Let’s take a moment to reflect on something simple: imagine a plant that isn’t thriving. What would you do? You’d probably check its water, adjust its exposure to sunlight, maybe even change the soil. Each of these factors determines the plant’s health and what the plant needs in order to survive.
Now, if we are so meticulous with plants, why do we often overlook the different factors that affect our emotional health? Instead of assuming we are broken or blaming it on a chemical imbalance, let’s focus on nurturing the underlying determinants that keep our human organism emotionally healthy. These are the five pillars of emotional health – Psychology, Relationships, Nutrition, Sleep, and Exercise.
What is Emotional Health?
Emotional health incorporates emotional intelligence and emotional resilience. Let’s unpack those two concepts.
- Emotional intelligence is the awareness of one’s emotional state and those of others, especially in response to external stimuli. Have you ever been around someone who, especially in the face of immediate adversity, simply knows how to carry themselves and how to interact with others? This is an example of emotional intelligence and it is an extremely important aspect of leadership at all levels.
- The other part of emotional health is emotional resilience. This is one’s ability to adjust to circumstances and recover from emotional setbacks. How well do you respond to bad news? Do setbacks and acute stress send you down a dark road? How quickly can you return to your fully functioning state of mind?
Just like health is not merely the absence of illness, emotional health is NOT the act of suppressing emotion.
How do you create unshakeable emotional health?
The Pillars: 5 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Health
- Your psychology. By this, I mean the study of your own mind. This is the lens through which you see the world. This includes your thought patterns, beliefs, self-talk, and history of trauma. Personal development and stepping out of your comfort zone to address these aspects are crucial.
- Your relationships. If you’ve studied personal development at all, you know we are the average of the five people and ideas we spend the most time with. Improving your emotional health means fostering positive relationships and addressing issues with those around you. Surround yourself with growth-oriented individuals.
- Your nutrition. What does nutrition have to do with emotional health? A lot! Healthy brain and nerve function rely on proper nutrition, especially from a gut that produces 90% of your body’s neurotransmitters. Eat a diet high in whole plant foods and soluble fiber to support a thriving gut microbiome.
- Your sleep. Let’s be honest, we high achievers like to sacrifice sleep to get more done, don’t we? But quality sleep is essential. While it may be tempting to sacrifice sleep for productivity, insufficient rest can severely affect your emotional resilience. Adequate rest is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s during sleep that our brains create long-term memories, heal, and recharge.
- Your exercise. Motion drives emotion. How great do you feel after a workout? Endorphins run high, your blood is flowing, and your body and mind finally feel in sync. Regular physical activity boosts mood and reduces stress. Emotional health requires physical health.
There is Always Hope
Whatever challenge you’re facing, you’re not broken. There is always hope. Your emotional health is about living the ideal version of yourself. And you will when you apply the five pillars of emotional health: Your psychology, your relationships, your nutrition, your sleep, and your exercise. Which of these five do you need to work on? Let me know in the comments.
The 5 Pillars Free Book Chapter
If you’re interested in a deeper exploration of these pillars, I invite you to download the first chapter of my upcoming book for free. This exclusive preview offers an exciting glimpse into my yet-to-be-released work, providing valuable insights into building a foundation of emotional well-being.