We all know it’s important to take care of our physical health. But sometimes we forget that our emotional health needs just as much attention.

When you’re emotionally healthy, you feel good about yourself. You have good relationships. You’re aware of your emotions and know how to deal with them. You can cope with stress, anger and sadness. And you’re not afraid to get help from a medical professional when you need it.

Here are five tips for improving your emotional health:

1. Accentuate the positive. Try to keep negative emotions and thoughts to a minimum. Focus on what’s good in your life—and what’s good about you. Forgive yourself for your mistakes, and remember the good things you’ve done.
2. Lower your stress levels. Chronic stress is unhealthy for your mental and physical health. To help you manage your stress levels, try to:

• Get sufficient sleep—seven to nine hours a night for most adults.
• Get regular exercise. Aim for 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week.
• Set priorities. Aim to find a healthy balance between work and play—and between activity and rest.
• Try relaxation methods, like yoga or deep breathing exercises.

3. Get good sleep. Getting sufficient amounts of quality sleep is vital for your mental health. When you don’t get enough sleep, it affects your mood, energy, concentration and ability to cope with stress.
4. Be mindful. This means being aware of what’s going on around you and accepting it without judgment. When you’re mindful, you live your life in the present. Being mindful takes practice. To get started:

• Inhale through your nose to a count of four, hold your breath for one second, then exhale through your mouth to a count of five. Repeat frequently.
• Go outside for a walk and take notice of all that’s around you.
• Read books or listen to podcasts on mindfulness.

5. Strengthen your social connections. Our connections with others may help us live longer and healthier lives. Make time to visit with friends and family, even if those visits are virtual.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; HelpGuide; National Institutes of Health

© Coffey Communications, Inc.