It’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Most Americans visit their doctor every year to have a physical health check-up, but it’s also important to evaluate your mental health on a regular basis. An emotional health check-up is an important life tool in which you analyze your mental health. Don’t wait until you sink into a state of depression or anxiety that begins to disable you and fracture your life.
Frequent overall health check-ups are important for your quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average American makes four doctor visits every year. So, it’s important to consider conducting frequent emotional health check-ups throughout the year as well. Listed below are great tips to help you conduct your check-up.
Do Your Emotional Health Check-Up
Start on the Right Foot
Begin your check-up by reflecting on your daily schedule. What is on your daily schedule? Are you enjoying doing the to do’s on your daily schedule? How is your mood, and emotional and spiritual health? Write down your findings and use it as motivation for accomplishing your goals in life. You may need to make some changes to improve your mental health.
Evaluate Your Relationships
Sit down and reflect on how arguments, challenges, or other aspects of your relationships have impacted your emotional health. To strengthen your relationships, consider conducting a relationship checkup with your friends, relatives, and partner. Also, reflect on key moments in your relationships, both good and bad. If any of your relationships are toxic, try to find possible solutions.
Consider Your Finances
Financial worries and fears can weigh heavily on your mind, affecting your emotional health. Financial stress is the top stressor worldwide. So, for your mental health, review your saving and spending habits in order to make better-informed decisions in the future. Also, review your investments, retirement plans, credit score, and debt status. The more you know and understand the less you’ll worry about your finances. There are great financial courses you can find on youtube or on the web. Learn about money and you will feel more empowered and less stress.
Assess Your Career
Work stress can wreck your emotional health. So, it’s important to reflect on the good and challenging aspects of your job. Start by reviewing positive things like the goals you’ve accomplished or the bonds you’ve formed with coworkers. Also, reflect on the things that have caused you stress like long commutes, office politics, or unreasonable bosses. Come up with plans to reduce your work stress or start finding a new job.
Monitor Your Physical Health
A physical check-up is important for emotional health. Consider getting plenty of sleep and exercise. It’s also important to have a balanced diet and to avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine. By staying physically healthy you can prevent insomnia and feelings of helplessness, which can impact your mental health.
Evaluate Your Self-confidence
A high self-esteem is important for everyone’s mental health. When you’re confident you don’t have to worry so much. Try to avoid having negative thoughts as it can weigh on your mind and lead to stress, anxiety, and poor mental health. You can visit the Mindful Living Network to find inspiration, health facts, and great information on SELF Care and stress reduction.