Why is Emotional Wellness Important?
Sep 4, 2023
Why so serious? This quote is uttered by the mischievous menace that torments Gotham in the Batman series that we've come to know and love. That's right: the Joker. Now my friends, the Joker has been around for ages, but never quite like this.
A new interpretation of the playful villain was brought out by Joaquin Phoenix in the film “Joker.” Haven't seen it yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Phoenix's portrayal brought something completely new and heartrending to the table when it comes to emotional wellness.
Instead of showing the trickster as an unredeemable villain bent on causing chaos for fun, the Joker is portrayed as a man neglected by the world around him. As a result of the hardships and abuse he endures by those who care little about his emotional health, he inevitably transforms into the comic book character.
Not only does Phoenix brilliantly portray a man pushed over the edge by those around him, but also as someone forced to wear a hypothetical mask in order to hide that mental damage. In this tale version, the Joker is not just a simple villain. The TRUE villain is Gotham itself.
What is Emotional Wellness and Health?
Emotional health is a state of well-being in which an individual is able to cope with life's challenges, build strong relationships, have good mind wellness, and feel good about themselves. Emotional wellness is not just the absence of mental illness but also the ability to effectively manage one's emotions.
Many factors contribute to emotional health, including a person's genetics, environment, and own choices. While some people are naturally more resilient than others, anyone can take steps to improve their emotional health.
How to Know if You're Struggling With Emotional Health and Want Emotional Wellness Goals in Life:
It can be difficult to tell if you're struggling with emotional health. After all, we all go through ups and downs in life. But if you are struggling to find joy in life or finding that your low points are lasting longer than usual or impacting your ability to function in day-to-day life, it may be time to seek help.
Some common signs that you're struggling with emotional health include:
Feeling numb or disconnected from your emotions
Experiencing extreme mood swings
Withdrawing from social activities or hobbies that you used to enjoy
Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
Eating too much or not eating enough
Abusing drugs or alcohol
If you're experiencing any of these signs or do not have any emotional wellness goals in life, it's important to reach out for help. Many resources are available to help you cope with whatever you're going through. Don't be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, therapist, or doctor. Remember, you're not alone.
What Can The Joker Teach Us About Emotional Wellness?
Much like the Joker, many of us are wearing masks nowadays. Well, of course, we are all quite literally wearing masks because of a pandemic, but you get what I mean. Of course, our masks also protect us from our own insecurities.
People are wearing masks to protect each other, but at the same time, there are those who don't agree with that. Some are afraid, and some are just frustrated with the state of the world. Regardless of where you stand, it's important to recognize the emotional health of yourself and others. It's easy to be rude when you can't see someone's face, but everyone is human.
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Everyone has feelings.
No one could have known years ago that we'd be wearing masks when we go out. Suddenly, normal outings are new and unfamiliar. Instead of seeing smiling faces, you are met with the top half of a face. This has led to some unfortunate hatred.
Please focus on your health goals to get both physcially and mentally stronger.
Understanding the Impact of Poor Emotional Health
Emotional well-being is crucial in our daily lives, intertwined with our mental and physical health. Just as the Joker's emotional struggles took a toll on his character, poor emotional wellness can significantly affect anyone's life. It's essential to recognize the signs and address them promptly.
The Consequences of Poor Emotional Wellness
Here are the consequences:
Impaired Relationships and Social Isolation
Poor emotional health can strain relationships and lead to social isolation. Much like the Joker's lack of connection with others, struggling emotionally can cause you to withdraw from social interactions and weaken your support network. You also start keeping score in relationships which is a bad thing and it impacts your relationships.
Increased Stress and Inability to Cope
Just as the Joker's hardships pushed him to the edge, poor emotional health can leave you feeling overwhelmed by stress and unable to cope effectively. Stress management becomes challenging, impacting your overall well-being.
Physical Health Implications
Your emotional well-being is closely linked to your physical wellness. Poor emotional health can contribute to unhealthy physical habits, such as overeating or lack of exercise, leading to potential health issues.
