Guys. Emotional health is SO IMPORTANT and needs just as much attention as our physical health! Sometimes I catch myself falling into slumps of anxiety or depression, and I know it could have been avoided if I spent more time maintaining my emotional health. Even though it doesn’t happen often, and isn’t too crippling that I can’t function, depression or anxiety can still get me down and hinder my daily life.
Getting stuck in those slumps is the worst, and this past week has been one of those weeks. So today I’m sharing some tips for maintaining emotional health, because I know they can help prevent those seasons of emotional distress. And when those seasons are unavoidable, these tips will keep you functioning and able to get through them much more smoothly!
3 Ways to maintain emotional health
1. Let it out
It is SO important to get your feelings out! Whether it’s through journaling or talking to a trusted friend, sharing how you’re feeling is a huge step in the right direction. Sometimes just hearing your thoughts out loud can make your fears shrink, or make an answer to a problem become clear. So talk, write, pray, see a counselor; just LET IT OUT!
Related post: 3 Amazing Benefits of Journaling Regularly
2. Exercise
You’ve probably heard this one a million times, but that’s because it WORKS! Exercising allows you to channel all the pent-up energy in your body and burn it in a healthy way. This prevents the energy from going to your brain and leaving your thoughts and emotions in overdrive. Plus, it gives you something to focus on and helps you feel accomplished, which will give you an emotional boost. Not to mention that post-workout endorphin high! Your mind will be clearer and your body more relaxed which naturally eases symptoms.
3. Morning and evening routines
Maintaining morning and evening routines is probably the most important thing you can do for your emotional health. This is something you can work on all the time, so you’re prepared for whenever anxiety or depression does strike. A good morning routine could include quiet time, exercise, and eating a healthy breakfast; and a good evening routine could be turning off electronics, reading, journaling, stretching, and sticking to the same bedtime every night.
If these routines aren’t a habit, then it’s these simple tasks that can be the first to go out the window when you’re feeling down. This can throw off the rest of your day and make you feel less in control. But when you’re able to mindlessly follow your routines, even during a slump, then you’ll feel better prepared to face the day and continue to take care of yourself. And of course, by sticking to them every day, you’ll feel happier and healthier overall, which will help prevent future slumps.
A fall playlist
I think listening to music can be a great way to relieve stress and find comfort during hard times. Music has such a powerful affect on our emotions (which could honestly be good or bad), and with the right balance it can give us hope and help us feel less alone.
I created this fall playlist on Spotify so I could have a calming and relaxing soundtrack to play in the background throughout my day. Each song holds a sense of nostalgia for me and has been a favorite at some point in my life. It’s mostly acoustic which I think is perfect for autumn days. I hope you love it as much as I do!
What are some ways you maintain emotional health? Anything you would add to this list? Also let me know if you like the playlist and I’ll try to make some more in the future! 🍂
Xo,
Becka
P.S. – In case you missed it: a casual fall outfit, and why you should declutter your life!
