The following opinions expressed by Scott M. Erickson are his own and do not officially represent the views of the American Counseling Association or the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board. The expression of these opinions does not constitute a real or implied counselor-client relationship.

It is important to understand that there are very real biological, organic, genetic predispositions for our overall mood states and, more uncomfortably, mood disorders.  These predispositions operate outside of our control.  However, taking active and consistent care of our bodies may help us to be less susceptible to challenging emotional experiences and more able to respond to them effectively.  Much of the following comes from Marsha Linehan’s skill of PLEASE from Dialectic Behavior Therapy.

It is essential to treat physical illnesses as they arise.  When day to day sickness confronts us,  remember “The grandma principle”: take care of yourself by doing what your grandma would tell you to do.  This often includes getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of healthy fluids.  For more serious or ongoing medical conditions, it is essential that we closely follow the recommendations of our medical provider(s), including adherence to medication regimen.

Balanced eating and intentionally following a healthy eating plan provides us the energy to respond skillfully to emotional challenges.  In turn, avoiding mood altering substances that can lower resistance to negative emotion will also help create a solid foundation from which to build a healthy emotional life.  Also, it is important to refrain from illicit drugs and ensure our use of alcohol, if any, is within low risk guidelines.

Without adequate rest, it is extremely difficult to build resistance to distressing emotional states.  Balanced sleep is a critical part of ongoing emotional health. It may help to try to get the amount of sleep that helps us feel good, not too much or too little.  In my work with people, it has become apparent that consistently getting less than five or more than twelve hours of sleep a day can lead to emotional vulnerability.

Getting exercise, under the direction of a medical provider, is another important part of building emotional strength.  I have noticed that starting small, building toward about ½ an hour of exercise a day more days than not can strengthen emotional vitality.

Scott M. Erickson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kemmerer who has provided counseling services in southwest Wyoming for the last eleven years. Erickson’s mission is to “be a dynamic catalyst helping you to empower your best self.” He can be reached at his website www.scottthecounselor.com or his Facebook page: Erickson Counseling & Coaching LLC.