Emotional health can be defined as the ability to control their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Emotionally healthy people are aware of their emotions, whether positive or negative. It does not mean they are always happy. They know how to handle their negative emotions like anger, sadness, or stress. They are able to cope well with both the highs and lows of life. They thrive in spite of setbacks.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, emotional health is a positive state of well-being that enables an individual to be able to function in society and meet the demands of everyday life. It is important to note that emotional health is not the same as mental health. Mental health includes but is not limited to emotional health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
What is the difference between mental health and emotional health?
Mental health is how well the mind processes and understands information and experiences. Emotional health is the ability to manage your emotions based on what you have learned and experienced.
Good emotional health does not mean the person is not experiencing mental health challenges. A mental health issue could be not sleeping well. Good emotional health means the person is able to manage their emotions about it and find ways to effectively manage the issue.
Mental illness often has a physical cause like a chemical imbalance in the brain. It could also be due to trauma. Stress can trigger mental illness or make it worse.
Emotional health can affect physical health. Not being able to manage the negative emotions that stress causes can make people engage in unhealthy behaviors that can damage their health. Habits like excessive drinking and smoking cigarettes to relieve stress can cause health problems.
Becoming emotionally healthy is a skill anyone can learn. Improving our emotional health has so many benefits. Emotionally healthy people have higher self-esteem, are resilient, and have a positive outlook on life.
Emotionally healthy people have certain qualities which help them to live happier lives. Some of them are:
They are self-aware
They understand themselves and how they come across to others. They also know their emotional triggers and how to manage them effectively. They can identify their emotions when they come up and choose how to respond.
Practice gratitude
They always find something to be grateful for even in trying times. Being grateful shifts attention from what we do not have to notice what we do have.
Share feelings appropriately
Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can help you understand your feelings. Emotionally healthy people are able to receive support and clarity by sharing their emotions with a close friend or family member when they feel overwhelmed.
Take care of themselves physically
Eating nutritious food and getting adequate exercise are important. Emotionally healthy people desire to be in a state of optimal health and make the right decisions to stay healthy.
Create healthy boundaries
Successful relationships require healthy boundaries. When boundaries are undefined or unhealthy, the relationships can become negative. Emotionally healthy people create boundaries in their relationships.
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