As reported by Mental Health Foundation, emotional wellbeing is “a positive sense of wellbeing which enables an individual to be able to function in society and meet the demands of everyday life; people in good mental health have the ability to recover effectively from illness, change or misfortune.’

In other words, emotional wellbeing defines how we think, feel and connect with ourselves and other people, and how we perceive the world surrounding us. Having good emotional wellbeing influences our ability to build, develop and manage relationships. It also enables us to adapt more easily  to significant life changes, like for example, divorce, death of a loved one or loss of a job.

Why is good emotional wellbeing important ?

Good emotional wellbeing help people not only to stay resilient and to deal with the challenges of life but also to:

– Build deeper  relationships. When you’re equipped with the skills to manage your emotions, it’s easier for you to connect with others and show more empathy and compassion.

– Increase your self-esteem. Your thoughts, feelings, and experiences influence the way you feel about yourself. Good emotional health helps you see the best in yourself despite challenges.

– Feel more energized. Having a positive outlook helps you focus and think more clearly, whereas poor emotional health depletes your mental resources and leads to exhaustion.

How to improve emotional wellbeing?

Improving your emotional wellbeing  can be a rewarding experience, benefiting all aspects of life, including boosting mood and adding to overall enjoyment of life.

Here 5 tips you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing: 

1. Connect with other people. Strong relationships with family and friends can allow us to share our feelings and know that we are understood. They provide an opportunity to share positive experiences, and can give us emotional support, as well as the chance to support others. Relationships help build a sense of belonging and self-worth. 

2. Stay physically active: Exercise can boost blood flow and other positive nutrients to the brain, increase your levels of dopamine and generate new brain cells that can help the brain self-regulate and calm down. 

3. Learn new skills. Learning can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, help build a sense of purpose, and foster connection with others. People engaged in learning report feeling better about themselves and a greater ability to cope with stress. They also feel more self confidence, hope and purpose.

4. Help others. Small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger acts – such as volunteering in your local community – can give you a sense of purpose and make you feel happier and more satisfied about life. Giving our time to others in a constructive way helps us to strengthen our relationships and build new ones.

5. Be mindful. Mindfulness is an important part of mental wellbeing; it can help us take stock of the fast-paced world around us and understand our emotions and feelings better. Practising mindfulness regularly can help reduce stress and improve mood; it can also help people to become more emotionally alert, to listen more attentively, communicate more clearly, and can increase self-awareness and the awareness of others.

If you have an ongoing emotional problem or you just need support to improve your wellbeing, consider speaking with one of BAC counsellors.