Understanding Emotions and Loss

Healthy Behavior

• Healthy behavior involves activities that promote mental and emotional well-being, not just the absence of illness
• Includes many dimensions, encompassing not just physical health but other aspects

Dimensions of Health

• Physical Health:
  • Regular physical activity
  • Nutritious diet
  • Adequate sleep
  • Safety precautions (e.g., seatbelts, sunscreen)
  • Oral hygiene (brushing and flossing)
  • Avoiding tobacco, alcohol and drugs
  • Regular checkups
• Mental/Emotional Health:
  • Understanding and managing emotions
  • Healthy relationships
  • Effective communication
  • Stress management
  • Decision-making skills
• Social Health:
  • Building and maintaining relationships
  • Connecting with family and friends
  • Engaging in community activities
  • Contributing to the wider community
• Spiritual Health:
  • Finding meaning and purpose in life
  • Following personal values and beliefs
  • Acting in accordance with values
• The dimensions of health are interconnected and influence each other. Improving one aspect often positively affects others.

Emotional Health

• The ability to feel and express a wide range of emotions in healthy ways
• Includes aspects like coping with difficult feelings, resilience, and healthy self-acceptance
• Managing and expressing emotions effectively is key to overall well-being
• A good emotional state is needed to build and maintain relationships and to navigate life's challenges

Goal Setting for Emotional Health

• Setting goals is a crucial element in developing positive emotional health
• Includes short-term and long-term goals specifically related to emotional well-being
• Goals need to be specific, realistic and measurable
• Identifying benefits from reaching a goal is a key motivating factor.
• Understanding why a goal is important to an individual helps ensure effort and commitment

Communication

• Communication involves both verbal (words) and nonverbal (body language, tone of voice, facial expressions) elements
• I-messages are a way to communicate emotions clearly and effectively without blaming others.
• Assertive communication, involves stating feelings, needs, and opinions, respects others.
• Active listening is crucial– paying attention and showing that you are listening, responding and clarifying, ensuring understanding

Dealing with Grief

• Grief is a normal response to loss, especially the death of a loved one
• Common feelings associated with grief include shock, disbelief, sadness, regret, anger, and sometimes guilt
• It's important to allow oneself to experience these emotions and find healthy ways of coping
• People grieve in different ways, and it's essential to be supportive of others during and following a loss.

Stress Management

• Stress is a feeling of pressure caused by events, circumstances or situations 
• Internal and external sources contribute to stress
• Identifying stressors is crucial for effective management
• Healthy coping mechanisms can improve emotional health

Understanding and Coping With Stress

• Stress is a normal part of life, but how you react to it affects your health
• Strategies to cope with stress include:
  • Healthy choices (diet, exercise)
  • Social support
  • Creative expression (art, music)
  • Relaxation techniques (meditation, breathing exercises)

Mental Health Disorders

• Mental health disorders are conditions that significantly affect a person’s thinking, mood and behavior.
• These conditions often require treatment and support 
• Examples of mental health conditions include anxiety and depression
• Warning Signs of mental health disorders include changes in mood or activity levels or thoughts of suicide
• Seeking support from a professional is important for the well-being of individuals coping with mental health disorders

Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses involving problematic eating habits and often an obsessive focus on body image.
• Symptoms can include restricted food intake/ eating or exercising in excess
• Can affect how the body functions causing a variety of health problems including malnutrition and organ damage

Social Media and Emotional Health

• Social media can significantly affect body image, relationships, and stress levels.
• Realistically evaluating media portrayals can foster a positive body image.

Healthy Relationships

• Healthy relationships are characterized by mutual respect, communication, honesty, trust, and empathy.
• Healthy relationships support and encourage individual well-being.
• Unhealthy relationships are often characterized by aggression, poor communication, or controlling behaviors.

Conflict Resolution

• The ability to manage disagreements constructively 
• Communication strategies, such as listening skills, assertiveness, and I-messages, can facilitate conflict resolution.