51–60 of 95 posts
Get out and workout in nature.
Meditation daily with Calm.
Reading some history books.
I eat healthy and simple food(potatoes, rice, soup, banana).
I plan instead of reacting.
Less materialistic and more spiritual.
Always thinking and finding the cause of my depression and getting rid of it.
Until now, everything seems to be ok.
Maintaining mental health with meditation drags every other aspect of myself into the same basket, I stop eating meat and eat lots of vegetables and fruit, I drink only water and don't consume anything processed, sweats etc. and I exercise 7 days a week.
Then I get better, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally and I feel like nothing can beat me. Then I skip a day of meditation, then two days and before you know it I'm eating burgers from McDonald's and skipping exercise, drinking Red Bulls and smoking. Then I'll have anxiety/panic attacks before bed, insomnia, depression and after struggling with myself for a year I'd change my lifestyle again.
But then I get well again and forget about the struggle and the cycle repeats. It's a living hell.
Although I guess the above is more of an answer to "How do you manage your mental illness?" vs "How do you manage your mental health?"
I eat well - zero carbs, normally only two meals per day, at least Sunday through Friday. It might just seem disconnected from mental health, but it creates discipline and focus in day-to-day life. I cut coffee out of my diet last year, but I've been having it in moderation this year.
I prioritize my lifestyle above my work. I decided to travel full-time a year ago, and I'm making my company match my needs.
Lately, I've been decreasing how much I work on the weekends. I take at least one day off per week without answering emails or talking about work.
Mental health is an issue I live with on a day-to-day basis. I struggled for the first 42 years of my life, always finding it difficult. I experienced great short term successes but they never lasted. Finally, two years ago, after losing my wife and family, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (Type 1) and began treatment. These days I take regular medication, speak with a psychiatrist monthly and a psychologist eve…
1. I'm in a happy marriage to my best friend. 2. I play with my kids, read to them, spend time with them, etc. 3. I workout ever day. 4. I enjoy my job and my coworkers. I have a great boss. 5. I go to church each week and have a community of friends there. 6. I get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 7. I eat well. I almost never go out to eat but mainly eat homemade meals. 8. I have many hobbies: woodworking, remodeling…
I restarted doing a martial art about the same time, which gave me regular socialization, exercise, and something to get good at that wasn’t coupled to my career / work identity. It was kind of a package deal.
I am not religious, though I’m familiar with church from childhood. I’m reminded that there are some practical downsides of not being religious. In some ways, martial art is my secular church.
Humans, even introverts like myself need some level of socialization to stay healthy. I’d advise anyone to find their “church” even if it’s not religious or spiritual. Some characteristics that I think make for good groups:
- Things happen at specific times. You don't have to plan something unless you want to. If you don’t show up, someone wonders where you are and maybe asks about you.
- Everyone isn’t like you. You interact with people who work different jobs, make different money, come from different cultures, and are of a different generation.
- It’s a regular place that can become familiar, and that you have some interest in its care
- The unifying task isn’t too utilitarian. It’s good to have something that improves you, but isn’t itself that important.
I think as a society we’ve lost the notion of personal social health in favor of a completely individualistic notion of mental health. My suspicion is that many of our mental health issues are the result of / are exacerbated by bad social health.
I am not the someone who is 100% following it but I try my best to follow these: - Morning walk. - Be thankful for what you have. It will help you get out of rat race. - If you follow a religion then get in habit of praying and shift the credit of your achievements towards God and remain humble. - Give charity as much as you can and look towards the people who are less fortunate than you. - Help others. - If you don'…
I'd be a bit cautious recommending this. Sometimes kids are born out of "trying to make something work" or otherwise using the pregnancy as a fix. 2 of my children were brought into the world this way and I can tell you it didn't help me manage my mental health at all.
Just my .02, only the OP knows if this would really be a good idea for them.
Disappointed to see that "See a doctor or mental health professional" has not yet been mentioned. So I'll recommend that. My anxiety had started manifesting physically as panic attacks. After verifying my situation wasn't an emergency, he said my diagnosis was a no-brainer and prescribed Sertraline. It's helped a lot, and I've had no ill side-effects. Please, please see a doctor or mental health professional if you s…