In addition to physical health, it’s essential to prioritize emotional well-being. Learn effective strategies for nurturing your emotional health.
Besides physical well-being, maintaining emotional health is crucial as it can have enduring effects on our lives. Many individuals overlook this aspect as they navigate through daily routines, handling numerous responsibilities and challenges in both personal and professional spheres. Real-life scenarios can shed light on the significance of acknowledging emotional turmoil. For instance, Sonica Aron, Founder & Managing Partner of Marching Sheep, recounts the experience of a talented professional who faced setbacks in his career due to organizational restructuring. Despite coping with demanding circumstances, including lengthy commutes and personal commitments, he struggled with trust issues and eventually experienced a breakdown at work, leading to his departure from the company. Similar instances of emotional strain are commonplace, often concealed behind outward appearances. It’s essential to recognize the signs of emotional distress and seek appropriate support when needed. Ultimately, addressing emotional challenges is crucial for fostering overall well-being and achieving success in various aspects of life.
Strategies for Handling Emotional Turmoil (Techniques for Maintaining Emotional Wellness)
Discover Effective Ways to Navigate Emotional Turmoil with These Simple Suggestions Shared by Sonica Aron, Founder & Managing Partner of Marching Sheep:
Self-awareness and Recognition
If something feels off, trust your intuition. Pause and take a moment to reflect. Each emotion serves a purpose. No emotion should be dismissed as negative—whether it’s anger, frustration, sadness, or helplessness—they all signal that action is needed. It’s essential to acknowledge them rather than suppressing them or resorting to temporary fixes like overeating, excessive shopping, or socializing. While these activities may temporarily alleviate symptoms, they won’t address the underlying issue.
Avoid falling into the trap of well-intentioned yet superficial consolation
“It’s just a phase,” “Everything will be fine,” “Just give it time.” Every individual has unique stress triggers, responses, and coping mechanisms. Discovering yours is a personal journey, often supported by trusted individuals, including professionals when needed.
Ignore the Taboo
Regrettably, our society still stigmatizes discussions about mental and emotional well-being. While people openly share their triumphs over physical illnesses, they often conceal their emotional struggles. However, it’s crucial to recognize that mental and emotional illnesses are just as valid as physical ailments, and they can be treated. With the advent of telemedicine, accessing therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists has become more convenient than ever before.
Organizations have a significant responsibility in this regard
With a significant portion of the workforce spending the majority of their waking hours at work, organizations must acknowledge the importance of addressing mental and emotional well-being. Many organizations have implemented Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), allowing employees to seek confidential counseling. However, this should be viewed as a last resort. Instead, organizations should strive to create an environment where employees feel supported and do not feel the need to seek external counseling. Throughout the employee lifecycle, policies, practices, and safety nets should be implemented to prioritize employee well-being. Sensitizing people managers on building psychological safety and emotional resilience within teams can be crucial.
For instance, during the pandemic, an employee who was laid off didn’t struggle with the fact of being laid off but rather felt neglected by her manager of five years, who hadn’t checked on her well-being during her notice period.
The pandemic has served as a wake-up call on various issues, with emotional well-being being one of them. It’s time for individuals, managers, leaders, organizations, and society as a whole to destigmatize mental and emotional well-being and address it with genuine intention.