Emotional health is an important part of overall health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They’re able to cope with life’s challenges. They can keep problems in perspective and bounce back from setbacks. They feel good about themselves and have good relationships.

Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean you’re happy all the time. It means you’re aware of your emotions. You can deal with them, whether they’re positive or negative. Emotionally healthy people still feel stress, anger, and sadness. But they know how to manage their negative feelings. They can tell when a problem is more than they can handle on their own. They also know when to seek help from their doctor.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep isn’t just good for our bodies, it also helps balance our moods. When we eat fast food and try to get by on a few hours of sleep, it will enhance our negative stress response, leaving us feeling especially sensitive.

Another essential piece of the puzzle is stress management. There are so many ways for stress to creep into our lives. We need to be proactive about how we cope with it. Being able to talk openly with a sibling, parent, or close friend reminds us, in urgent moments and everyday ones, that we’re not alone. That can go a long way in grounding us. But your support system doesn’t need to be limited to loved ones. Fill it with anything that comforts you: a pet, a music genre you listen to religiously, a painting etc.

Counseling, support groups, and medicines can help people who have emotional problems or mental illness. If you have an ongoing emotional problem, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find the right type of treatment.