Emotional wellbeing is the ability to live, function and cope with the demands of everyday life. Positive emotional wellbeing requires one to be flexible, creative and in good mental health. Our emotional wellbeing is influenced by physical, psychological and social factors. We need to have physical health, social support and connectedness as well as a sense of belonging to have good emotional wellbeing. Issues relevant to wellbeing unfold at every stage in life from childhood to midlife and beyond. Emotional wellbeing is influenced by many factors and there are lots of things we can do to protect and enhance our emotional wellbeing. This is important because it impacts on our overall health, ability to live and cope.

Good emotional wellbeing

• Take time out for yourself. By nurturing yourself, you’ll have the emotional energy to do other things you need to do. Recognise the things in your life that recharge you and ensure you do them regularly. A deep relaxing breath or a walk with a friend, making time for a chat with a friend, sitting in the park or just in the garden, a movie, a relaxing bubble bath, facial or manicure, or making time to do whatever you want to do.
• Think about your inner voice – what messages is it sending? Women whose inner voice is overly critical, or demands perfectionism, or is depressed or anxious tend to also feel bad about themselves. Challenging the negative inner voice is important and some women find that positive affirmations can be helpful – such as “I can do this”, or “I am a worthwhile person.” Come up with your own affirmation that means something to you.
• Do a regular emotional audit. Is there an issue that’s been on your mind? Do you have a plan to do something about it? What can you do and how might others assist you? Take time out to think about what’s going on in your life and how you can best manage it.
• Are you suffering from a clinical depression or anxiety. Check out the symptoms at Beyond Blue and seek help if you have been experiencing them for more than 2 weeks.
• Women who have a role or a number of roles that they feel good about, have less illness and are more satisfied with their lives. Think about your own role/s. Is there a good balance?
• Talk to a psychologist if you need help managing difficult situations in your life.  

Body image

Body image is the way we think, feel and picture our body. From childhood through adolescence and on to adulthood, body shape changes and sometimes so does our body image. More...

Culture

As we know, women in Australia come from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. Cultural background and the culture in which you live may impact on your experience of ageing.. More...

Depression and anxiety

Many theories have debated the link between hormones and depression. More...

Relationships

For some women midlife is a time to spend together and relax in the comfort of the relationship, while for others it is time to reassess their relationships and seek guidance and support. More...

Relaxation

Escaping from the stress and strain of the daily routine has a positive influence on the health and wellbeing of both women and men. More...

Self-esteem

Self-esteem is what we believe and feel about ourselves and the way we value ourselves. More...

Stress

Stress occurs when we feel threatened or cannot cope with a situation. Life is busy and it is important to take time out to deal with influences that may be causing the stress. More...

Further resources

Related articles

Coping with chronic pain
National Magazine, Summer 2010

Grief and loss
National Magazine, Winter 2010

The midlife roller-coaster: thinking about the issues
National Magazine, Winter 2006

Books

Change Your Thinking
By Dr Sarah Edelman

Don’t Panic: Anxiety, Phobias and Tension
By Dr Andrew Page

Life Lessons
By Elisabeth Kubler-Ross & David Kessler

Loss and Grief: dealing with life crises
By Megan Gressor in association with Dr Geoffry Glassock

Mother Who?
By Dianne Evans

Stress: how to cope with pressure
By Dr David Lake

The Happiness Trap
By Dr Russ Harris

CDs/DVDs

Mindfulness Skills CD: Volume 1
By Dr Russ Harris

Fact sheets

Emotional Health at Midlife and Menopause (65.25 KB)

Websites

Australian Psychological Society

Beyond Blue

Lifeline

SANE Australia

 

Content updated July 27, 2010