When we have the goal of improving our mental wellness, the first step is learning how to check in with our feelings and mood patterns.
Ready to try it out? Take a few minutes to think about these questions:
“How am I feeling?”
If you’re not feeling genuinely good, take a moment to think deeper and pinpoint what emotions you have been experiencing.
“How is my body feeling?”
Stress shows up in your physical body in addition to the mind. Are your shoulders tight? Is your jaw clenched? Are you having trouble breathing deeply? Is your heart racing? Are you feeling nauseous or queasy? These are all physical symptoms of mental stress.
“What’s taking up the most headspace right now?”
What’s on your mind? Is there a specific worry that keeps tapping you on the shoulder? Are you overwhelmed with an upcoming project, task, or decision that you have to make? Do you feel as though there’s a relationship in your life that’s somehow being jeopardized?
When we take the time to ask ourselves these questions, we become better adjusted to the idea of thinking through our thoughts instead of just letting them ruminate in our minds. Practicing regular check-ins will help you sort through your feelings and help ensure that you’re not taking out your anger, worry, or stress on those around you. Furthermore, by verbalizing your emotions with yourself, you begin to develop a broader vocabulary for describing your feelings, thus gaining better emotional literacy.