6 Tips for Improving Your Emotional Wellness

While October is better known for being #SpookySeason, it is also National Emotional Wellness Month. Emotional wellness is defined as the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Everyone’s emotional wellness has suffered from lock-downs, job instability, and the uncertainty of everyday life that is 2020. This can have a negative effect on your everyday activities, personal relationships, productivity, and overall mental health.

Reduce Stress

Being told to reduce stress probably made you laugh. It seems hard to reduce stressors in your life, but if you don’t let your heart calm down on occasion, you can develop chronic stress. Ways to reduce stress include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, prioritizing, and trying relaxation methods such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.

Get Quality Sleep

I know we already said to sleep more, but it’s important! Not only should you sleep more, you should sleep better. Create a night-time routine. You may be an adult, but you’ll appreciate a bedtime once you’ve experienced the benefits. No phone or TV screens after a certain time, reduce caffeine as the day goes on, and get your mind in a relaxed state. Trust us, sleep is great.

Look for Positives

According to the experts, people who are emotionally well have fewer negative emotions and are able to handle difficulties better, and also feel positive for longer and appreciate the good times. Ways to increase your positive outlook include writing down 3 things to be thankful for each day, spending more time with friends and family, forgive yourself for mistakes, and work towards developing healthy habits.

Strengthen Social Connections

During quarantine, we have all been prevented from spending quality time with friends and family. Today’s technology allows us to text, call, and even video chat with our loved ones. Even though it may not feel genuine to “schedule” friends and family time, it is valuable to your emotional wellness. Call your mom, call your grandparents, call your high school best friend. Be Shia LaBeouf and JUST DO IT.

Cope with Loss

Whether you have lost someone recently or some time has passed, that loss created an impact on your life. It can be hard to face feelings of grief but confronting those feelings will improve your emotional wellness. Talk to your support network and/or a support group, be patient, and avoid bad habits.

Be Mindful

This doesn’t mean you have to meditate all the time – it just means you should try to be more aware of what’s happening in the present. Form healthy habits, take deep breaths when feeling stressed, exercise and go on walks, and actively work on becoming aware of the world around you.