It’s generally easy to understand what it means to enjoy good physical wellness. A person who is physically healthy and well is one who is without disease or injury — fairly straightforward. But what about emotional wellness? Here at the MindBody Medicine Center, we believe emotional wellness is just as important as physical wellness and, in fact, the two are inextricably linked and that to be fully healthy requires both strong emotional and physical health.
The issue is that it’s easy to know when you aren’t 100% physically well. You run a high fever, you get a painful ache in your back, you start getting more eye floaters. All of these and more, are obvious signs that something is wrong and that it is time to seek out medical help in order to regain your physical health.
Yet, things aren’t always so straight forward with emotional wellness and often it requires a more conscious evaluation of one’s self to understand whether something is wrong or not. The following is a look at some key signs of good emotional health to help guide you in your own self-evaluation of emotional wellness. Note, however, that no one will be 100% all of these things and that a person may naturally feel or be stronger in one area than another. The important thing is to use these signs as trail markers and if you feel you’re lost on one, then it’s likely time to stop and consider how to get back on the path.
Three Key Signs or Trail Markers of Strong Emotional Wellness
- You can easily adapt to changes. While it is certainly understandable for us to embrace what we are comfortable with, it is important to likewise be adaptable when our routines are interrupted or our normal turned upside down. Life is and will always be unpredictable, and those who are emotionally well are capable of positively expressing their emotions. They are also able to refocus their mental energy to adapt to life changes. If you struggle with this, try and hone your adaptation skills by doing at least one new thing every month that breaks from your routine (i.e. trying joining a yoga session for the first time or volunteering).
- You have various positive relationships. No man is an island and even the most staunch of introverts understands that fostering and maintaining positive human relationships is an important aspect of emotional and mental wellness. Of course, keeping and building new positive relationships isn’t easy and that’s why being able to do so is a sign of strong emotional wellness. To do this requires strong emotional intelligence, the ability to empathize, and the ability to appropriately communicate one’s thoughts and feelings. If you struggle with this, then try scheduling at least one weekly friend date (i.e. a Wednesday walk and talk hang out at your favorite park).
- You are comfortable with yourself. Do you often think of all the things you did wrong over the course of the day? Are you often chastising yourself and comparing yourself to someone else? If so, then it is time to recalibrate and look at your emotional health. A person who is emotionally healthy generally feels content about who they are and where they are in life. This doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time, as it is good to want to change and improve, but it does mean thinking and speaking of yourself and to yourself positively. If you struggle with this, then one good place to start is by writing daily affirmations on your mirror and repeating them every morning (i.e. “I am a smart and capable person”).
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To learn more about the importance of emotional wellness and your physical health, visit our website or contact our team.