You may have heard the terms mental health and emotional health used often and interchangeably. But what do they mean, and is there a difference between mental and emotional health? What steps can you take to improve your mental and emotional health? Let’s review what constitutes mental and emotional health and discuss ways to boost both and live a more balanced lifestyle.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to our cognitive and psychological well-being. It encompasses how we think, feel, and behave daily. Mental health influences our ability to cope with stress, maintain relationships, and make decisions. It involves various aspects such as cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, behavioral patterns, and psychological functioning.

Cognitive functioning involves thinking clearly, concentrating, and solving problems. Healthy cognitive functioning allows us to engage in positive behaviors and maintain fulfilling relationships. 

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and regulate our emotions and involves how we recognize, understand, and respond to our feelings. Our behaviors, habits, and actions can also indicate our mental health. 

Psychological well-being encompasses overall happiness, contentment, and satisfaction with life, such as having a positive self-image and outlook. 

In other words, mental health is an umbrella term to refer to how we think, feel, and act based on our thoughts and feelings.

What is Emotional Health?

Emotional health refers to a crucial aspect of overall well-being. It involves the ability to recognize, express, and manage a range of emotions, which is essential for psychological balance and resilience. 

Emotional health is an essential component of mental health; it pertains to how we experience and express our feelings and how effectively we can cope with any negative feelings that may come with the ups and downs of life. It also involves being aware of our emotions, both positive and negative. Other critical aspects of emotional health include:

  • Self-Awareness: Being in tune with your emotions and understanding what triggers certain feelings.
  • Emotional Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and cope with stress in healthy ways.

In short, mental health and emotional health are not the same thing. Think of mental health as something that helps us process information, while emotional health is our ability to manage and express feelings based on the information we just processed. 

Just as there are overlaps between physical health and mental health, there are overlaps between mental health and emotional health; our mental health can affect our emotional health and vice versa. For that reason, it is vital to take steps to maintain good mental and emotional health so you can be better prepared to handle the many challenges and stressful situations that life may bring.

The Connection Between Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and emotional health are intricately connected – understanding this relationship is crucial for overall well-being. Mental health refers to our overall psychological well-being, encompassing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Emotional health, on the other hand, refers to our ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions. When our mental health is compromised, it can significantly impact our emotional well-being and vice versa.

For instance, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and heightened anxiety, affecting our emotional health (and even our physical health). Conversely, poor emotional health, such as chronic stress or unresolved emotional trauma, can contribute to mental health problems, including emotional dysregulation and mood disorders. Therefore, addressing both mental and emotional health is essential for a balanced and healthy life.

Key Differences Between Emotional and Mental Health

While mental and emotional health are interconnected, the two have key differences. Mental health deals with our thoughts, behaviors, and cognitive functions. It encompasses how we process information, make decisions, and interact with the world around us. Mental health issues, such as mental illness, can be diagnosed and treated by a mental health professional.

On the other hand, emotional health focuses on our feelings and emotions and how we regulate them. It involves being aware of your emotions, understanding your triggers, and managing them effectively. Emotional health issues, such as emotional distress, may require different approaches, such as developing healthy coping mechanisms or seeking support from loved ones.

Mental health problems can often be more visible, manifesting as changes in behavior or mood. In contrast, emotional health issues may be more subtle, presenting as feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emotional numbness. Understanding these differences is essential for developing effective treatment plans and promoting overall well-being.

Factors Affecting Mental and Emotional Health

Several factors can impact both mental and emotional health, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and social relationships. Genetics can play a significant role in the development of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Environmental factors, such as trauma, stress, current events, and adverse childhood experiences, can profoundly affect emotional health.

Lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, and sleep, are also crucial for mental and emotional well-being. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep can enhance our mood and cognitive function, while poor lifestyle choices can exacerbate mental health problems.

Social relationships are another critical contributor (or detractor) to mental and emotional health. Supportive relationships with family and friends can promote emotional health and provide a buffer against stress. Conversely, social isolation and lack of support can increase the risk of mental health issues.

Physical health is closely linked to mental and emotional health. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. By understanding these factors, individuals can take proactive steps to promote their mental and emotional health and reduce the risk of mental health problems.

What Does Good Mental Health Look Like?

