MCC Daily Tribune
Emotional Wellness Month
Did you know your emotional well-being has powerful effects on your overall health? Mental and emotional stress can translate into negative physical reactions, a weakened immune system, and poor health.
“Emotional wellness” refers to our ability to process feelings in a healthy, positive way and manage the stress of everyday life. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed, try a soothing activity like meditation or yoga to slow down and clear your mind.
Use Emotional Wellness Month as an opportunity to take charge of your emotional wellness, find the soothing activities that work for you, and, most of all, breathe!
HOW TO CELEBRATE EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MONTH
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Indulge yourself with a massage
Treat yourself to a day of relaxation, whatever that means for you. Turn off your phone, don’t check your emails, and get a massage, schedule a spa day, or go to the beach.
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Check in with a friend
Research shows that connecting with loved ones is beneficial to our health. During Emotional Wellness Month, schedule some quality time with friends. You’ll both benefit from some extra emotional support and love.
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Learn a new coping skill
Do you have some go-to coping skills for when you feel overwhelmed or anxious? Take some time to develop a list of simple activities like breathing exercises, yoga, and drawing that help you calm down and self-soothe in difficult emotional times.
5 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
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Emotions start in the brain
Our feelings are controlled by the release of certain chemicals and electrochemical signals that flow through our bodies in response to outside stimuli.
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Emotions help us survive
Feelings like panic, fear, or joy helped early humans understand external threats and rewards, and still guide the way we react to outside actions.
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We feel in our entire bodies
Emotions manifest themselves in our bodies through physical reactions like increased or decreased heart rate, sweat, temperature change, or numbness.
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Emotions are contagious
Studies show that humans unconsciously mimic the expressions of others around them – a smile really can be infectious!
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Negative feelings are important
Though unpleasant, experiencing and processing bad feelings is an important part of maintaining balance and strong mental health.
WHY EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT
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We’re reminded to slow down
We often forget to pause our busy lives to reset and reflect. Emotional Wellness Month reminds us to prioritize our mental health and personal well-being.
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It reminds us to check in with our emotions
It’s easy to suppress our feelings when there’s so much else going on in our lives. With distractions coming at us from every direction, it’s important to consciously quiet the noise and check in with ourselves.
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It gives us an opportunity to connect with loved ones
Reach out to a relative or friend who you haven’t heard from in a while. You never know when people might need your support without knowing how to ask for it.
Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
10/24/2022