How can my emotions affect my health?

Your body responds to the way you think, feel and act. This is a kind of "mind / body connection". When you are stressed, anxious or upset, your body reacts in a way that may indicate that something is not right. For example, you may develop high blood pressure or a stomach ulcer after a particularly stressful event, such as the death of a loved one.

Road to Better Health

There are ways you can improve your emotional health. First, try to recognize your emotions and understand why you are having them. Classifying the causes of sadness, stress and anxiety in your life can help you control your emotional health. The following are some other helpful tips.

Express your feelings appropriately. If feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety are causing physical problems, keeping these feelings can make you feel worse. It's okay to make your loved ones know when something bothers you. However, keep in mind that your family and friends can not always help you deal with your feelings properly. At this time, ask someone outside the situation for help. Try asking for advice and support from your family doctor, counselor, or religious advisor to help you improve your emotional health.

Live a balanced life. Concentrate on the things you feel grateful for in life. Try not to become obsessed with problems at work, school or home that lead to negative feelings. This does not mean that you have to pretend to be happy when you feel stressed, anxious or angry. It is important to deal with these negative feelings, but also try to focus on the positive things in your life. You may want to use a calendar to keep track of things that make you feel happy or quiet. Some research has shown that having a positive attitude can improve your quality of life and give a boost to your health. You may also need to find ways to get rid of some things in your life that make you feel stressed and overwhelmed. Take some time to enjoy the things you like.