Good mental health is not the same thing as simply not having a diagnosable mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may still have poor mental health and struggle even if you don’t necessarily have a mental health condition. The opposite is also true – many people who have a diagnosed mental health condition are still able to feel generally healthy and fulfilled across the different aspects of wellness.

Some experts suggest that good mental health relies on your capacity to prioritize your own well-being while valuing and engaging in life. In other words, caring for yourself and connecting with others while staying aware of your feelings without letting those feelings overwhelm you. This can look different for each person, and the difficulty depends strongly on your relationship with the different dimensions of wellness.

The effects of having poor mental health became very apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, as many people became socially isolated and struggled with drastic changes to their lifestyles. The CDC reports that mental-health-related emergency department visits for children 5-11 increased by 24% in April 2020 in comparison to the same period in 2019. The percentage of mental health emergency visits also climbed 31% for children ages 12-17.

Lack of in-person social interaction, lack of physical activity, changes in dietary habits, and disrupted sleep patterns were all too common during the pandemic, in addition to increased screen time and reliance on the internet for social connections and interaction. All of these components contributed to a worldwide mental health crisis.

The pandemic-related mental health crisis led to a series of studies that suggest the link between having a healthy lifestyle and having good mental health. More specifically, being aware of our physical health and taking steps to eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and engage in regular physical activity can all benefit our mental health. Physical activity and a reduction in screen time are significant for children and teenagers, as uncovered by a recent study that showed children who engage in more physical activity and less screen time are likely to have better mental health outcomes.

How Can I Support My Emotional Well-Being?

Emotional wellness is a key component of overall well-being, particularly in coping with life’s challenges and fostering resilience. Maintaining emotional well-being is essential to having good mental health and leading a fulfilling and balanced life. Practicing self-care, cultivating healthy relationships, developing healthy coping strategies, and managing stress are just a few ways to manage your emotional health. 

Here are a few additional tips to help you support your emotional well-being:

  • Engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
  • Learn to identify and acknowledge your emotions without judgment, allowing yourself to experience them fully.
  • Develop healthy ways to regulate your emotions, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization techniques.
  • Build self-awareness by exploring the underlying causes of your emotions and recognizing patterns of behavior or thought that may contribute to emotional distress.
  • Prioritize adequate sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise as fundamental components of emotional well-being.
  • Set boundaries to protect your time and energy, and learn to say no to commitments that may overwhelm you.
  • Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who uplift you and validate your emotions.
  • Learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and adversity, such as mindfulness practices, journaling, or engaging in hobbies.
  • Build resilience by reframing negative thoughts and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
  • Cultivate a sense of purpose by engaging in activities that bring you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment.
  • Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps, celebrating your progress along the way.
  • Seek therapy or counseling if you’re struggling to cope with overwhelming emotions or experiencing mental health issues. 

Implementing just a few of these tips can dramatically impact your mental and emotional health and improve your quality of life. However, it is okay to feel overwhelmed and acknowledge that you may need help making these changes.

Seeking help from a professional may make all the difference. Everyone has mental health, and getting support from a licensed therapist can help you develop a targeted plan for mental wellness.

Seeing a therapist and participating in individual or group therapy sessions may be highly beneficial to help you develop emotional awareness, identify stressors and triggers, and develop healthy coping strategies. At APN, you can participate in therapy sessions in person and online and get a customized treatment plan to fit your needs.

What Can I Do If Therapy Isn’t Working for My Mental Health?

While therapy is the recommended first step in your journey to improve your mental health, it is not the only way to achieve improvement. For many people, especially those with a diagnosed mental health condition, simply going to therapy is not enough to improve their situation. If therapy alone hasn’t worked for you in the past, don’t panic. – many other alternative methods can work together with therapy and medication (when applicable) to boost your mental and emotional health.

At All Points North, we go a step further and offer every patient a comprehensive care approach that can include cutting-edge therapies, such as deep TMS, ketamine-assisted therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

If you need support to improve your mental health or have already tried therapy without getting the results you hoped for, contact APN to talk with one of our skilled mental health professionals and learn more about how our integrated treatment approach can help you. Call us at 866.271.6006 or fill out the online contact form to get started.

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