Karachi: To live a happy life it is necessary to be healthy both physically and emotionally People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their emotions and their behavior. They are able to handle life's inevitable challenges, build strong relationships, and lead productive, fulfilling lives. When bad things happen, they're able to bounce back and move on.

Unfortunately, too many people take their mental and emotional health for granted - focusing on it only when they develop problems. But just as it requires effort to build or maintain physical health, so it is with mental and emotional health. The more time and energy you invest in your emotional health, the stronger it will be.

Mental or emotional health refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties. 
   
Good mental health isn't just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Rather than the absence of mental illness, mental and emotional health refers to the presence of positive characteristics. People who are mentally and emotionally healthy have a sense of contentment, and a zest for living and the ability to laugh and have fun.
     
They have ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity. They have a sense of meaning and purpose, in both their activities and their relationships. The possess flexibility to learn new things and adapt to change. They know how to balance between work and play, rest and activity.

The ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships is the hallmark of mentally fit people, as they have self-confidence and high self-esteem.
   
These positive characteristics of mental and emotional health allow one to participate in life to the fullest extent possible through productive, meaningful activities and strong relationships. These positive characteristics also help you cope when faced with life's challenges and stresses.
   
Being emotionally and mentally healthy doesn't mean never going through bad times or experiencing emotional problems. We all go through disappointments, loss, and change. And while these are normal parts of life, they can still cause sadness, anxiety, and stress.
   
The difference is that people with good emotional health have an ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma, and stress. This ability is called resilience. People who are emotionally and mentally healthy have the tools for coping with difficult situations and maintaining a positive outlook. They remain focused, flexible, and creative in bad times as well as good.
   
Resilience involves maintaining flexibility and balance in one's life as one deals with stressful circumstances and traumatic events. This happens in several ways, including: Letting yourself experience strong emotions, and also realizing when you may need to avoid experiencing them at times in order to continue functioning.
   
Stepping forward and taking action to deal with your problems and meet the demands of daily living, and also stepping back to rest and reenergize yourself. Spending time with loved ones to gain support and encouragement, and also nurturing yourself.
   
Relying on others, and also relying on yourself. Taking care of your body is a powerful first step towards mental and emotional health. The mind and the body are linked. When you improve your physical health, you'll automatically experience greater mental and emotional well-being. For example, exercise not only strengthens our heart and lungs, but also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals that energize us and lift our mood. The activities you engage in and the daily choices you make affect the way you feel physically and emotionally. Get enough rest. To have good mental and emotional health, it's important to take care of your body. That includes getting enough sleep. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night in order to function optimally. Good and balanced nutrition is a must for both physical and mental
health.
   
Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood. Exercise is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression. Look for small ways to add activity to your day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going on a short walk. To get the most mental health benefits, aim for 30 minutes or more of exercise per day.
   
In order to maintain and strengthen your mental and emotional health, it's important to pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Don't let stress and negative emotions build up. Try to maintain a balance between your daily responsibilities and the things you enjoy. If you take care of yourself, you'll be better prepared to deal with challenges if and when they arise. Tips and strategies for taking care of yourself:
   
Appeal to your senses. Stay calm and energized by appealing to the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Listen to music that lifts your mood, place flowers where you will see and smell them, massage your hands and feet, or sip a warm drink. Engage in meaningful, creative work. Do things that challenge your creativity and make you feel productive, whether or not you get paid for it - things like gardening, drawing, writing, playing an instrument, or building something in your workshop.
   
Get a pet. Yes, pets are a responsibility, but caring for one makes you feel needed and loved. There is no love quite as unconditional as the love a pet can give. Animals can also get you out of the house for exercise and expose you to new people and places.  Make leisure time a priority. Do things for no other reason than that it feels good to do them. Go to a funny movie, take a walk on the beach, listen to music, read a good book, or talk to a friend. Doing things just because they are fun is no indulgence. Play is an emotional and mental health necessity. 
   
Make time for contemplation and appreciation. Think about the things you're grateful for. Mediate, pray, enjoy the sunset, or simply take a moment to pay attention to what is good, positive, and beautiful as you go about your day.
   
Supportive relationships are the foundation of emotional health. No matter how much time you devote to improving your mental and emotional health, you will still need the company of others to feel and be your best.
   
Humans are social creatures with emotional needs for relationships and positive connections to others. We're not meant to survive, let alone thrive, in isolation. Our social brains crave companionship-even when experience has made us shy and distrustful of others.
   
Spend time daily, face-to-face, with people you like. Make spending time with people you enjoy a priority. Choose friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members who are upbeat, positive, and interested in you. Take time to inquire about people you meet during the day that you like.