Emotional Self-Care: What It Is and How to Make It Part of Your Life

Emotional health is a critical piece of your total wellness. How you feel on the inside influences not only your mental wellness but your physical well-being as well. By learning to practice emotional self-care, you will be more likely to enjoy a happier, healthier life.

What is Emotional Self-Care Exactly?

Emotional self-care refers to the act of becoming aware of and identifying what you are feeling and allowing yourself to channel those feelings in a way that benefits your overall wellness.

Why it is Important to Your Health and Wellness

Your emotions directly correlate to how you feel every day.

When you have a healthy attitude about your emotions and know how to express yourself, you will be better equipped to handle the trials and tribulations of life. When you are not in touch with your own emotions, you are more likely to experience depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Since everyone experiences different emotions, there are benefits to gaining a better understanding of your own feelings. By practicing emotional self-care, you will give yourself a head start on leading a happier, healthier life.

Practicing Emotional Self-Care in Your Daily Life

Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, everyone can benefit from practicing emotional self-care.

Know Your Feelings

It’s natural to hold your emotions inside, but doing so can actually be quite harmful. One of the most important steps in emotional self-care is learning to feel more deeply and becoming more in tune with your feelings.

Problems may begin to materialize and then snowball into bigger issues when emotions are internalized, rather than expressed. When you allow yourself to feel, you will begin to heal and experience peace and happiness.

Understand Your Emotional Needs

Sometimes it’s okay to be selfish. We often struggle to put ourselves and our needs first, especially when others depend on us to be strong. By choosing to focus on your emotional needs first, it will help you and those around you.

Set Boundaries

Another key piece of emotional self-care is setting boundaries. If you struggle with putting yourself first, the chances are that you also have a tough time saying “no.”

If something is hurting you emotionally, it might be time to evaluate its place in your life. Set boundaries and make sure they are respected. Without them, you may find yourself feeling drained, sad, and angry.

Pinpoint Your Emotional Triggers

As you become more in tune with your emotions, you’ll begin to notice patterns.

Think about what causes you to feel uncomfortable emotions. Once you identify what triggers them, you can shift your focus to reducing their impact on your mental wellness.

Embrace Quiet Time

As busy as all our lives are, don’t forget to focus on basic self-care. Quiet time to rest and recharge is valuable to your emotional health, especially in today’s fast-paced society.

Take some time to meditate, practice breathing exercises, or write in your journal. Practicing simple self-care activities can help you achieve greater mental clarity and gain a better understanding of your feelings.

Contact Our Behavioral Health Specialists for More Information

Advantage Care Health Centers is your community resource for health and wellness. We provide quality, affordable mental/behavioral health services to all members of the community, regardless of insurance status or the ability to pay.

Contact us today to request an appointment! Our health care professionals can guide you on the path to total body wellness.