The New Year is a time of resolution and a good time to check your emotional well-being.
Experts say it’s as easy as labeling your emotions.
Allie Henderson, a wellbeing consultant at Regence BlueCross BlueShield in Utah, says that naming your emotions immediately starts regulating your physiological responses.
“Once you understand the emotions you’re feeling, you can move on to healthy and sustainable coping mechanisms,” she said.
Many of us can distract ourselves by scrolling through social media or engaging in emotional eating, but Henderson reminds us that that doesn’t solve the problem. .
“When I can take the time to ask myself what am I feeling, why am I feeling this way, what do I need?”
Henderson said that once we answer those questions, we can turn to coping mechanisms that really help. She also told me not to give in to the pressure that you have to be happy all the time.
“There are no good or bad feelings,” Henderson said. “All emotions are information, trying to tell us something.”
Suppressing these emotions can have detrimental effects on your health.
“By taking the time to acknowledge your emotions and letting them work for you rather than against you, you can make a lot of positive impacts in your life,” Henderson said.
It’s also a good time for her to think about how she’s really doing, answer honestly, and not be afraid to ask for help if she’s struggling.
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