Don’t Neglect Emotional Health
We try to make the holidays about fun and family, but it’ is also easy to let the stress of the season overwhelm us. Whether it’s the financial burden of gift-giving, the stress of getting the house ready for family or an overwhelming calendar full of events, the season can wear on your emotions, and that’s not good.
Any conversation about living well seems to naturally center around physical health. There’s good reason for that. Eating well and being active are both critical components in the pursuit of a healthy life, but emotional well-being is equally as important.
Research consistently shows that there is a link between a positive state of mind and physical health. People who are emotionally healthy generally have lower blood pressure, healthier weight and a lower risk of heart disease. Additionally, they are better able to manage their thoughts and behaviors and are better equipped to cope with the challenges life can bring. The good news is that, as with physical health, there are steps that we can take to strengthen our mental and emotional wellness.
These practical tips from the National Institute of Mental Health can help us all manage our level of stress: to be expensive, painful or difficult. Just 30 minutes per day of walking can help boost your mood and reduce stress.
Be sure to take time to relax. Prayer, meditation, yoga or other gentle exercises are all great ways to reduce stress. Another good practice is to unplug from devices and instead use the time to read a book, play a game, build a puzzle or enjoy a good conversation with friends.
A long to-do list can be the enemy of emotional and mental well-being, but it doesn’t have to be. Make a list of all that you need to complete and then prioritize what has to be done right away and what can wait. Work through the list based on those priorities and be sure to scratch through items as they’re completed. This will give you a strong sense of accomplishment and will leave you with a more manageable list as you begin the next day. Also, don’t be afraid to say no to new tasks if they are pushing you into overload.