, stress and anxiety, these emotions still affect those that are emotionally healthy, the difference is they are very resilient and bounce back retaining their positive attributes through the trying times.

People with Who Are Emotionally Healthy Typically:

• Are very self-confident and exhibit high self-esteem.
• Have the ability to deal with stress.
• Adapt to change and bounce back from adversity.
• Enjoy life and love challenges.
• Are content and flexible.

Emotional Health Exercise and the Brain

Physical Health and Well-being

Physical Health is very closely linked to emotional health, good physical health improves ones mental health by releasing powerful chemicals called endorphins that energise and lift the spirits of the mind.
Good mental health includes your ability to enjoy life, have fun, be able to laugh, and bring smiles on other’s faces. The ‘feel good’ factor that arises due to a sense of contentment and good self-esteem are also significant indicators of good mental health.

Best Practices to Improve Emotional Health

1. Yoga or Meditation

Enrol in a yoga or meditation class. Incorporate yoga in your daily routine. Unlike other exercises that are directed toward burning the calories, it stimulates the brain, rejuvenates the body.

Fifteen minutes of meditation wherein you do some soul-searching and establish the very purpose of your existence, is an overwhelming experience

And does miracles to your mental health. It gives you an insight into the beautiful creation called the mind and helps you understand the art of living a healthy life.

2. Diet and Nutrition
Eat healthy, unprocessed food. Foods that consist of complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals contribute to good mental health. Do away with processed food and include fresh fish, which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids in your daily diet.

Processed foods can be harmful to our health. Include amino acids like tyrosine that are found in fresh fish and poultry in your diet. Amino acid-rich foods help in fighting depression. Drinking plenty of water is also a must for your mental well-being.

Useful Tips to Enhance Perception and Care for Ones Mental Health

• Take care of your body, be very mindful of what you consume, junk food can have negative affects not only on your body, but how you feel.
• Ensure you get plenty of good quality sleep.
• Exercise regularly, exercise releases good chemicals which enhance ones mood. It helps cope with anxiety, stress, and anger and is a great help for anyone suffering depression.
• Taking care of your body will increase your self-confidence and makes one feel good about one’s self.
• 15 minutes of sunlight are mood enhancing and a source of vitamin D.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Learn deep breathing exercises and practise them regularly.
• Learn and practice self-discipline.
• Learn how to deal with negative thoughts, negative thinking can trigger anxiety and depression.
• Inject some fun things in your life, social interaction with people is very important for the development of good emotional health.
• Become a volunteer, volunteering is one of the most satisfying pastimes one can do. Helping others offers a myriad of positive benefits for one’s health and well-being.
• An activity that is slow and rewarding e.g. gardening or simply sitting on a beach will lower blood pressure and relax the mind by reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Have fun; live in the moment, live your life-like there is no tomorrow, enjoy your ‘now’ rather than cribbing over the past or craving for a better tomorrow. Do things you enjoy doing. Spend some quality time doing what you love to.
• You could take time off from your ‘work only’ regime and go for a movie, a swim, or a stroll in the park. The joy of setting aside some time for you to indulge in your favourite pastime can give a big boost to your mental health.

Signs That Indicate Professional Help should be sought.

• Inability to sleep well.
• Any dependencies such as drugs, alcohol or food as a comfort.
• Any thoughts of suicide or self-destructive thoughts.
• Any irrational fears.
• Consistently Feeling low, helpless.
• Extreme concentration problems
• Constant feelings of anger.
• Any emotions that are very difficult to control.
• Big mood swings form happy to unhappy.

Conclusion

Summary

Physical well-being is undoubtedly imperative, but without mental well-being, you can only go so far. Understanding the needs of both the mind and body can help us discover the real key to good health. We are all the product of life experience, our emotional health has always been and will always be challenged by all the experiences that life brings.

Be aware that one’s attitude has been shaped by these experiences, both good and bad. With the all the right strategies in place, one can cope and indeed thrive enjoying the best of life along with its challenges.

Please leave your comments below.

References

"Mental Health." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 June 2012. Web. 18 June 2012. .