You know that person whose life is always together... who never gets upset and has perfect balance and harmony every day? Neither do I. None of us has an idealistic life or is in absolute sync with the world and when we strive for perfection, we set ourselves up for failure. It has been said so often it is almost cliche - make your New Year's resolution to lose some weight and get in better physical condition. But what about our emotional condition? We rarely take time to focus on that. 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 issues. Mental and emotional health involves the ability to cope with and adjust to the continual stresses of everyday living, maintaining friendships, feeling content and confident, and having a balance between work and play.

Everyone experiences loss, sadness and difficulties. These are normal aspects of life. The difference is that people with good emotional health have an ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma, and stress. People who are emotionally fit have learned to cope with difficult situations and maintain a positive outlook. They remain in control, determined, adaptable and creative in bad times as well as good.

However, there are situations when it becomes difficult to be resilient, especially when faced with a traumatic experience or loss. During these tough economic times, many people are confronting the new challenges of job loss or financial problems. Cydney Savage, LPC, Director, AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, says she sees more people seeking help due to these circumstances. They are trying to cope with some of the most common emotional issues we face today - anxiety, depression, even anger. Savage says the good news is that no one is alone. Help is available in many areas, from professional counselors, to friends and clergy. All you have to do is ask. In addition, there are other steps you can take to improve your emotional well-being. Although we are pulled in so many directions, it is imperative that we take care of ourselves first, according to Savage. She compares it to the safety instructions we receive before a flight on an airplane. In case of emergency, we are always told to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before our loved ones since they are depending on us to help them. It is the same in everyday life. We have to stay emotionally fit for the people who depend on us.

Start with your physical health. Taking care of your body is an important element in mental and emotional health. The connection between mind and body is undeniable, and when you improve your physical health, you feel a greater sense of overall well-being. The activities you engage in and the daily choices you make affect the way you feel physically and emotionally.

Here are a few basics that most of us know, yet don't always follow. Get enough rest. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night in order to function optimally. Focus on good nutrition and improve your eating habits. What you eat affects your energy and mood, so the better you eat, the better you feel. Get some physical activity. Exercise releases the feel-good hormones known as endorphins. It is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression, so look for small ways to add activity to your day. To get the most mental health benefits, aim for 30 minutes or more of exercise per day. Of course, maintaining good physical health means we should limit alcohol and avoid cigarettes and other drugs. We are in midst of the darkest, coldest part of our year, and for many people, that triggers normal feelings of sadness. Savage advises getting a dose of sunlight every day or investing in a light box. Sunlight lifts your mood, so try to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun per day.

Savage offers some other advice on maintaining emotional health. First of all, she says, don't make resolutions. We all know the old story with resolutions. They are usually very lofty goals and the majority of people don't follow through, which makes them feel like a failure. As an alternative, set realistic intentions. Write a list of what you intend to do better this year, focusing on all aspects of your life such as emotional, spiritual, financial, health and education. Instead of a resolution in which you say "I want to lose 20 pounds by February," say that you "intend to eat healthier meals and walk when you can". Savage says it's also important to surround yourself with friends and stay connected. Call an old friend, join an organization, become a part of a group. In addition, maintain a sense of balance. Life cannot be all about work and obligations. Take some time to do something you enjoy and plan a fun event for each month. It is always easier to get through each day when we have something to look forward to. It could be as simple as going to a movie with your spouse or planning a picnic on the first warm Sunday of the year. Another great step in improving our outlook is to help others. Volunteering and taking time to give to others is one of the best ways to help ourselves. Finally, take stock in each day. Reflect on how you lived that day and if you could you have done anything differently. Appreciate the wonderful blessings in your life and make changes in areas you need to improve. Ask yourself, "Did I live this day the way I wanted to?" and "How could I have made better choices?" Savage calls it "living life intentionally". Don't just go through the motions, but live with purpose, goals and direction. Be aware of the world and others around you and live a balanced life. There will always be problems, there will always be hurdles, but having good emotional fitness means we are equipped to handle them.

Robin Stoloff has been the Health Reporter for NBC 40 since 1986. Her award-winning series, "Health Update", is the longest-running health feature in New Jersey. Robin also hosts "Prescription Health" live on NBC 40 News at 6pm on Wednesdays and fitness segments for the "Health Today" program which airs on weekends. A fitness instructor and health advocate, Robin produced her own workout video on the beaches of Atlantic City. Her personal and professional mission is to "empower others with health information and encourage them to take positive actions towards healthier, longer and more fulfilled lives". You can see Robin's health features on the health page of nbc40.net.

AtlantiCare Behavioral Health offers Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Services which include: Individual counseling Psychiatric evaluations and medication management in conjunction with counseling Specialized psychological evaluations Group counseling Employee Assistance Program services Addiction recovery services which include, Relapse Prevention, Early Intervention and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Compulsive Gambling treatment You can contact them at www.atlanticare.org or call the AtlantiCare Access Number at 1-888-569-1000.