10 HABITS THAT BOOST YOUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

At times, we can often forget to give our mental health the attention it deserves.

Some of our actions may be too mentally draining, such as holding onto toxic relationship or pushing ourselves too hard with school or work.

It can be a good idea to step back and take a look at our behaviors and habits and ask ourselves the question: do I possess healthy habits? Or negative ones?

I'm sure we all have negative habits, but now it's time to start incorporating some mentally beneficial behaviors into our routines in hopes we can develop a new habit – a good one this time.

Here are 10 healthy habits that boost your emotional well-being

One: perfecting your posture

Did you know that having an upright posture is not only seen as generally more attractive but has emotionally positive effects as well?

According to a study in journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, upright posture can have a positive effect and reduce fatigue.

Are you slouching while you're watching this video?

It's time to sit up straight now!

The Preliminary study's conclusions suggested that "adopting an upright posture may increase positive affect, reduce fatigue, and decrease self-focus in people with mild-to-moderate depression."

Two: learn to acknowledge what you're feeling

While it may seem convenient at the time to go ahead and ignore that sadness and anger inside you, - I mean according to you, you have work to do! – in the long run, suppressing your emotions, does not mean they go away.

Instead, they build up.

You should instead express emotions such as sadness, anger, or anxiety to someone you trust.

Just imagine what could happen if you don't allow yourself to release an emotion like anger, and instead let it build up?

Take anger for example, "anger has been linked to obesity, low self-esteem, migraines, drug and alcohol addiction, depression, sexual performance problems, increased heart attack risk, lower-quality relationships, higher probability of abusing others emotionally or physically or both... higher blood pressure and stroke," says anger management coach Dr. Schinnerer.

That sounds like one of those over-the-top ads on TV.

No thank you cherry ad!

It's time to express yourself... in a healthy way, of course!

Anger can lead to insomnia, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and mental or brain fog to name a few

This is just anger.

There are physical and mental problems that can arise from any suppression of emotion it seems.

Because when these emotions build up, they will eventually rise to the surface, and likely explode out of you like volcano!

So, what are we supposed to do about all these feelings?

Well, anger coach Schinnerer suggests one way to break this cycle and that begins with mindfulness: "one way to do this," he says, is by becoming more aware of when you're angry in the present moment, then looking at the emotion in a nonjudgmental and curious way.

So instead of beating yourself up, acknowledge how you're feeling and think about ways to cope.

So, take a break if you are feeling anger in a toxic situation, and leave the room.

Pretend your favorite pizza dish has just arrived, and you need to pause your game.

That is, the treacherous game of anger.

Level 5: Volcano Eruptions of Fury

Hey, I am giving you visuals here.

Remember, this is just anger.

But you can do this with all your emotions.

We can't always control what we feel, but we can control what actions we take once they are triggered.

Feel your emotion at the moment, acknowledge them, express them in a calm way.

Then let the emotions flow out of you.

Like an ocean breeze, in a midsummer air

Visuals help release your emotions in a healthy and cathartic way.

Three: get enough sleep

It's time you got your daily Z's or should I say nightly Z's.

It's time you got your nightly Z's – my fellow Psych2Goer.

I know you've been slacking.

What time are you watching this video? 10:00 am? 2:00 am – don't say 3:00 am.

It's 3:00 am, isn't it?

The truth of it all is sleep is vital to your mental health and emotional well-being.

Sleep help repair and renew all the cells in our bodies.

Every time we lay down on that pillow and go to our blissful dreams – uh, discluding nightmares.

We wash away any toxics that can build up throughout our day. With enough sleep, we can have quicker reflexes, mental clarity, and simply feel better.

So if you are watching this way past your bedtime, it's time to sleep after this video.

Four: exercise regularly

Life can get hectic and busy. But that doesn't mean we should neglect out health.

The benefit of exercise can start to present themselves if we fit in enough regular exercise each month.

Our bodies release specific endorphins that relieve stress and boost our mood when we exercise.

