Our emotional state has a significant effect on everyday life and can be a big impact on day-to-day tasks.
Studies have shown that students who are suffering from emotional health issues tend to struggle academically as well. In fact, research and surveys suggest that mental health can directly affect grade. Hard work is not enough for academic achievement.
Self-care is also a necessary step that all students should be aware of, either for themselves or for a friend. Let’s take a closer look at why this is so important.
Emotional Health Problems Their Symptoms
Our emotional health can be profoundly affected by things that happen in everyday life.
There are many other factors, aside from everyday situations that affect emotional health. Some things impacting emotional health may be beyond one’s own control.
Some of the factors which affect emotional health are the following:
Mental Health Issues & Disorders
Mental health issues can heavily influence a person’s emotional health. There are some conditions that people can be exposed to that affect their emotions and mental state.
Some of the most common conditions include anxiety & depression, PTSD, and many others.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are relatively common worldwide, and are the most common mental disorders in Canadians.
Approximately 11.6% of Canadian adults have been identified to have some anxiety disorder. These disorders can include conditions like phobias, panic attacks, substance use disorders, and many more.
Stress
It is normal to be exposed to stress on an everyday basis. However, being exposed to high amounts of stress constantly can be very harmful.
Stress can be a trigger for other emotions to come forward. It is both a cause and an effect.
Relationships
Positive and supportive relationships lead to better emotional health.
On the other hand, destructive relationships can be detrimental to health.
Common Emotional Health Symptoms
Not everyone, however, will exhibit the same symptoms indicating poor emotional health. Some of the common ones are the following:
- Physical weakness and feeling constantly tired
- Mood swings are common; being constantly nervous, scared, angry, sad, and the presence of other negative emotions can also be an indicator
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively
- Difficulty in concentrating and accomplishing tasks
- Changes in diet and sleeping patterns
- Substance use and abuse
- Social withdrawal or cries for help
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
These can all be signs that a person is suffering from poor emotional health.
It is especially problematic for students since they are usually held back academically.
Consequences of Having Emotional Health Problems: How Do They Hold You Back?
Emotional health problems have many consequences, especially if they become chronic and continuously present.
These consequences may range from relatively shallow to very serious, depending on the person in question. Some of these are the following:
Physical health
It has already been proven by numerous studies that a person’s mental and emotional health impacts physical health. Poor emotional health can lead to physical problems and other consequences.
Impact on relationships
Poor emotional health can place a strain on personal relationships. Mood fluctuations, for example, can be problematic to deal with for some people.
Substance use and abuse
Emotional and mental problems can push some people into using and abusing substances. These will eventually cause even more problems further down the line.
Poor academic performance
For students, poor academic performance is a common consequence of poor psychological health. It can seem like a manageable problem. However, if left unaddressed, this can balloon out into more severe consequences later on.
It is evident from above that emotional health problems are not isolated to emotional issues alone. Dealing with poor emotional health is necessary in keeping a person’s life in good order. Failure to do so can lead to many other problems that can further cascade into other consequences.
Healthy Ways of Dealing with Emotional Problems
Staying in top emotional health is not an easy task. Even the best of us can sometimes be exposed to things that are detrimental to our emotional health. Some even deal with psychological problems in an unhealthy way.
These things can impact a student’s academic life negatively and lead to poor academic performance.
Academic excellence does not only involve working hard and studying diligently. Students also have to take care of their emotional health. Some of the best and healthiest ways of doing so are the following:
1. Identifying and avoiding the triggers that impact your emotional health
We all have things that make us tick. These things can impact our mental state more intensely compared to others. Identifying what these triggers are is vital in making sure that they do not affect us too negatively.
Identification leads to management and proper avoidance. Doing all these can lead to better emotional health and academic performance. Some of the most common triggers that impact emotional health are the following:
- Personal relationships
- Responsibilities at home and in school
- Specific situations
Proper avoidance is key to making sure that the proper impact of these triggers is minimized. Avoidance is not always possible, however. In these cases, preparation and management of emotional state should be done.
2. Seeking help from the people around you
Some people are not as equipped as others in dealing with stress.
Many people are impacted by specific emotional triggers. It is especially notable in people that are still of student age. Their emotional maturity has not yet reached the point of being exceptionally resilient to stress. These people may need the guidance of others to move forward. Seeking help from people that you trust may be necessary.
Take note that it is perfectly acceptable to ask for help from people around you. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
3. Taking steps that can lead to emotional wellness
Some things can help people relax and unwind. Doing these things can reduce the impact of stress and other problems. Many of these link to better emotional health.
Many of these, in fact, can be directly linked to emotional wellness. Some of these activities include the following:
- Yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and breathing exercises
- Regular exercise
- Taking regular walks
- Proper diet
Some people may be skeptical about the effects of these activities. However, as long as a person receives benefits, it wouldn’t hurt to try these out. Try meditating, for example, after a tiring day in school. See if it helps you clear your mind.
4. Staying physically healthy
Physical health and emotional health are very closely connected to each other. Staying in top physical shape helps in keeping you emotionally and mentally stable. Some of the best ways of staying in top shape are the following:
- Getting ample sleep
- Dealing with stress the healthy way
- Proper diet and regular exercise
- Avoiding harmful substances
Staying in good physical health can also help mitigate the symptoms of some mental and emotional health issues. Even if you suffer from these, staying physically healthy can help you cope more effectively.
5. Dealing with stress the healthy way
Stress can impact a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In many cases, stress is unavoidable. Properly managing these stressors, however, can significantly help. Some ways of managing stress include the following:
- Identifying and avoiding stressors
- Time management
- Talking about stress may help
- Staying in top physical health.
No one is entirely immune to stress. There are unexpected things that we may be exposed to that will cause us stress. Proper stress management can help us prepare for these situations.
6. Surround yourself with people that support you
As we mentioned earlier, relationships directly impact a person’s emotional state. Positive relationships have positive effects on health, whereas destructive relationships have adverse effects. Surrounding yourself with people that support you can help.
Of course, these people must have your best interests and well-being in mind. Having people that tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear, helps.
7. See a doctor or a therapist
You may still feel like you are not coping with emotional problems efficiently. If this is the case, it may be time to see a doctor or a therapist. Seeking a counselor’s aid can help in making sure that you manage your emotions and not let them spiral out of control.
These specially trained professionals help people with emotional and mental health concerns. Seeing a counselor and going through therapy can significantly help with staying emotionally healthy.
Don’t Let You Emotional Health Hold You Back from Academic Achievement
Staying in top emotional shape is one of the things that a student needs to excel. Studying regularly and working hard may not be enough. Emotional problems can get in the way of academic achievement. If you feel like your emotional state is holding you back, then you may need therapy.
Capital Choice Counselling has therapists and counsellors with vast experience in dealing with emotional health issues. Our professionals are leaders in their fields.
We have been serving the Ottawa area since 2006 and are among the most trusted in the field.
Contact us today to set up your first appointment with one of our qualified counsellors in Ottawa.