A Thriving Well-Being: Mental and Emotional Health

Let’s take a moment to bring out your thoughts and feelings about your health and wellness.  Is it positive? Hopeful?  Thriving?  Or perhaps the opposite.  Downhearted? Stuck in the muck? Impossible to change?  When you observe these two contrasting states, you get the sense how strongly your mental and emotional fitness drive your way forward to a thriving well-being.
This post is the second in the series of “A Thriving Well-Being”.  Each post will address the seven components of well-being as outlined in a holistic and comprehensive assessment developed by Wellcoaches*.
Every year on October 10th, World Mental Health Day is celebrated.  It recognizes the importance of mental health and sheds the stigma of talking about real mental suffering out loud.  There is no shame in asking for help when you are in despair.  That healing begins when you reach out to others instead of suffering in silence.
Once you heal, the journey continues as you establish a daily routine of practices to foster mental and emotional fitness.  Having a sound mind and positive emotions opens the door to doing the work to take care of yourself.
Let me share with you the top three things I practice to work towards reaching optimal mental and emotional fitness.

#1 Mindfulness

I recently started working with a health coach (yes coaches need their own coach as well :)).  One of my goals is focused on becoming more mindful of emotional triggers.  Paying close attention with how I react to situations that trigger negative emotions.  So far, I’ve learned when I feel cranky and overwhelmed, it stems from my need for order and harmony.  But when you have kids, it seems far-fetched to expect a clean and orderly home, so what’s a mom to do?  The next best step was knowing how to cope with it.
Part of being mindful is to be aware of the bodily signals I experience when my needs aren’t met.  For me,  I feel my heart racing and shallow breathing.  And when this happens, I have managed at most times to pause and tune in to my breath (my morning ritual of 10 minutes of meditation taught me how to be one with my breath)  This is a benefit to both my kids and myself as I aim to respond in a calm and reserved way.

#2 Journaling

I started writing in a journal when I was 11 years old.  One collection I treasure most are my journals with about 20 filled in from the past 30 years of my life.  Another part of my morning ritual is The Five Minute Journal which sets me in a positive mood as I write down 3 things I am grateful for, 3 actions that would make the day great, and an affirmation.  I also have a prayer journal to write down praises and gratitude as well as prayers for my family, friends and those I’ve connected with. A few times a month I would spend time reading past entries to reflect on past learning experiences and growth throughout the years. This practice has helped me appreciate every part of my life – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
five minute journal

#3 Connections

Even though I consider myself as introverted and it takes effort for me to meet new people, I am fulfilled when I make a strong connection with someone. To have meaningful conversations, to laugh out loud, and even shed tears. Knowing we can support one another when things don’t go the way we expected. I place a huge value on my relationship with my family and friends and grateful to all the people I’ve crossed paths with. Every one of them have shaped my life to where it is today.
Of course, we can continue to do more for our mental and emotional health.  The same things we do for our physical health applies.  Like proper nutrition, daily physical activity, getting enough quality sleep, and knowing how to manage stress.
How about you – what are the top 3 things you do to nurture your mental and emotional fitness?

*Interested in increasing your awareness about your well-being?  Take a Well-Being Assessment!  Access this link => CLICK HERE  and enter my email address – elaine@evokestrong.com in the Coach’s email address.  Don’t worry this doesn’t commit you to a coaching session with me, however if you have any questions after you take the assessment, feel free to email me 🙂

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13 Comments

  1. […] activity, weight management) but is also affected by other dimensions such as life satisfaction and mental/emotional health.  Most importantly, in the end you recognize the gap where you are today and where you want to […]

  2. Working on exercises to develop and maintain your mental health is so important. I have recently read The Miracle Morning and taken on the 30-day challenge which incorporates both Journaling and mindfulness/meditation amongst other exercises. I’m finding it really useful.

    1. I love that book as well! Curious to find out your experience after the 30-day challenge.

  3. I used to journal all the time! I guess I do more typing than writing these days. I do miss it at times, and I would love to get back to it.
    I am thankful that there is more advocating for mental health and wellness these days!

    1. I agree Esther – with social media more, we are hearing more about mental health and raising awareness surrounding suicide prevention.

  4. I am working on mindfulness. Running is a huge part of my emotional well-being. I keep intending to journal but just can’t seem to get started. I think I need a plan for journaling to make it happen.

    1. A plan would help to get started. Sounds like you have a great physical activity to nurture your emotional well-being 🙂 I’m a big fan of running too!

  5. I used to journal as a teenager but I stopped once I went to college. I’m thinking of starting it back up again. Thanks for the reminder that I should really do this.

    1. You’re welcome Kim!

  6. I have a journal that I’ve kept since I was 14. Unfortunately, once my blogging took off, I don’t do much (if any) journaling anymore because so much of my life is documented on the blog. I really need to just commit to getting back to it. I also have done a lot of gratitude journaling (mostly bullet points at the end of the day), and that needs a recharge as well. Thanks for the prompt!

    1. Blogging is similar to journaling particularly if you’re open to sharing your life online. Good to hear you’re thinking about recharging your ‘gratitude list’ at the end of the day.

  7. I don’t do anywhere near enough work on my mental fitness as I do on my physical fitness. Great reminder thanks!

    1. You’re welcome! Glad to serve as a reminder.

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