So it can be a valuable tool when you're feeling anxious or depressed. I know, it can feel difficult to even get out of bed when you're feeling sad or anxious about our day.

But, if you can find the will to push yourself – even literally just out of bed – that's a great step forward feeling better!

Next is pushing yourself on a workout bike of your downstairs.

Five: make socialization part of your routine.

When we are distracted or busy we can forget to socialize with the ones we love.

Whether we have friends or not, it's best to get out there and practice a bit of socialization.

According to the National institutes of Health, "social connections might help protect health and lengthen life.

Scientists are finding that our links to others can have powerful effects on our health – both emotionally and physically so may be volunteer at an organization you're passionate about, call up your mum or long lost friend join a community with individuals like you.

You can even leave a comment below and socialize with fellow Psych2Goers. We are here to listen.

Whatever you do, it's best to open up and express how you feel to someone. Psych2Goers included.

Six: think before you act.

Oh boy, how many of us have jumped up and blurted out the first thing we think of excitement?

Like that time my friend was telling me about the loss of her Goldfish – Crackers and I blurted out.

Crackers? The cheesy ones?

Just me? Yea...she didn't have any crackers.

I mean not the snack at least. Must not get them confused again.

The thing is we can act before we think when we first need to calm down our emotions before taking action.

Sometimes before even processing a request or comment, we fill in the blank with what we think someone else means.

In my case, I thought she said: "we got some goldfish crackers" but what she really said was: the funeral preparations for my goldfish, Crackers, has already begin."

Sigh, I get too many night munchies.

But often people can interpret something said with normalcy as something cruel intended due to our own negative feelings. So it's best to think and process what's really being said before you act.

Seven: be present in the moment.

This behavior isn't always the easiest to turn habitual. We can often ruminate on our worries throughout the day.

These worries can create anxiety and pile up.

Instead, try focusing on one task at a time.

If you find yourself struggling, try noticing the physical sensations around you, what you are smelling, tasting, hearing. This will help ground you back to reality and calm you down.

Eight: take a break and practice self-care

Congratulation!

Watching this video is a part of practicing some self-care and relaxation.

Ah, the calmness of learning habits to boost your emotional well-being. Are you feeling it now?

It's important to take a break when life gets too busy or challenging and do something we love.

If that's simply watching a few youtube videos in quiet solitude, go right ahead!

If it's taking a relaxing, warm bubble bath?

Get the water running because it's time for some you-time!

If you still feel your days are so busy, you can simply try taking a moment to do some deep breathing and lower your heart rate. Deep breath in... deep breath out

Nine: don't make social media a habit.

As much as you like mindlessly scrolling and pressing the heart button on your friend's social media posts, posting photos of your food, - stop it! You're making me hungry – and posting relatable memes-all-day.

Well that one is pretty fun. But as much as you like spending your undue time on social media, it isn't always great for your mental health.

I mean, think about it. You often hunched over and cramped, staring at a little tiny screen.

Straight posture, everyone! Straight posture!

Not only that, but people often find themselves comparing themselves to photoshopped influencers with unrealistic life

Plus, too much of one thing can tend to be bad, and unproductive in this case, so it's best to not make social media a habit, use it sparingly to post and browse memes every now and then.

I suppose with the memes, a good laugh never hurt anybody,

Old habits die hard

Ten: eat healthy

I know, I can't help it either sometimes.

Sometimes I simply want to snack on... well... don't mention crackers... it's best to move on... but, a healthy diet not only helps your brain but your body as well.

So, take it easy on the snack food for now. And instead, recognize those delicious leafy greens and bright colored fruits will only add to your good mood.

You can start by trying to include foods rich in Omega 3 – polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Research has shown that these nutrients restore structural integrity to the brain cells necessary for cognitive function.

And? it can boost your mood

These nutrients are commonly found in nuts, flaxseed, and fish.

Did someone say fish? Do you mean goldfish?

Speaking of fish... I'll be right back

Thank you for watching and learning more about mental health and psychology.

Which habits will you enact?

And which bad habits are you guilty of?

Let us know in the comments.

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