TIPS FOR BETTER EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Practicing mindfulness

• Being aware of what's happening in the present on the inside and around you 
  

Developing and strengthening social connections

• Can help protect health and lengthen life

Managing stress

• Time management, physical exercise, acceptance of things that are out of our control, balanced diet, sleep hygiene, deep breathing/meditation
  
• Sleep helps you think more clearly, have quicker reflexes and focus better, affecting both mental and physical health
  

Appropriately expressing your emotions

• practicing putting words to your emotions to release them

OTHER TIPS

• Take your time: Develop your understanding of your emotions and your experience with them at your own pace.

• Learn from your mistakes: When trying to break unhealthy habits and patterns with reactions/responses, learn from them and reflect on what you can do differently.

• Promote kindness and practice forgiveness: Developing compassion when interacting with others allows them to do the same. Forgiveness can give space for stuck emotions to move.

• Give your room a makeover: your room should be a safe space for you to unwind

• Hydrate: dehydration affects the way your brain thinks. Mild dehydration can even affect your mood.

• Watch the sunset: being in the presence of something beautiful can make you feel more connected to your emotions. Those emotions also motivate you to be generous to others.

• Write, doodle, or journal to plan ahead: the more we are surrounded by clutter, the more it slows us down mentally and physically.

• Revisit your favourite childhood memories: nostalgia can combat anxiety, loneliness, and boredom. Homesickness can help us regain strength to move forward.

• Own up to something you've done in the past: apologizing has powerful emotional benefits for the receiver and giver, such as helping to heal, move on from the past, and building empathy.

• Help those who are less fortunate: doing good deeds reduces stress levels and blood pressure which increases lifespan.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF