Emotional Health
What is emotional health?
Emotional health refers to how someone thinks and feels, and includes their ability to cope with life events, their sense of well-being, and how they acknowledge their emotions and those of others. Emotional health does not mean that someone is happy at all times, but that they can acknowledge and process the various emotions felt on a daily basis.
Emotional health is a skill that can be strengthened, and some ways to maintain or improve emotional health include:
- Thinking before acting
- Being aware of emotions and reactions
- Managing stress
- Expressing feelings in appropriate ways
- Taking care of physical health
- Striving for balance
- Finding purpose and meaning
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
Why is emotional health important in healthcare?
Emotional health is an important aspect of a person’s overall health because those who are emotionally healthy can control their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Additionally, those in good emotional health can better cope with the challenges they encounter while more easily bouncing back from setbacks.
Good emotional health is also a vital contributor to good relationships, which eases poor mental health that can result from loneliness. Emotional health can also affect physical health by lowering blood pressure, promoting a healthier weight, and reducing the risk of heart disease.