Mental health is in the media more than ever before. But it can still be difficult to know what things you can do to boost your mental health as well as addressing your emotional health and wellness.

Many people think that mental health and emotional health are the same, but they are not. Mental health is made up of psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. There many things that can impact mental health including life experiences and genetics. Emotional health is more about being in tune with your emotions. It’s about being able to recognise and handle emotions that you have as they happen in a healthy way. Although mental health is not the same thing as emotional health there are certain ways that they can link together. Looking after your emotional health can help to protect your mental health.

Researchers have shown that emotional health is a skill, by following simple steps you can improve your emotional health and be happier.

Remind yourself to stay positive- always:

• Smile as often as you can.
• Seek or accept help and support from others when it is needed.
• Employ gratitude to your life in order to strengthen relationships with your family and friends.
• Practice being mindful and increase your awareness.

Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean you don’t feel stress, anger and sadness but you will have learned the tools to manage their negative feelings. 

Emotional health is an essential part of your general health. Individuals who are emotionally healthy are in control of their feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Therefore individuals are far more able to cope with life’s challenges. They are able to feel good about themselves and tend to have good relationships and they tend to cope with life’s challenges with a prospective of handling problems, and are more able to bounce back from any setbacks.

What are the components of emotional well-being?

Do you have a positive state of mind? Studies have shown a link between a positive mental state and physical signs of good health. These include a lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure. And a healthier weight.

In what way do you treat other people in your life? Generally, individuals that are emotionally well are inclined to be more compassionate and sensitive to others needs and more spiritually generous.

Are you appreciative? Emotionally healthy individuals tend to feel appreciative for their lives and for all the goodness they experience. They are thankful for what they have rather than what they don’t have.

Are you content with the person you are? Those who are emotionally healthy are usually happy with themselves. They rarely complain and take care of themselves physically and psychologically.

Are you open-minded and flexible? Are you open to other people’s ideas and thoughts?

Do you have a life purpose? Those who tend to have a well-developed sense of wellbeing have a reason to wake up in the morning. They know their core values, and their purpose gives life meaning, whether its professional, family oriented or community based. 

Do you have tools to manage stress? People who are emotionally strong tend to have their own ways of navigating the stressors in their lives such as exercise, meditation, talk therapy or creative pursuits such as music, art, or writing.

Be mindful.

Mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve mood if practised regularly. It can also help to increase awareness and awareness of others.  Mindfulness can be as simple as concentrating on one thing at a time, trying a social media detox, or turning household tasks into a mental break. The point is to be consistent with your mindfulness practice and dedicate even just a few minutes to something you enjoy.

Improved sleep.  

Research has shown that being sleep-deprived can make you more vulnerable to stress, anxiety. Sleep deprivation can leave you more receptive to negative thoughts which can make you more emotionally reactive.