Thoughts and emotions affect not just your mental health, but also your physical health. The mind is an organ that is connected to the entire body. This means that our emotions, thoughts, and feelings all affect our overall well-being. When someone has great emotional health it means they are aware of their thoughts and feelings, and are able to communicate them positively, fostering great relationships with other people.
That being said, life is unexpected and many things will happen that negatively impact your emotional health. Stress, anxiety, anger and sadness will all occur at some point in everyone's lives. Events such as being fired, a death in the family, divorce or illness, moving to a new place, or financial issues can all bring about unwanted stress.
Emotions affect your physical health through a variety of different ways. For instance, during times of stress, some people develop ulcers or high blood pressure. For others, some develop chest pains from anxiety. Others may develop acne on their faces, or lose sleep and appetite. However, just like the way negative emotions affect our bodies negatively, positive thoughts can improve our health in many ways.
Here are some ways to improve your emotional health:
1. Communicate and express feelings to people around you. It is always best to be honest if you are feeling stress or anxiety, but if it's causing physical problems, it is a good idea to seek professional help.
2. Keep a gratitude journal. Studies have shown if you write down 5 things a day that you are grateful for, it promotes positive thoughts which leads to positive feelings and emotional health.
3. Take care of your physical health. Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep. It will go a long way for your emotional and physical health.
4. Calm your mind. Meditation, guided imagery, and Tai Chi are just some ideas of relaxing practices that will ease your mind. Studies have show relaxation and breathing techniques can change how your brain deals with external events.
Please note, if you are having symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, back pain, and/or insomnia, it is best to seek help from a professional. Treatments that are available include psychotherapy, antidepressants and ketamine infusions to help those suffering from severe mental health conditions.
Contact our Fayetteville, NC ketamine infusion and wellness center for more information on how we can support your mental, physical and emotional health.
