Emotional well-being, or emotional health, refers to the extent to which people are able to accept and manage their emotions and deal with lifelong challenges.
Emotional well-being can affect how well a person works on a daily basis or how they cope with change or uncertainty.
Difficulties in emotional well-being can have a negative effect on a person’s mental and physical health.
This article looks at emotional well-being, what factors can affect it, indicates that someone may have difficulty with emotional well-being, and tips for improving it.
What is Emotional Well-Being?
The National Center for Emotional Wellness (NCEW) defines emotional well-being as the awareness, understanding and acceptance of emotion and the ability to effectively manage change or challenge times.
Uncomfortable or painful emotions and strong thoughts can affect how people work and make people feel like they are losing control of their lives.
By making everyone aware of the emotions and how to deal with them, NCEW says people can regain a sense of control, reduce stress, and continue to function in a healthy way. Can keep
Why is Emotional Well-Being Important?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), emotional well-being is important because it can affect how people work and how they go about their daily lives.
It can also affect how well individuals are able to cope with stressful situations and challenges, how they adapt to change, and how they respond to difficult life events.
Emotional well-being can affect relationships, work, and overall mental and physical health.
Emotional health problems can also affect physical health and can lead to high blood pressure, a weakened immune system and an increase in illness.
Factors that can Influence Emotional Well-Being?
Factors that can influence emotional well-being may include:
- challenges with work, school, relationships, or home life
- changes in health
- changes in relationships
- retirement, which may affect social circles or sense of purpose
- losing loved ones
- moving away from family and friends
Tips to Improve Emotional Well-Being in Children and Adolescents
At home, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends that parents and caregivers:
- be there to listen
- regularly ask them about how they feel
- stay involved in their life and show an interest in what they find important
- support them through difficulties and help them work through it
- encourage their interests
- build positive routines
- take what they say seriously
Signs a Person is Experiencing Difficulties with their Emotional well-being
Signs that people are experiencing difficulties may include:
- persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- feeling irritable, tearful, or angry
- withdrawing socially
- loss of interest in activities that are usually enjoyable
- changes to eating or sleeping patterns
- feeling restless or agitated
- fatigue or lack of energy
- difficulty concentrating
- neglecting self-care
- difficulties with work or studies, or carrying out everyday tasks
- mood swings
- thoughts of death or suicide
- self-harm
- substance misuse
Emotional well-being refers to the extent to which people are able to act on their emotions and cope with life’s challenges.
Managing stress, fostering positive social relationships, and taking care of physical and mental health can all help these people maintain good emotional health.