The definition of emotional health is the degree to which a person feels emotionally secure in everyday life. Those who are emotionally healthy possess confidence in their decisions and reactions to life’s situations. They have learned not to judge or criticize themselves too harshly. Instead of avoiding or trying to control their feelings or other people, they are able to handle life’s challenges, build strong relationships and overcome life’s difficulties.

Freshman Nikaela Busekrus said, “I have a good relationship with my parents. We spend a lot of time together through service projects. Although my sister and I argue, I know how to handle and solve the situation.”

Some people are not genuinely emotionally healthy. They appear to be content but in reality, they are not. Pretending to be happy is their way of coping. If one masters a fake smile, surrounds oneself with positive people and learns to laugh on cue, she can easily be mistaken for emotionally healthy.

According to Happiness Studios, some signs that indicate unhappiness are comparing one’s life to those who are less fortunate, talking about how great one’s life is to people who don’t ask, making fun of people who are thought to be inferior, publishing unintelligent “insights about life” on Facebook, becoming obsessed with a certain television show or being constantly on the phone to avoid making contact with anyone real.

Junior Tevanie Loo said, “My day feels better when happy people say ‘hi’ to me in the hallways or start a conversation with me. It’s as if some of their happiness rubs off on me.”

Becoming emotionally healthy is not an impossible task. Physical health is connected to emotional health. Eating and drinking healthy portions keeps the body hydrated and boosts one’s overall well-being. Exercising on a daily basis releases endorphins to energize moods, alleviate stress or anxiety and prevent depression. Allowing oneself to learn new things, to be a positive impact on others and to enjoy life are ways to de-stress and achieve emotional health.

Freshman Keely Nakama said, “I often find myself really happy. I always try to make the best of the situations that occur in my life. I do not like being around people who are sad, but if I am, I always attempt to put a smile on their face.”