Being healthy is not just about whether your body is strong, and your muscles are fit. Mental and emotional health are also important. And, in the same way you can identify habits and traits that make someone physically healthy, there are characteristics that tell you someone is emotionally healthy, as well. What does an emotionally healthy person do? What are their traits? Here are a few.
They are Self-Aware
Self-awareness is crucial for emotional health because this is what allows you to understand and recognize your own emotions, what is causing them, and how they are affecting your decisions and behavior. When you lack self-awareness, you cannot accurately monitor your feelings and they can take control of your choices quickly.
They Focus on the Positive
When you maintain a positive attitude, you are much more likely to be stronger emotionally. Being optimistic does not mean you never have negative emotions, but it does say that you believe that positive things are ahead and that your negative situation will not last. Your positive attitude helps you see yourself through adversity while helping you to set goals and make them happen.
They are Adaptable
One of the reasons emotionally healthy people are so good at bouncing back after a disappointment is their ability to adapt to new circumstances. When you cling too hard to expectations or assumptions, you can become disillusioned when things do not go your way. But, when you remain adaptable, you recognize when it is time to change goals or try a new way. Being flexible allows you to make better choices about your situation to help you realize your dreams.
They are Analytical
When it comes to your emotions, they are not always the most helpful in making decisions. Emotionally healthy people know how to examine and understand their feelings while also analyzing their habits, past experiences, and goals to make the best choices. And being analytical also means you are always interested in improvement, which keeps you finding new ways to better yourself and become healthier and stable.
They Believe in Themselves
Being emotionally healthy means believing that you have the right to be happy, you are worthy of that, and you believe in yourself. A belief in yourself will allow you to work for the future and to know that you have what it takes to make sure it all turns out well. While believing in yourself must turn into action for it to be truly beneficial, when you have this faith in your abilities, you are much more likely to act in positive ways.
They are Empathetic
Part of emotional health is being able to recognize and empathize with others. Empathy is when you understand how someone else feels from their point of view. When you are in touch with your own emotions, you are much more likely to be able to see and empathize these emotions in others and to understand the type of support someone might need to help them deal with their feelings effectively.
They Honour Their Needs
When you have emotional health, you know the difference between what you need and what you want in life, and you respect your needs over your wants when you must choose. Honouring your need for safety and shelter, for example, is much healthier than honouring your desire to go out with friends when you can’t really afford it. When you have emotional health, you understand how important it is to take loving care of yourself and to honour those most critical things in your life.
This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.