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  • Author : Explorer7
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  • Topic : Recovery Club
22 Jul 2024 12:36 PM
Senior Contributor

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From posts to this forum during Aug to Sep 2021, I've collected and attempted to distil the suggestions as to what works to maintain or improve emotional wellbeing, and added a few of my own.

Emotional wellbeing involves the ability to express feelings, enjoy life, and adjust to emotional challenges. It encompasses recognizing and accepting emotions, understanding their impact, and effectively managing stress and traumatic experiences. Emotional wellbeing also includes self-acceptance, living fully through life's ups and downs, and maintaining resilience by finding the good in each day. It is about experiencing a range of emotions while knowing you are not defined by them, and seeking help when needed.

Emotional awareness and expression

  1. Be aware of your emotions and reactions: "Notice what makes you sad, frustrated, or angry, and try to address or change those things."
  2. Express feelings appropriately: "Let people close to you know when something is bothering you. Keeping feelings inside can add to stress and cause problems in relationships and work."

Stress management and relaxation

  1. Manage stress: "Try to change stressful situations and learn relaxation methods such as deep breathing, meditation, and exercise."
  2. Practice self-care: "Write in a journal, listen to music, talk to friends or family, practice yoga, breathing, or meditation to remain calm."
  3. Find comfort: "Find a place where you feel comfortable and go there when you need comfort, quiet, or safety."
  4. Join support groups: "Engage in support groups or start one to share your experiences and gain support."

Maintaining balance and positivity

  1. Strive for balance: "Find a healthy balance between work and play, and between activity and rest."
  2. Make time for enjoyable activities: "Focus on positive aspects of your life and engage in activities you enjoy."
  3. Stay positive: "Focus on the good things in your life, forgive yourself and others, and spend time with positive people."
  4. Find the positives: "Look for silver linings in negative situations and support others in doing the same."
  5. Practice gratitude: "Take time each day to reflect on what you are grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal can help shift your focus to positive aspects of your life."
  6. Engage in acts of kindness: "Helping others can improve your own emotional wellbeing. Volunteer your time, perform random acts of kindness, or simply offer support to those in need."
  7. Cultivate hobbies: "Engage in hobbies and activities that bring you joy and allow you to express yourself creatively."
  8. Practice self-compassion: "Be kind to yourself, especially during times of failure or difficulty. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer to a friend."

Physical health and self-care

  1. Take care of physical health: "Exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and avoid abusing drugs or alcohol."
  2. Engage in physical activity: "Join a sports league or gym, or find other physical outlets."
  3. Maintain a routine: "Stick to a daily routine and leave yourself enough time for obligations."
  4. Eat mindfully: "Have meals without distractions like phones or TV."
  5. Limit caffeine and sugar intake: "High levels of caffeine and sugar can affect your mood and energy levels. Opt for a balanced diet to maintain stable energy and emotions."
  6. Stay hydrated: "Proper hydration is essential for overall health, including emotional wellbeing. Drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated."
  7. Develop a bedtime routine: "Establish a calming routine before bed to improve sleep quality. Avoid screens, engage in relaxing activities, and create a comfortable sleep environment."

Cognitive and emotional reflection

  1. Reflect on your emotions: "Reflect daily on your emotions and what they can teach you. Use a journal to record feelings and thoughts."
  2. Develop healthy habits: "Establish regular routines that help you process and deal with your emotions effectively."
  3. Practice mindfulness: "Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Being present in the moment can reduce anxiety and improve your emotional state."
  4. Build emotional intelligence: "Work on understanding your own emotions as well as those of others. Developing empathy and emotional intelligence can improve relationships and emotional health."

Connection and purpose

  1. Connect with others: "Build positive connections by making social plans, joining groups, and engaging with others."
  2. Find purpose and meaning: "Focus on what is important to you, such as work, family, volunteering, or caregiving."
  3. Seek professional help: "If you find it difficult to manage your emotions on your own, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. Professional guidance can provide valuable tools and support."

Coping strategies and problem-solving

  1. Practice coping strategies: "Develop coping exercises for stress to be prepared when challenges arise."
  2. Develop problem-solving skills: "Improve your ability to handle challenges by working on problem-solving techniques. Break down problems into manageable steps and tackle them one at a time."
  3. Set realistic goals: "Establish achievable short-term and long-term goals to give yourself a sense of purpose and direction. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way."

Positivity and environment

  1. Limit exposure to negativity: "Reduce time spent on activities that bring negativity into your life, such as excessive news consumption or toxic social media interactions."
  2. Create a positive environment: "Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it's people, music, books, or art. A positive environment can uplift your mood and mindset."

Fun and laughter

  1. Laugh often: "Engage in activities that make you laugh, such as watching a comedy show or spending time with funny friends. Laughter can reduce stress and improve your mood."
  2. Take time for yourself: "Regularly take time alone to recharge."

Learn and grow

  1. Learn more to lessen fear: "Increase your knowledge about issues or health conditions you're facing to reduce fear of the unknown."
  2. Think before you act: "Give yourself time to think and be calm before reacting to emotions."

Nature and outdoor activities

  1. Explore nature: "Spend time outdoors and connect with nature. Activities like hiking, gardening, or simply walking in a park can have a calming effect."

Next will be social wellbeing, followed by spirtual wellbeing, and then behavioural wellbeing.

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