If we look at emotional health using a cup analogy, we can begin to target ways to improve our emotional wellness. As a cup, we have a very limited amount of space for our emotions. If we reach capacity, things overflow and if your cup is filled with negative emotions, what will flow out will also be negative and will have damaging impacts on your total wellness.

Likewise, if you fill your cup with positive emotions, what flows over will also be positive. Things happen throughout each day that add negative emotions to our cups – disappointments, frustration, loss, grief, stress – and things happen that pour positivity into our cups – joy, love, faith, encouragement, people. The key is to be aware of the things that are currently filling your cup – your levels – and to always know what will keep it filled with positivity. It’s hard to reach out for positivity when you hit a rough patch. Sometimes the darkness holds you there or you drown in the negative flood overflowing the brim of your cup. We need to have a plan for the day when our cups are overflowing with yuck.

Take some time today to make a list of 12 things that “fill your cup with positivity”. Maybe it’s time in a special place, a phone call with a trusted friend, baking, crafting, massage, a relaxing bath, a scenic ride or a run. Keep the list handy so that when your cup is filled or overflowing with negative emotions, you have easy access to ideas that have been proven to help turn things around.