Mental health refers to our “emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience and self-esteem” that serve as the foundation for personal and emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and productive contributions to society. (American Psychiatric Association)
“Emotional balance” is a term that is sometimes used to refer to mental health in general. Or, it may specifically refer to one particular aspect of mental health: how we respond to feelings.
A Wide Range of Emotional States is Healthy
While this section is related to mental health in general, it focuses particularly on concerns and illness.
The perspectives and tools described here are offered as support for specific situations. This should not be interpreted, however, as implying that feelings of sadness, anxiety, existential crisis, grief or depression, for example, are abnormal (or even negative, per se).
A wide range of emotional states reflects a healthy and normal response to life.
To experience feelings without overwhelm or judgment is reflective of emotional balance. (Dan Mager MSW, Psychology Today)
The yogic perspectives shared here are designed to help bring balance when there is imbalance, and a sense of wholeness and integration when there is a feeling of disintegration, alienation or illness.
