October 2021 is Emotional Wellness Month

October is Emotional Wellness Month, and as we are still coping with the lingering effects of the Pandemic and a newfound focus on the impact of social media on our overall positive mental health, the Key Assets Kentucky team decided to dig into this issue a little more in the latest blog.

Emotional wellness refers to our ability to process feelings in a healthy, positive way and manage the stress of everyday life. Ideally, when we are emotionally healthy, we balance healthy choices; have good relationships with friends, colleagues, family members, and significant others; and achieve goals we’ve set for ourselves.

Sometimes emotional wellness can be hard to achieve or maintain. Long-term stressors, such as Pandemic fatigue, job change, moving, divorce, or loss of a loved one, can test our bodies’ ability to manage stress effectively. Fatigue, loss of motivation, lapses in concentration, and difficulty completing tasks can all result from stress. This can affect your mood, your work, and even your emotional connections to friends and family. 

In addition, excessive usage of social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik-Tok, and Snap Chat can positively and negatively contribute to our emotional wellness. On the one hand, there is joy, laughter, and connectivity in observing our family and friends and their daily activities. Community building, community support, and creativity are positive results of social media, and certain social channels have even helped provide common connections between people who feel marginalized. However, there are some negative consequences of social media, including cyberbullying, body shaming, comparison culture, and the reduction of face-to-face contact, which can be much more rewarding long term.

If stress and social media are affecting your emotional wellness, you can take steps to feel better.  

• Join a club or group with a shared interest. One great way to stay connected with others is by pursuing a hobby. It could be a book club, a collectors’ group, or a community choir. The important thing is that the activities of the group interest you. Group activities are invaluable to creating a sense of community, increasing engagement, and boosting self-esteem.
• Enjoy the company of a pet. Social interaction isn’t just for people. Our pets need love too, and caring interactions with our pets can help us stay active and emotionally engaged with life. Don’t have a pet? Consider fostering an animal in need. Fostering can be among the most rewarding experiences for both owner and pet.
• Adopt a relaxation routine. Long-term stress requires long-term solutions. And while a brisk jog may be great for your body, it may take a little more effort to clear your mind of stressful thoughts. Set aside time for quiet relaxation such as meditation or yoga. Even a simple morning stretch routine can help center the mind and body for the day ahead.
• Seek professional help. Even emotionally strong people can find themselves struggling during periods of unusual or prolonged stress. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, reach out for professional guidance.

 At Key Assets Kentucky, our compassionate, professional, and experienced team is ready and eager to help. Are you feeling depressed, disconnected, or hopeless? Don’t delay; contact us at Key Assets Kentucky now. We’re here during Emotional Wellness Month and every month to help!