What is good emotional health?
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P eople with good emotional health are aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They have learned healthy ways to cope with the stress and problems that are a normal part of life. They feel good about themselves and have healthy relationships. However, many things that happen in your life can disrupt your emotional health and lead to strong feelings of sadness, stress or anxiety. These things include: Being laid off from your job Having a child leave or return home Dealing with the death of a loved one Getting divorced or married Suffering an illness or an injury Getting a job promotion Experiencing money problems Moving to a new home or having a baby. “Good” changes can be just as stressful as “bad” changes. How can my emotions affect my health? Your body responds to the way you think, feel and act. This is often called the “mind/body connection.” When you are stressed, anxious or upset, your body tries to tell you that something isn’t right. For example, high blood pressure...