What is Emotional Wellness?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines emotional wellness as “the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” Emotional wellness doesn’t mean a person is always happy. Instead, they have the ability to recognize negative emotions, accept them and cope in healthy ways; they don’t act impulsively in response to emotions.
If you are experiencing emotional distress for long periods of time, your body is in harms way. Chronic stress can:
- Cause inflammation in your body
- Weaken your immune system
- Increase risk for heart disease, ulcers, diabetes and even cancer
- Cause weight gain
- Impair memory and concentration
Read our blog for 6 ways to achieve emotional wellness in your life. It's packed with tons of helpful resources to help you stay well.
You can also take a free online screening from Mental Health America or you can download screening forms from our website that you can print and go over with your healthcare provider. Please keep in mind, self-assessments and online screenings do not replace an evaluation by a mental health professional.
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