Mental and emotional wellness are important aspects of your overall health. It affects how you think, feel, and act. Being kind to your mind is just as important as being kind to your body. Making healthy lifestyle choices—such as paying attention to how you handle stress, manage relationships, or do simple things to take care of yourself—can help you preserve your mental health and emotional well-being.
- Cultivate Positivity. Think about one good thing that happened over the last 24 hours. Specifically, something relatively small that went well (e.g., a good meal, a peaceful moment, or a goal achieved).
- Be physically active. Exercise can release tension, tame stress, and improve your sense of well-being. It will help relieve some symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Focus on eating a variety of fruits and dark green leafy vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Nuts, seeds and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also foods that may boost your mood.
- Practice deep breathing. Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose for four counts, hold for one second, and then exhale through the mouth for five counts. Repeat often.
- Stick to a healthy sleep schedule. Create a healthy routine to get a good night’s sleep.
- Make time to unwind. Find activities that bring you joy and set time aside to indulge in those activities.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. Participate in activities and find like-minded people that can help improve your mood and reduce your urge to smoke or drink.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling. If you are struggling, be honest with your loved ones and get the support you need.
For additional resources and information about mental and emotional wellness, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mental health webpage.
Your Employee Assistance Program Can Help
If you are struggling to cope during times of stress, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has resources available to help. Your EAP provides free and confidential counseling to help you cope with and manage feelings of stress and anxiety. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, contact your Component EAP, or send an email to worklife@hq.dhs.gov.