Bollywood star Kriti Sanon recently joined cricketer KL Rahul and musician Badshah on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, WTF is with Nikhil Kamath. During the episode, she shared that when she’s emotionally overwhelmed, a gentle touch from someone close can make her tear up. She explained, “If my mood is off, I generally prefer to be alone. If I’m with someone and I want to talk, I might start crying in front of them. And if they yell at me, I will definitely start crying.”

Sanon’s experience underscores an important but often misunderstood aspect of emotional self-care: recognizing and respecting one’s own emotional needs. In a world filled with constant social interactions, knowing when to seek solitude is crucial for maintaining emotional well-being.

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, tells Indian Express, “Emotional self-care is essential for mental health, but balancing this with relationship demands can be challenging.”

Understanding Emotional Self-Care Emotional self-care involves honoring your feelings and taking deliberate actions to protect your emotional health, Cadabam explains. “If you find yourself becoming easily frustrated or overly sensitive, it may indicate that your emotional reserves are low, and you need some self-care.”

Feeling mentally or emotionally drained, unable to handle minor stresses, or experiencing emotional numbness can signal the need to step back and focus on self-care.

Strategies for Emotional Self-Care Allocate specific moments each day for relaxation and reflection. Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or journaling can help restore emotional balance. Cadabam suggests creating a safe space where you can be alone without interruptions, engaging in activities that bring you peace or joy, like reading, art, or simply resting. Activities such as yoga, walking in nature, or cooking can also be beneficial outlets for emotional expression and recharging.

Emotional Self-Care vs. Emotional Avoidance It’s important to distinguish between healthy emotional self-care and emotional avoidance. “Emotional self-care involves addressing your emotional needs and processing your feelings, while emotional avoidance means escaping or suppressing those feelings,” Cadabam says.

Signs of Healthy Emotional Self-Care:

• Reflecting on your feelings and understanding their origins.
• Communicating your needs to others while respecting their emotions.

Signs of Emotional Avoidance:

• Avoiding conversations that may be uncomfortable but are necessary for growth.
• Pushing aside emotions, hoping they will disappear on their own.

Balancing Solitude with Healthy Relationships Finding a balance between solitude and maintaining strong relationships requires thoughtful communication. Cadabam advises, “Regularly communicate your need for alone time to your partner or loved ones. Keeping them informed helps prevent feelings of neglect or confusion.”

Focus on quality interactions rather than the quantity. While solitude is vital, human connection is also important. Schedule regular social activities, such as weekly coffee dates with friends or dedicated family time, to maintain those connections while respecting your need for solitude.