It’s likely that every morning you take a shower, brush your teeth, and wash your face. These are part of a good hygiene routine.

Are you practicing emotional hygiene as well? It is just as important as your physical habits and can lead to improved overall well-being.

Just like dirt or oil builds on our bodies, the worries of life pile up too, and can build to a point where it weighs you down emotionally. It’s important to give yourself a mental “scrub” and talk to a professional about what is troubling you.

A huge number of Americans are seeking some kind of treatment for mental health issues according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2021, 21.6% of adults sought mental health treatment, up from 19.2% in 2019.

While more people are going to therapy, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly half the population believes seeking therapy is a sign of weakness. However, taking care of your emotional health is no less important than taking care of your physical health, and will actually make you a stronger person.

The Benefits

Emotional hygiene doesn’t always involve talking to a therapist, you can talk to someone you feel safe confiding in. It can include mindfulness, meditation, adopting a positive attitude, exercise, or even scheduling time for yourself. Whatever you do to relieve stress is part of an emotional hygiene routine. Here are how those actions can benefit you:

1. Improved mental health — According to the World Health Organization, mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community." Taking care of your emotional well-being can help you achieve this state, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.
2. Reduced stress — Per the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can have a negative impact on your physical health, as well as your mental health. Taking care of your emotional well-being can help lighten the weight daily stressors bring and make it easier to enjoy life despite them.
3. Better relationships — When you take care of your emotional well-being, you are better able to connect with others. Psychologist Guy Winch wrote, "When we feel good about ourselves, we are better able to be present with others and connect deeply."
4. Improved self-esteem — Winch also wrote, "When we care for ourselves emotionally, we feel better about ourselves and our abilities." This can lead to increased confidence and self-worth.
5. Improved productivity — When you're not distracted by negative emotions, you're better able to focus on the task at hand and get things done.
6. Improved resilience — Taking care of your emotional well-being can help you better cope with difficult situations and bounce back from adversity.
7. Improved overall well-being — When you take care of your emotional well-being, you're better able to enjoy life and all it has to offer.

It is difficult to maintain physical health without the emotional component and vice versa. When both mind and body are in sync, working toward your overall health, you have a better quality of life and can do so much more for yourself and those you care about.

We Are Here to Help

AltaMed is here to help you with your holistic health needs. That includes your emotional health. The behavioral health clinicians with our Behavioral Health team speak English and Spanish and are trained to help you cope with life stressors and get you through a rough time.

We offer short-term therapy to help you develop and strengthen your coping skills. We can also link you to mental health services if you need long-term services. Call us today at (855) 425-1777 to learn more.