HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A pandemic, politics, and protests; these are all topics where emotions have run high, and can take a toll. It's 'Emotional Wellness Month', and your mental health matters. Part of that includes checking in on your emotional well-being.
WZDX News spoke with Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services Psychotherapist, Monretta Vega, on how you can assess and manage your emotions during these difficult times.
"When we say emotional, health wellness we're talking about the ability to check in on oneself and say 'Hey, how am I doing?'" says Vega.
According to the CDC, more than 11 percent of adults aged 18 and over have regular feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety. Vega says relieving those feelings can bring peace of mind and it starts with participating in an activity.
"You just have to make sure you have that release, the ability to let go. The ability to focus on something that is outside of our norm, and outside of our daily responsibility," she says.
Some of those activities include the gym, cooking, and painting. "So, a coping skill, self-care, making sure that we're okay - so that self awareness. Those are three key things that we want to make sure we're doing on a everyday basis," says Vega.
Vega also encourages therapy for people who may need help to better manage their emotional wellness.
"We may have some family members that we talk to, but having that person that's outside of that circle to really disclose information and process feelings and emotions that we may not feel so strongly about or confident about would be so beneficial right now."
Vega says services can also be offered through your employer. "EAP is an employee assistance program, and some employers through HR will be able to give you a good five or six sessions."
Vega says there are also free services in Alabama, including calling the 211 line.