What Is Emotional Wellness And Why Is It Important?
Most of us understand the importance of physical health. We focus on eating well and exercising, ensuring we’re physically strong and healthy. And while physical health is essential to our overall well-being, so is emotional health.
October is Emotional Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to learn about emotional wellness and how to improve it.
What Is Emotional Wellness?
Your emotional wellness is a subset of your mental health. It refers to handling and expressing your emotions, feelings, and stress, especially during change. Your emotional wellness is also about your ability to identify and acknowledge your emotions.
Anyone who’s ever experienced intense emotions, whether anger or sadness, knows what an impact those feelings can have on your day. Your emotions can affect your relationships, desire to complete daily tasks, concentration, motivation, and overall mental wellness.
Tips For Improving Your Emotional Wellness
Understanding and building your emotional wellness can improve your mental and overall well-being. There are many ways to improve your emotional wellness. A few places to start include reducing your stress, improving your sleep, building social connections, and prioritizing your mental health.
Reduce Your Stress
Everyone experiences stress. It’s your body’s natural reaction to change or an unforeseen event. Stress is usually short-term and dissipates once you address the cause of stress. However, sometimes, people experience chronic stress, an ongoing condition that can lead to excessive worry, tension, high blood pressure, and lack of sleep.
If you don’t find healthy ways to relieve and reduce your stress, it can interfere with your everyday life. Stress relief for everyone is different, but a few common relievers you can try include:
- Exercise
- Relaxing activities like coloring or baths
- Mindfulness and breathing exercises
- Therapy
- Sleep
- Time with friends and family
Talk to your doctor if your stress continues or starts interfering with your life, even after trying stress-relieving activities. You may be dealing with anxiety, which feels similar to stress but requires treatment from a doctor.
Sleep
Sleep is essential to your physical and mental health. It’s your body and mind’s time to recharge. Without quality sleep, you not only feel tired, but you’ll also notice changes in your mood, concentration, reflexes, and motivation.
Sleeping is about the hours you spend in bed and your sleep quality. Quality sleep means falling and staying asleep throughout the night. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 14 percent of adults have trouble falling and staying asleep.
Many factors can affect your sleep quality, including stress, environment, pain, medications, and mental health. If your sleep affects your quality of life, it’s always best to speak with a doctor, as you may have a sleep disorder. It can also help to try a few of the following bedtime suggestions:
- Go to bed at the same time every time, including weekend
- Create a relaxing environment in your bedroom with limited lights
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol at least two hours before bed
- Leave devices out of the bedroom, including cell phones, tablets, and televisions
- Find ways to relax your body and mind 30 minutes before bed, like a bath.
Build Social Connections
Humans are social creatures, and your relationship with others can significantly affect your well-being. According to the CDC, one-third of adults experience loneliness and social isolation, which can contribute to serious health concerns such as dementia, physical inactivity, anxiety, and depression.
It can be difficult to keep up with a social life, but try to schedule weekly or biweekly outings, whether lunch with friends, a walk in the neighborhood, taking a class, or joining a club. If it’s challenging for you to leave the house, there are ways you can build your social circle virtually. You can make a social media account, join a virtual book club, or video chat with loved ones.
How Can Visiting Angels Help With Emotional Wellness?
The changes and stress that come with aging are not things you must deal with alone. At Visiting Angels, we work with seniors and their families to make aging an enjoyable part of life. Our companion care services are perfect for supporting your emotional wellness by assisting with daily tasks like housekeeping and cooking so you can focus on the joys of your life. Companion care can also bring needed socialization into your day, and caregivers are always happy to help you connect with friends and loved ones.
Our Cullman office is a locally owned and operated home care agency providing services to seniors throughout Cullman and the surrounding counties, including Etowah, Walker, Marshall, and Blount. If you’re curious how our services can improve your emotional wellness and make aging more enjoyable, send us a message today!