Life is never perfect. There will always be times of stress, disorientation or feeling overloaded. However, it is the ability to recover, also known as emotional health, that will help you stand firm and overcome those challenges.
Dr. Ajit Dandekar, a psychiatrist in India, shared with Health Shots: Emocational health is not a happy state. It is the ability to understand and manage emotions, stay calm, and maintain meaningful connections even when things become difficult.
Here are 8 strategies to improve emotional health in a simple, easy-to-use way:
Writing an emotional diary
Writing down thoughts and emotions is an effective way to calm the mind. Writing a diary helps you understand your emotions, relieve pressure and see the problem more clearly, says Dr. Dandekar. A study published in the journal SMM-Mental Health showed that writing diaries online has supported many people to improve their mental health during the pandemic.
Exercise regularly
Not only does physical activity help improve physical fitness, it also stimulates the production of endorphins - neurotransmitters that help improve mood. According to the Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, exercise helps improve emotional regulation and reduce stress.
Practicing mindfulness
Meditation, deep breathing or simply focusing on the present help reduce anxiety and feel more calm. An overview in the Clinical Psychology Review shows that practicing mindfulness regularly can improve mental health and emotional response.
Connecting with loved ones
Spending time with family, friends or trustworthy friends can help you feel shared and supported. Active relationships act as a mental medicine to help you recover from a crisis, says Dr. Dandekar.
Get enough sleep
Sleep directly affects emotions and mental health. If you lack sleep, you will easily get angry, anxious and reduce the ability to concentrate. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Take a deep breath when you feel stressed
Take a deep breath, breathe slowly to reduce your heart rate and stabilize your spirit. This is one of the simplest ways to get rid of the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Temporarily stopping social media use
Surfing too much online can easily make you tired and compare your life with others. Allow yourself to take a break from your phone to regain focus on yourself.
Find an expert when needed
If you feel overloaded for a long time or cannot control your emotions, don't hesitate to seek a psychologist. Searching for support is a sign of strength, not weakness, Dr. Dandekar emphasized.
emotional health is the foundation for a balanced life. Don't wait until you are too tired to act, start from the smallest things, every day.
