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3 Ways to Help Your Emotional Wellbeing

May 19, 2016  |  Emotional wellbeing, Exercise, Mental health month, Mental illness

You\'ve probably heard it around home, work or school when you get sick: "Take good care of yourself!"

But while people are typically talking about your physical health, it\'s also important to keep your emotional health in good shape, too. May is Mental Health Month, a great time to brush up on what it takes to care for your emotional wellbeing just like you do your physical wellbeing. What is "emotional wellbeing", you may ask? According to the Mental Health Foundation, emotional wellbeing is defined as "a positive sense of wellbeing which enables an individual to be able to function in society and meet the demands of everyday life." Sounds like a mouthful, doesn\'t it? It\'s really all about coping skills and rebounding from the challenges that life sometimes gives us.

When you\'re in good emotional health, you know you can face whatever life throws at you. You are able to deal with issues squarely and rebound well. If you\'re not in good emotional health, the stress can affect other areas of your life like work, home, finances and more.

So here are a few things to - pardon the pun - keep in mind when it comes to your own emotional wellbeing:

  1. Take care of yourself. Give yourself time to breathe. Exercise or get outside for a walk to clear your mind during a busy day. You can also read a book, work in your garden, or maybe just pamper yourself with a hot bath.
  2. Do something for others. Volunteer in your community. Libraries sometimes have opportunities to read to kids, your perhaps a local club has something you\'d enjoy doing to help kids, teens or seniors.
  3. Find resources to help. If you think things are getting to be too much to handle emotionally, ask for help. Ask at your workplace about any Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that they have available. You can also call one of the agencies MHRS works with to serve the mental health needs of Warren and Clinton County residents. And if you need help right away, call the Crisis Hotline at 1-877-695-NEED (6333).

When there\'s a need for help, it\'s close by - whether it comes from your own abilities or your outreach to others, know you can rebound and help others. That\'s wellbeing ... and being well!