Mental health has been a hot button issue for some time now, and for good reason. Our emotional wellbeing is just as vital as our physical wellbeing, and yet it can be so hard to prioritize our mental health – day-to-day stress and obligations can stand in the way. But we all must prioritize our emotional health, and this article will provide some effective strategies for doing so. Read on to learn more about how to prioritize your mental health and take steps towards long-term emotional wellbeing.
1. Cultivating Mental Wellbeing – An Overview
Most of us understand the importance of physical health, but mental wellbeing is often overlooked. Good mental health improves our ability to lead an enjoyable life and should not be taken for granted. So, how can we cultivate mental wellbeing?
Prioritize Relationships: Our relationships are fundamental to our mental wellbeing. Ensuring that our connections with others are healthy and fulfilling is essential. Great relationships are built on mutual respect, communication, and a sense of understanding. Valuing your relationships, both family, and friends, creates a sense of security, trust, and connection.
Focus on the Present: Being mindful helps us stay in the present moment. Acknowledging our thoughts, feelings, and environment can allow us to experience each moment. Allowing ourselves to be fully present can reduce anxiety and increase clarity. Some activities to help get started include regular meditation, yoga, and paying attention to breathing.
Set Goals: Setting goals helps track our progress and can give us a sense of purpose. When setting goals, aim for ones that are measurable and have a timeline. Taking steps toward achieving goals can give us a sense of accomplishment and drive. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself along the way.
- Self-esteem and self-confidence
- Good coping skills and resilient thinking
- Reach out to others for support
- Incorporate physical activities into your day
Engage in Self-Care: Taking care of ourselves is a must in order to maintain good mental health. Self-care involves engaging in activities that give us satisfaction, making time for our personal needs, and monitoring our stress levels. Incorporating self-care into our lives can reduce chronic stress, lead to a better night’s rest, and improve our overall wellbeing.
2. Finding Ways to Prioritize Mental Health
Living in the modern world is no small feat. It can be stressful to keep up with everything from work and family obligations to personal relationships and even our own physical health. But it should be noted that mental health is just as important as physical health, and prioritizing it should be a top priority. Here are some ways to prioritize mental health:
- Make time for yourself: Take a few moments every day to step away from the hustle and bustle and give yourself a break. Whether it’s going for a walk or getting lost in a good book, these few minutes can make a world of difference.
- Focus on Mental Well-Being: Self-care practices are important for keeping your mental health in check. From therapy and yoga to journaling and meditation, taking steps to foster mental health can help prevent unnecessary stress or anxiety.
- Prioritize Quality Sleep: Poor sleep has been linked to a variety of physical and mental health issues. Try setting a regular bedtime routine and stick to it. Let the bedroom be a designated relaxation space– free from technology and any other source of stress.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Having a supportive group of people around you is incredibly important, especially in moments of stress or anxiety. Make sure to reach out to friends, family, and other sources of support when you need it.
Maintaining mental health is a process. There is no one size fits all recipe and it often takes trial and error to find the solutions that work best for you. That being said, implementing healthy activities to give your mental health priority can help alleviate stress and anxiety. In the long run, the effort put in will pay off.
Finding methods to make sure that mental health is a priority takes time and effort. But taking a step back and prioritizing your mental health is worth the effort, and can offer a new perspective on life.
3. Taking Stock: Examining Feelings and Emotions
Observe How You Feel
- Notice your body’s signals – your posture, sweat, shallow or deep breathing.
- Think about how you really feel, rather than how you want to feel.
- Take time to observe which emotions you are going through.
Many times in life, our feelings remain hidden and unexamined. But the fact is, emotional awareness is a key part of our health and overall well-being. When we take stock of our feelings and emotions, we can learn to express and process them in healthy, productive ways.
How can we start to take stock of our feelings and emotions? First and foremost, we should be mindful of how our body is responding to what’s going on in our lives and within us. Notice your body’s signals – your posture, sweat, shallow or deep breathing – and take time to observe what emotions you are going through. Don’t focus on how you think you should feel. Instead, think about how you really feel.
Sometimes our feelings are overwhelming and difficult to handle and process. Acknowledge and accept this. Know that it’s okay to not be okay and that feelings change, they come and go. You are not defined by them.
Manage Your Feelings
- Stay open to understanding and interpreting emotions.
- Be aware of the thoughts that drive your emotions.
- Reframe negative thoughts into positive affirmations.
Once we recognize our feelings and better understand them, we can take further steps to manage them. Try journaling or using meditation and mindfulness as a way of understanding and interpreting your emotions.
Recognize the thoughts and beliefs that drive your emotions. Do you often take on too much of the blame or think too negatively about the world or yourself? Begin to reframe these thought patterns into positive affirmations like, “I can handle this” or “I am strong and capable.”
Take a moment to pause. Accept whatever emotion you’re going through. Don’t ignore or repress it. Instead, turn inward and reflect. Taking stock of your feelings and emotions may seem difficult at first, but remember, you can turn inward and understand them in more constructive ways.
4. Moving Forward: Practical Strategies for Emotional Wellbeing
Focus on What You Can Control
The first step in taking ownership of your emotional wellbeing is learning to focus on what you can control. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the biggest challenges we face. But break them down into smaller, manageable tasks, and you’ll soon realize there’s a lot you can do to improve your emotional wellbeing.
Start taking charge of areas where you know you can make a difference. Some suggestions:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Take time for yourself each day
- Try to live in the present, instead of worrying about the future
By building a foundation of habits related to physical and mental health, you create an environment that allows you to nurture your emotional wellbeing.
Limit Stressful Situations
Nobody is immune to stressful situations. But it’s important to observe how much stress you put your body through. Consider what stressors you can take on and which you should avoid. It may take some trial and error to figure out what works for you, but when you do, make sure you stick to it. This helps reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed in times of strain.
Find Ways to Relax
Life can be stressful and fast-paced, but it’s important to take time for yourself. Find activities that help you relax and enjoy – reading, watching movies, painting, playing an instrument, exercise, or yoga. The point is to make time for things you enjoy – the activities that will make you feel energized and replenished, which in turn helps strengthen your emotional wellbeing.
Develop a Support Network
No man is an island, and none of us are expected to go it alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to close friends or family members whom you trust. Create a support network to help you through the hard times. Finding a peer group of those who understand your struggles first-hand can be incredibly therapeutic. Investing in meaningful relationships provides us with coping strategies, which can go a long way when it comes to managing stress and looking after our emotional wellbeing.
Taking care of your mental health is not a one-time event. By committing to prioritize your emotional wellness on a continual basis, you’ll give yourself the power to stay in charge of your own wellbeing, day after day. So go ahead—invest in yourself, and allow yourself to prioritize mental health for total emotional wellbeing.