The Connection Between Poor Emotional Health and Mental Health Conditions
Here is the connection between poor emotional health and mental health conditions:
Risk of Developing Mental Health Conditions
Long-term emotional struggles can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions, similar to how the Joker's emotional neglect contributed to his transformation. Conditions like anxiety and depression may arise from unaddressed emotional challenges.
Cycle of Negative Thoughts
Just as the Joker's negative experiences fueled his transformation, poor emotional wellness can lead to a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions. This cycle can intensify over time and hinder your ability to experience joy and contentment.
Everyday Life with Poor Emotional Health
The problem that you'll face.
Impact on Decision-Making and Concentration
Poor emotional well-being can affect your ability to concentrate and make informed decisions. You also face different barriers to effective decision making. The Joker's mental state affected his judgment; similarly, struggling emotionally can cloud your decision-making skills.
Struggling to Manage Stress
Like the Joker's inability to manage stress, poor emotional health can make it challenging to handle everyday stressors. Coping mechanisms may be compromised, leading to heightened anxiety and overwhelm. And you end up with bad habits like impulse buy to cope up with stress.
Taking Steps Towards Emotional Well-Being
Here are some easy steps that you can follow to achieve your emotional wellness goals:
Prioritizing Emotional Health
Just as the article emphasizes the importance of both mental and physical health, addressing emotional health is crucial. Acknowledging your emotions and seeking help when needed is essential for overall well-being.
Building Resilience and Relationships
Developing resilience, much like the article's emphasis on humanizing individuals, can strengthen your emotional health. Building positive relationships and connecting with others can provide the support needed to navigate challenges.
Promoting Positive Momentum
By taking steps to manage emotional challenges, you can promote positive momentum in your life. Fostering healthy emotional habits can lead to improved overall mental and physical well-being.
Setting Emotional Wellness Goals:
It is important to set some emotional wellness goals for your well-being.
Know Yourself: Get better at spotting your emotions and what sets them off. It's about catching those emotions as they happen and seeing how they steer what you do.
Handling Stress: Find good ways to deal with the tough stuff. This can be things like chilling with some meditation, getting active, or chatting with someone who gets you, maybe even a pro if that helps.
Sharing How You Feel: Be cool with talking about your feelings honestly but in a way that's helpful. It makes things less stressful and helps bond with others.
Growing as a Person: Aim to be better at understanding others, being thankful, or picking up new ways to handle emotions.
By focusing on these points, you can boost how well you feel emotionally, which makes life better and more rewarding overall.
So, How Can You Bolster Your Emotional Health?
The first step is to remember that we're all in this together. These are hard times, but alienating each other is not going to help. Instead, choose to be a growth-owner. By doing so, you can bring positivity to the world around you while building up your own emotional wellbeing or health.
As a result of social distancing, we've been programmed to see strangers as dangerous. Instead of seeing them as normal people, they're suddenly villains in the story of our lives. Of course, it's important to stay safe and following protocols is helpful, but maybe seeing others as villainous is not the solution.
I know people who are afraid to go outside because of the fear of those who refuse to wear a mask or distance themselves. I've also heard from those who believe masks to be a hindrance to their person. Regardless of what you believe, it can be hard to go toe to toe with people who don't agree with you. But this can actually bolster your emotional wellness affects.
Don't believe me? Well, go out and try it! Just find someone with a different belief and speak to them as a human being. Always show kindness and ensure they know that you see them as more than just a villain in a story.
This will not only help you build positive momentum, but relationships as well. Just by humanizing the person behind the mask, you can strengthen your relationships. Stare into the eyes of a neighbor or friend and just start talking!
Know that one conversation could mean so much to someone. Just think about what could have happened if the Joker had a friend who truly cared about his emotional health!
In Conclusion
Just as the Joker's emotional struggles shaped his character, poor emotional wellness can significantly impact your life.
Recognising the signs and addressing them through seeking support, building resilience, and nurturing relationships is crucial for maintaining good emotional health. Moreover, you should focus on setting some emotional wellness goals for yourself.
Remember, taking care of your emotional well-being is an essential aspect of living a fulfilling and balanced life.
Want To Add Even More Fire To Your Emotional Health Core?
Want to know where you stand in the five values of life tied to happiness (Your 5 Cores), take this two minute Core Values Quiz to get your core score in the five values of life.