5 Ways to Nurture Emotional Wellness Today
We live in fast and exciting times!
With so much technology surrounding us, it is easy to get lost in the matrix of media messaging. While it’s become the norm to be plugged into communication at all times, instant access to technology paired with the demands of our personal lives can leave us feeling frazzled and frustrated. We are connected to everything from world news to pop culture and politics. We receive mixed messages from doctors and influencers to family and friends about topics such as health, fitness, finance and quality of life. Oftentimes, we feel like we can’t keep up or worse — that we don’t measure up.
Although social and performance pressures feel as if they’re being tossed around like confetti, there are things we can do to protect ourselves from becoming overstimulated or bogged down by the weight of it all. The question now is: how do we maintain our sanity?
Here are five ways to preserve and protect your emotional wellness:
1. Disconnect sometimes
It’s okay to unplug and schedule some time for yourself. Foster authentic relationships by putting your phone away while spending time with family or friends and appreciate the uninterrupted quality time. Maybe pick a few days a week where you operate the old-school way and only use technology when needed. Feel free to turn things off and take a breath when needed.
2. Take care of yourself
Not only is your health your wealth, but it is also lucrative to a functioning body and mind. Take a moment to reconnect with yourself in peace by practicing deep breathing, yoga, or doing something gentle and meditative for yourself (i.e. take a spa day, get outdoors, listen to music, paint, etc.). Commit to getting proper rest, eating a nutritious diet and exercising to keep your body strong, energized and refreshed.
3. Roll with it
The saying “The tree that bends doesn’t break” comes to mind here. Resiliency, a result of managing emotional wellness, comes from learning to weather the storms of life. A storm could be anything that is rocking your boat. If you can change it, do it. However, if something is beyond your control, go with the flow and fix your energy on identifying or developing a positive perspective. When we focus on the good, it gives us less time to worry about the bad.
4. Laugh a little
There’s a chance that laughter really is the best medicine! If not, it still manages to be a solid source of stress relief and can even manage to keep pain and depression at bay. If you have to be connected, look for fun articles, memes and images to forward to others so that they may share in your joy.
5. Release lofty expectations
There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big but sometimes, our thoughts can carry us to the land of anxiety. It’s best to have realistic expectations and goals for yourself. Remember that you are human and, while you’re working on success in targeted areas, it’s all a process. If you spend too much time thinking about the future, the possibilities can become overwhelming or paralyzing. Setting measurable goals and working in increments can help you reach goals in buildable steps.
To read more about how Girls on the Run teaches girls these valuable life lessons and more, click here. To register your girl for our upcoming program season, connect with your local council today!
5 Ways to Nurture Emotional Wellness Today