I have always been involved with lifting weights (4 times a week) and running 10km twice a week. This is pretty intense, I know, but I gravitate to it based on burning cortisol from anxiety and the calming effect it has afterwards. It didn’t stop a full blown two week anxiety episode six months ago but I added therapy and keeping a journal. This helps focus me but nothing is a cure..it’s just a lifestyle to find temporary balance.
Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
41–50 of 138 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#42My teenage daughter and I talk a lot about mental hygiene. We compare it to dental hygiene: you do stuff everyday to reduce the need to see a dentist and improve your experience when you do. The big things on the mental hygiene list are: - Morning pages - https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/ - walking - intense exercise - keeping a daily/weekly/monthly planner - cooking good food that you like - ea…
Yes! This is the exact analogy that I use. Writing in a diary, even if it's a one liner, helps me to "floss away" the things that are on my mind.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#43I'm currently struggling with parenting an 18 month old child as an introvert. As a 50 year old first-time parent who had the benefit of lots of quiet alone time for literally decades, and possibly got a bit too used to it. :/ My sanity is eroding and I hit a wall every day. I also found that I don't have time anymore to keep up with technological developments like I used to, which is unfortunately eroding my value a…
My partner and I recently had our second child. The biggest difference we noticed is related to our better acceptance of that child’s needs. With the first one, we always tried to look for signs of autonomy, much too early. Everything is more peaceful when we accept to let go. I’m not fixing things in the house. Every thing I give up is a liberation. Being a father more or less makes up for the self image forced and embraced update.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#44What worked for me recently is writing the journal entry of tomorrow, today. Not sure who invented this, but it worked. It helps the mind stop running negative scenarios. It’s similar I assume to the power of written goals, just a different flavor. The more specific and realistic it is the better. Writing “today I earned a million dollars” is less powerful than “today I showed up and was a little more focused than yesterday, I listened more, and was less distracted than yesterday”.
It helps you live in the moment, less worried, less auto pilot mode, helps you stop automatic behavior (getting upset / thinking negatively), this alone helps get better results in a non-supernatural way, hence increasing the minds faith in next day’s off by one journal entry.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#45Meditation; checking in with myself; drink lots of water; focus on personal development; self-debriefs via voice memo; physical fitness; yoga; self-expression, communication and assertiveness; good diet; avoiding too many toxins: alcohol/caffeine/tobacco/processed foods; do stuff I like; always find a way; win from any position; focus on choices and responsibility not playing the fake-victim; celebrate wins, enjoy mo…
> self-debriefs via voice memo
Can you go into a bit more detail about this? It's not something I've heard of yet.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#46Surprised no one is saying... I don't.
Why don't you? Is it something you'd like to do or think could be helpful/valuable?
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#47There are many things one can do, while I don’t manage mental health, I find exercise to be extremely helpful in maintaining an even temperament. Even if if it is just a daily walk. I also find engaging in hobbies, sports, music etc brings balance to an otherwise crazy routine.
However, I believe, the ultimate answer to mental health is about turning inwards and understanding who you are. Being able to differentiate between what the mind is creating for you and your real self. Understanding all things worldly are utter nonsense, be it relationships or friendships or religion, and then accepting them for what they are.
It is simple, but hard to do for most. Teachings from Osho may help get started. There is also a book called ‘Direct Truth’ that may help get started on this journey.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#48I'm lucky that I probably don't have any serious disorders. For me, the usual stuff like exercise and diet. Reading physical books, often fiction. Besides that...
1. Some of my hobbies are like my work, but as hobbies, I get to do them on my own terms and timeline. And they're a way for me to divert my inevitable "screen time" away from doomscrolling.
2. One of my hobbies -- jazz musician -- is as unlike my regular work as you can imagine. This includes a completely different cast of characters, who come from all walks of life. Most are not techies.
3. I try to take charge of my physical surroundings, e.g., tidying, fixing things, making minor home improvements. I've even done touch-ups and minor repairs when I've been a renter. It also provides some hobby-like satisfaction, and occupies my hands.
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#49Meditation; checking in with myself; drink lots of water; focus on personal development; self-debriefs via voice memo; physical fitness; yoga; self-expression, communication and assertiveness; good diet; avoiding too many toxins: alcohol/caffeine/tobacco/processed foods; do stuff I like; always find a way; win from any position; focus on choices and responsibility not playing the fake-victim; celebrate wins, enjoy mo…
I'm interested to know a bit more about your self-debriefs. What is the format? Are you reflecting back on specific events, or is this a daily practice?
Re: Ask HN: How do you work on your mental health?
#50My mental health problems are chronic, can get worse rapidly, and so far, nothing but escapism seems to fill me up in life, especially when I compare my life with that of others at my own age. I have given up on hope many times over, today I saw a self-text from 5 years ago of me questioning if I would ever make it, and so far, I have not. I have seen a psychologist for many years, a psychiatrist, and have asked peop…
Some people have it much worse than others, and it sounds like you have it bad. You're still a person and worthy of love and capable of change. There's no magic bullet, but you can't predict the future. Keep working at it, brother.