5 Subtle Signs Someone Isn’t Taking Proper Emotional Care Of Themselves, According To Experts
These behaviors pop up when someone is neglecting their emotional well-being.
dimaberlinphotos | Canva Prevention is the best medicine. Research recommends that to prevent neglecting your emotional well-being, prioritize self-care by focusing on your basic needs, engaging in activities that bring you joy, and practicing mindfulness.
The calendar fills, gaps in the schedule grow tighter, obligations begin to overwhelm, and you are on a one-way journey to a burnout breakdown from too much of everything all of the time. The signs of not caring for your emotional well-being can appear insignificant until you are already heading down an unhealthy path.
Here are five subtle signs someone isn’t taking proper emotional care of themselves, according to experts:
1. They prioritize everyone else's needs above their own
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Whether they're a mom, take care of people at home or in their professional life, or struggle with self-esteem issues, they might prioritize everyone else's needs above their own. Everyone needs "me-time" to relax and nurture their inner spirit. Humans are emotional creatures.
Simple pleasures — hobbies, a long bath, reading a book, sitting outside — lower our emotional stress. So stop neglecting your inner life and learn to make room for small escapes into joyful pursuits.
— Dr. Gloria Brame, Ph.D., Therapist
2. They're stressed by little things
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A small sign that you might not be taking good emotional care of yourself is reacting strongly to minor stressors or situations that wouldn't typically bother you. For example, getting triggered by an email or feeling disproportionately upset over a minor inconvenience could signal that your emotional well-being needs attention.
Strategies such as practicing mindfulness, writing in a gratitude journal, exercising, finding an outlet for your stress, or talking to a trusted friend or professional could help you to feel calmer, manage your emotions, and respond rather than react to stressors. By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can better support your emotional health and build resilience in the face of challenges, big or small.
— Lisa Petsinis, Career and Life Coach
3. Their friends and loved ones pull away from them
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They haven't seen their friends in weeks, and their family won't return their calls.
— Lianne Avila, MA, MFT, Expert, Counselor/Therapist
A 2024 study explained that a common symptom of depression is social withdrawal, where individuals may distance themselves from friends and loved ones due to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and lack of energy. This perceived emotional unavailability refers to a pattern where individuals struggle to form healthy, reciprocal relationships, often due to past trauma, attachment issues, or difficulty regulating their emotions.
4. They can’t remember the last time they took a break
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All they do is work, come home, and repeat.
— Lianne Avila, MA, MFT - Expert, Counselor/Therapist
Research suggests that workaholism could indicate a pattern of prioritizing others' needs over your own, emotional neglect, or even more serious issues. It's essential to recognize such patterns and seek professional assistance if necessary.
5. They experience disrupted sleep
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When people are feeling the least bit stressed, it is common for their sleep to reflect any tension in their waking lives. Perhaps they may dream more vividly, not at all, or wake up more frequently.
Sometimes a person can wake up early in the morning and have difficulty falling asleep. When this occurs more than two nights in a row, it's worth looking into what may be irritating or concerning you.
During the day, you may be busy, so these annoyances or worries are cloaked by activity. So, they emerge when your body slows down to rest.
Taking some time during the day to pause, take a walk, or quietly drink a cup of coffee for even ten minutes might help restore a sense of ease and balance.
— Sharon Saline, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Consultant
Emotional self-care can be like an extreme sport or preparing for running a marathon. You need downtime to let your body rebuild better.
Emotional well-being depends on making the time to relax, reset, and recharge. Otherwise, you end up feeling depleted and injured. Over time, the tiny impacts on the nervous system from unattended emotional self-care can add up until unmanaged stress impacts how your physical body functions.
Remember, stress is not negative. How you handle the stress can be. One of the best ways to healthily manage stress is to make emotional well-being a routine.
Will Curtis is a creator, editor, and activist who has spent the last decade working remotely.
