When I talk about wellness, I am not just referring to how healthy or physically fit your body is. I am talking about your mind and emotions, as well.
We all sometimes need a check-up on our “emotional wellness,” in order to make sure we are healthy in all aspects of our life. So what exactly is emotional wellness? How do we achieve it, and what are the benefits of it? These are very important questions to ask in order to live a long and healthy life.
Why emotional wellness is an essential aspect of overall wellness
Emotional wellness, is a combination of the mind, body and spirit. It is the way you view your life, and the type of legacy you want your kids and future generations to follow.
By tending to our emotional wellness, in the same way we take care of our physical wellness, we can create an aura of positivity and enlightenment, thus welcoming sincerity and open-mindedness in our lives.
On a daily basis, our bodies go through a roller coaster of emotions. From happiness to anger, we all experience a variety of feelings that can sometimes be hard to express and talk about. Being in tune with your feelings can help you channel them in a healthy and appropriate manner.
Achieving emotional balance lays the foundation for total body well-being. How we handle daily stress and conflict is often guided by our state of emotional wellness.
A positive self-esteem and attitude, combined with mental resilience for coping with daily challenges, can all contribute to a high-level of emotional wellness. We all, at some point in life, have hardships and tough decisions to face, which often makes us stronger and happier after tackling them.
All of our experiences help us to grow and mature, and in turn, hopefully become better humans who can contribute positively in the community.
Living and experiencing each moment non-judgmentally is another way to achieve a sense of well-being emotionally. Judging others creates negative emotions and a negative environment. It teaches our children, and family, an unhealthy habit of talking about and criticizing others, instead of preserving our energy and focusing on our own problems and issues.
One day, while driving in my car, I passed a sign on someone’s lawn that read: “Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” And it’s so true. Instead of criticizing, encourage. There is too much time spent on the negative in today’s world.
To become a healthier human being, we must apply this thought to our own lives and become more tolerant of one another. We should invest on what matters most, helping each other and supporting our friends and family and those who need help in our community.
And, here’s another reason to pay attention to your emotional wellness. Medical studies have shown that patients with high levels of emotional wellness are healthier than those with low levels, due to their toughness and ability to tackle stressful and important issues with confidence and high self-esteem.
An emotional healthy patient will most likely live longer and create meaningful memories without the unnecessary stress caused by resentment, judgement and regret.
A study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, where researchers followed 4,888 people over the course of 20 years, found that those with low amounts of distress have a 34 percent less risk of dying prematurely compared to those with higher levels.
We should also take into account how exercise goes hand-in-hand with emotional wellness. Physical activity not only clears your head, but also de-stresses your body. Including exercise in your daily schedule can bring more benefits than expected.
The same study concluded that people who exercise regularly and rigorously had a 46 percent less likely to die prematurely than those with a low fitness level.
How to achieve emotional wellness
With that being said, I advise you to tap into your spiritual core and continue to develop your emotional wellness with these helpful tips:
— Contemplate each experience in your life, trying to focus on the positive instead of the negative.
— Be mindful of your emotions and the emotions of those around you.
— Rely on your family and friends by speaking to them on a regular basis about issues you might be having. Sometimes we all need a helping hand to get through the day.
Learning how to live a well-balanced life, full of confidence, strength, and high self-esteem is a key to a happy and fulfilling life. Since we only have one life to live, take full advantage of it, and appreciate each and every day no matter what comes your way.
Source:: The American Journal of Preventive Medicine