What is Emotional Health? Emotional Health Definition and Tips

When you think of your health, what comes to mind? You might think of your physical or your mental health, and you would be right. Both physical and mental health are important parts of our overall health and well-being, but they’re not the only parts.

Emotional health is one of the often overlooked but still important aspects of our mental health. An emotionally healthy person is someone who is resilient, able to identify their emotions, and has coping mechanisms to deal with both positive and negative emotions.

Emotional health is important for holistic well-being and a balanced, happy life. Let’s take a look at how to cultivate it.

What is Holistic Health?

Emotional health is just one aspect of our health, and it is far from the only one. Other categories of health include:

Physical health: The most oft-referred type of health, this is the health of your body. Sleeping well, eating healthy, and getting exercise are all important aspects of your physical health.
Mental health: This refers to the psychological aspects of our health; if physical health is in the body then mental health is in the brain. It is how we think, perceive, and react to things.
Social health: Social health is often underestimated. Humans are social creatures, and we need to be in community with our peers. Social health can include friends, families, colleagues, or organizations.
Spiritual: This does not have to refer to organized religion or a set belief system, although it can. Spiritual health is one of the most diverse types of health because there is no one way to be spiritually healthy. It may look like yoga, gratefulness, prayer, church, volunteering, values, or spending time in nature.
Emotional: The type of health we’re focusing on in this article is all about our emotions. What we feel, why, and how we respond to our emotions.

All five of these areas of health are important, and a good self-care routine should include aspects of all of them.

What is Emotional Health?

Emotional health includes:

Emotional regulation
Emotional awareness (being able to identify positive and negative emotions)
Coping skills for distressing emotions

Someone can be having a hard day or be struggling with mental illness and still have good emotional health. Mental illness is often caused by genetics, trauma, or brain chemicals—biological components out of our control. Emotional health is about what you do when you experience a distressing emotion. Are you able to label it as a distressing emotion? How do you handle it?

Signs of an emotionally healthy person include:

Self-Awareness: Emotionally healthy individuals have a good understanding of their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They can reflect on their actions and take responsibility for them.
Emotional Regulation: They can manage their emotions effectively, not letting their feelings control them. They can express themselves appropriately and cope with stress in a constructive way.
Healthy Boundaries: They are able to set boundaries in their relationships and respect the boundaries of others. They know when to say no and prioritize their own well-being.
Empathy: They show empathy and compassion towards others, understanding and validating their feelings. They can connect with others on an emotional level.
Resilience: Emotionally healthy individuals can bounce back from setbacks and challenges. They have the ability to adapt to change and see difficult situations as opportunities for growth.
Positive Relationships: They have fulfilling and supportive relationships with others. They can communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and seek help when needed.
Self-Care: They prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. They engage in activities that promote their health and happiness, such as exercise, hobbies, and relaxation techniques.
Purpose and Meaning: They have a sense of purpose in life and pursue activities that bring them fulfillment. They have goals and aspirations that give their life direction and meaning.

These signs may ebb and flow with life’s hardships. What’s important is consistent action toward sustained emotional health.

10 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Health

Supporting your emotional health doesn’t have to be hard. Doing a little bit every day can go a long way. If you want to improve your emotional health, choose 2-3 of these tasks and do them daily.

Identify negative self-talk: Negative self-talk can quickly spiral into low self-esteem, low mood, and mental illness. Start cultivating emotional health by simply identifying and labeling negative self-talk.
Set goals and celebrate victories: Working towards and achieving goals (like SMART goals) can increase self-esteem, resilience, confidence, and self-worth.
Cut down on alcohol and drug use: When drugs are used to numb emotions or avoid feeling bad emotions, they’re a maladaptive coping mechanism and hurt your emotional health.
Write down your values: Living by your values is a great way to become healthier. Write down your top 3 or 5 values and do one thing a day that exemplifies them.
Confide in others: Stoicism is a valued trait in our society, but emotional vulnerability and seeking support in others is an important part of our emotional health.
Schedule time for yourself: When was the last time you engaged in a hobby, just because it was fun? Being able to have fun, create, and enjoy yourself is a hallmark of solid emotional health.
Practice empathy, for yourself and others: Empathy and resilience go hand-in-hand. Practice empathy for yourself by forgiving your mistakes or perceived downfalls. Practice empathy for others by helping out someone in need.
Write down something you're grateful for every day: Gratefulness is a powerful way to increase positive emotions. It doesn’t have to be a big thing every day, but something small like the weather or a good meal.
Cultivate positive thoughts: Toxic positivity is something that should be avoided, but being positive can also be a protective factor against mental illness. Try to think positive thoughts about yourself and your abilities.
Talk to a therapist: We all could use a little help from time to time. If you’re struggling to maintain good emotional health, a therapist can help! Therapists aren’t just for mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or trauma. They can also help you live a more balanced, fulfilled life.

Emotional health is an important part of our overall health, and should not be overlooked. If you’re struggling with your emotional health with strong emotions that seem to take over your control, overly negative emotions, or constant negativity or pessimism, therapy can help.

Talk to Lifebulb about being matched with a therapist near you today. We offer virtual therapists throughout the United States and accept most major insurances, with little to no wait times. Don’t wait to find emotional health and freedom today.

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