Our emotional health is at the heart of everything we do.
The storm in my body rages, a tempest of emotions that batters against my ribs and threatens to tear me apart from the inside out. Anger, sadness, fear – they crash together in waves, pulling me under into depths of turmoil I can’t comprehend.
My mind races along twisted pathways, haunted by memories that morph into monsters under the harsh light of anguish. I’m paralyzed, unable to escape the thundering chaos.
Every breath feels like shards of glass scraping my lungs raw. I’m adrift, lost in this maelstrom of feeling with no lighthouse to guide me home to calmer shores.
The struggle just to stay afloat consumes every fibre of my being as the storm shows no sign of breaking.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Emotional Health?
Emotional health, also known as mental or psychological well-being, refers to our ability to navigate and manage the emotional aspects of our lives effectively. The above represents a scenario many of us would have felt. The emotions are unseen and very real. Often, we are not sure how to deal with these emotions and other times, we know exactly what to do with those feelings to help us in our lives.
Emotional health involves having a positive sense of self-worth, the capacity to cope with life’s challenges, and the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. When we are healthy in this space, we are able to deal with the difficulties of life in a better manner.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), emotional health or mental health is “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.”
At the heart of it, emotional health is about striking a balance between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It’s not about being happy all the time, but rather cultivating resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to experience and express a range of emotions in a healthy manner.
It’s not about being happy all the time, but rather building resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to experience and show emotions in a healthy manner.
How Does Science Explain Emotional Health
Science offers fascinating insights into emotional health, looking at it from two main physiological angles: the brain and the body’s response. In simple terms, when we are faced with a stimulus, anything that may arouse a reaction, we will feel certain emotions. These emotions may then impact our behaviour. The better we are at managing those emotions, we healthier our emotional well-being will be.
The Brain and Emotions
Neural Pathways: Our brains have specific circuits that process emotions. The nerve cells or neurons make up these pathways. When these circuits function well, we experience a wide range of emotions appropriately. However, some mental health conditions are linked to abnormalities in these pathways.
Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters, play a crucial role in emotions. Imbalances in neurotransmitters (like serotonin and dopamine) are thought to contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
The Body and Emotions:
Physiological Responses: Emotions trigger real physical changes in our bodies, which affect how we behave. For example, fear makes the heart race; happiness activates reward centres in the brain. Science is exploring how these responses can impact overall health.
Stress and Emotions: Stress is a normal reaction to a change we encounter in our lives. It becomes an issue when it lingers and becomes chronic. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of physical health problems. Australians are reporting increasing levels of stress. According to the National Health Survey: In 2020, it is estimated that more than half of Australians (59%) experienced at least one personal stressor in the last 12 months. Emotional health is seen as being intricately linked to physical health.
The Next Step in Emotional Well Being
Building Resilience: The ability to bounce back from challenges is a key aspect of emotional well-being.
Cultivating Positive Emotions: Research suggests that positive emotions like gratitude and joy can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. Charity and volunteering are known to help your emotional well being.
How does Emotional Well Being Impact Our Lives
Science-backed research has shows the impact of emotional health on various aspects of our lives. Boosting emotional health will have a direct impact on all of these:
Physical health
Numerous studies have shown a strong link between emotional health and physical well-being. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, and contribute to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and chronic pain.
Cognitive function:
Emotional health plays a crucial role in cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and decision-making. Research from the Harvard Medical School suggests that chronic stress and negative emotions can impair cognitive function, while positive emotional states can enhance mental performance.
Relationships:
Emotional intelligence, which involves the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively, is a key predictor of successful interpersonal relationships. Studies have found that individuals with higher emotional intelligence tend to have more satisfying personal and professional relationships.
Productivity and performance:
Emotional well-being is closely tied to our ability to focus, problem-solve, and perform at our best. Research from the University of Warwick found that happy employees were 12% more productive than their counterparts.
Resilience:
Emotional health is closely linked to resilience, which is our ability to bounce back from adversity and cope with stress effectively. Resilient individuals tend to have better emotional regulation skills, a positive outlook, and supportive social networks, all of which contribute to their overall well-being.
It’s important to note that emotional health exists on a continuum, and everyone experiences ups and downs in their emotional state. However, by cultivating self-awareness, practicing self-care, and seeking support when needed, we can nurture our emotional well-being and enhance our overall quality of life.
If you or anyone you know if struggling, please know help and support is available. For NSW residents, please visit NSW Health Resources.
Tight hug and best vibes from us.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks