Most people know that they should occasionally visit the doctor’s office to maintain sound physical health. But what about emotional health? People rarely exhibit the same level of concern for their emotional wellbeing as they do their physical health.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a study that—in part—explored the link between positive emotional health and physical illnesses and found that people with poor emotional wellbeing had an increased risk for some diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
Rather than thinking about emotional health as an optional element of our wellbeing, we should view it as an integral component. To help you start practicing emotional health in your life, here is a breakdown of some behaviors and practices that you can start incorporating right now.
Get Better Quality Sleep. According to the NIH, quality sleep affects our emotional health as much as it does our physical health. Getting a good night’s sleep can help you be more present throughout the day. One way you can start to develop better sleeping patterns is to try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Turn Off Devices Before Bed. We spend so much time surrounded by screens. Whether TVs, computers, phones, or tablets, these devices are becoming increasingly difficult to escape. However, too much screen time before bed can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Instead of looking at your phone before bed, try to relax and give your mind some time to decompress.
Establish a Support Group. The NIH also recommends finding a support group that can help and encourage you in your pursuit of emotional wellbeing. These are the people that you can talk to when you are feeling weighed down or stressed out. A support group can consist of one or several people. The important thing is to be honest with someone about what you are feeling.
Improve Your Diet. Making healthy choices at mealtimes is difficult, but it could have long-term positive impacts on your emotional health. According to the National Health Institute, making even small changes to your diet could lead to a significant improvement to your emotional health. The NIH recommends the DASH eating plan for those looking to make changes to their diet.
Try to Exercise. More. Regular exercise will help your body to have more energy throughout the day. The NIH says that exercise can even help improve your mood. Start by incorporating small activities into your days, such as going for a walk or some light cardio. Over time, these exercises could have a substantial impact on your emotional health.
Start Journaling. Keeping a journal is another way to vent the stress and emotional frustration that you are feeling. Though this activity should not be seen as a replacement for developing a support group, it is still a good way for you to get your emotions out in the open.
Go Outside. One of the simplest things you can do to impact your emotional health positively is to go outside. Whether you go for a walk or simply sit on a park bench for a while, getting some sunlight and fresh air can improve your mood by giving you a break from potentially stressful environments.
Practice Time Management. Schedules can stress people out. However, not having a schedule to manage your time can be stressful too. If you ever feel overwhelmed by everything you have to do, creating a schedule to help you properly manage your time can decrease your anxiety and improve your overall emotional health.
Find a Creative Outlet or Hobby. Find something that you like to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s painting, crafting, woodworking, or juggling. The only thing that matters is that you spend some time doing an activity that you enjoy. Finding a creative outlet or hobby will give you time to be away from the cares of life and spend some time alone with yourself doing something you love.
Be Nice to Yourself. The journey towards emotional health may not always be an easy one. When you seem to be regressing into unhealthy behaviors or make a poor decision, be nice to yourself. You wouldn’t berate other people for making a mistake, so don’t do it to yourself either.
Be Patient with Yourself. Try not to over idealize. A few small steps each day will add up to a lot of progress over time. Try implementing some of these activities into your daily routine, and you may be amazed at the progress you make. But be patient with yourself. The important thing is that you’re trying.
