Mindset Shifts to improve Emotional Health.
The past year has been like no other. The pandemic has left no life untouched. Many of us have had our lives turned upside down and roundabout. We have had to develop many emotional skills to cope. Mindset shifts around certain fixed thoughts and beliefs can help improve our emotional health.
I teach the Four Pillars of Health & Wellness in my practice, they are:
- Nutrition
- Movement (Exercise)
- Rest & Relaxation
- Emotional Health
Each area relies on the other for complete health and wellness.
How you develop your emotional health will depend on your interpretation of this and also your beliefs and personal values.
What is Emotional Health?
Your emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing.
Being emotionally healthy means you are in control of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. You will be able to cope with life’s challenges. People who are emotionally healthy can keep problems in perspective and bounce back from setbacks.
I like to view caring for our emotional health like caring for our Spirit, our Soul. The part of us that makes us who we are.
Unfortunately, this can be a part of ourselves that we neglect, it can also be the missing piece you are looking for to make everything else in your life connect.
Mindset shifts to improve Emotional Health
As with taking care of the other areas of our health and wellbeing, we need to create habits and routines that support us in taking care of ourselves without additional stress.
Here are some ideas and strategies which you might like to implement into your lifestyle to support your emotional health.
Drop Perfection
Done is better than perfect!
If you are trying to eat healthier, add fitness into your life or take time to chill out just do it.
You don’t have to have an Insta worthy meal or eat ‘perfectly’ all day.
If you don’t make it to the gym (or online class) but you manage to squeeze in a walk or a yoga flow between meetings congratulate yourself!
So you didn’t manage to attend an online meditation BUT you spent ten quiet minutes enjoying a cup of tea… Done is better than perfect 🙂
Understand Your Emotions
Not everything is about you, sorry, harsh but true!
How other people react to you or a situation you are in can be about so many more things than we understand.
Developing our emotional health and resilience can give us the confidence and self esteem to realise this.
If you are triggered by a situation or someone, try and work out why, try:
- Journaling – write and rant. Get all your thoughts and feelings on paper, it may identify an issue you can deal with.
- Meditating or sitting quietly – to calm yourself and put a situation into perspective
- A walk in nature – again this can help you gain perspective and let off some steam.
Challenge your limiting beliefs
We often aren’t conscious of our limiting beliefs but these can affect our actions.
Limiting beliefs can hold us back from becoming the person and leading the life we dream of.
Whatever your reason/excuse there is always a limiting belief.
What are your limiting beliefs? Do you think you are too old, too fat, too unfit, too unlovable? Maybe you fear failure or even success…?
Write out each negative belief. What would you say to your best friend if they had these beliefs about themselves? Be kind to yourself and about yourself. Create a new, positive belief, recite daily as an affirmation.
Example:
“Every time I try to make a change I fail”.
This is happening because you are expecting one change to completely alter the course of your life. In reality, it is small changes, performed consistently, that change your life. You didn’t fail because one thing you tried didn’t work. It’s lack of consistency that’s the problem.
New belief: “I create good habits through consistent actions”
Welcome change
Life is constantly changing. Nothing remains the same.
When confronted with a change ask, “how can I benefit from this?” See the opportunity because even if you lose something, by default something will replace it.
I’m not suggesting for a moment that this is simple but by changing your mindset around change you can make it easier.
Focus on your values rather than your fears. Family, friendship, health, freedom etc
In the face of change our emotional brain takes over. Try to analyse what is fact. Deal with the facts you are presented with. Feelings are based on your perception.
In conclusion
Developing our emotional health is a process rather than a goal. The benefits are:
- Resilience to stress
- Better relationships
- Increased self-esteem
- A more energised and positive outlook
If you feel like your thoughts and emotions are getting the better of you try implementing the strategies above and make sure you are taking care of yourself such as getting enough quality sleep and asking for support from those around you. Seek additional help from a mental health specialist if you feel you need further support.
For more tips read this post: Top 5 Emotional Wellbeing Tips.
To arrange a free 30-minute no-obligation consultation to discuss how I can support you on your health and wellness journey follow the link.
In the meantime, have a great week and enjoy the warm magical week of February!
With love
Sue x