Tips on Staying Well

[PositiveLyfe89]

Hello everyone 😃

Just wanted to know what are some little things that you do to stay well and healthy?

Some of the things I do is: eat healthily, exercise and work out, especially in nature, write in a journal and the university newspaper (It's cathartic to me), gratitude jar (where I write things I'm grateful for) and 'Most Important Things' (MIT's)-where I write 3 things I want to accomplish daily to help me feel like I've achieved something that day. I sometimes listen to a meditation video on youtube, it really helps to clear my thoughts. 

So what are some thing you guys do to stay well and take care of yourself??

PositiveLyfe89

[Paul]

Hey PositiveLyfe89. Thanks heaps for sharing your tips. I fear the gratitude jar might become a swear jar for me!

I like to zone out to a good TV series or some quality music. My cat sometimes reminds me that she is always there even though she might be sitting on the floor beside my bed, she'll jump up and give me a nudge as if to say, "Hey human I'm still here" then a get a little wet nose on the cheek. That's a nice feeling.

I shout out on Facebook if I start to feel like I am headed for a pothole and a handful of friends send me encouraging words and thoughts.

I try to keep my self talk neutral. Instead of being quick to judge I become mindful that I am about to judge and then say something nice about whatever was about to happen.

If I am feeling vulnerable I'll bring my future projection back from wherever it might be to perhaps just the next few hours instead of the next week.

Paul

[Simona]

I like to eat clean and green - I love nuts & veg. pan fried salmon or eggs.  I avoid pharma ie - panadols etc.  And i can't meditate but I like watching tutorials and asmr videos on youtube when I have annoying pain or feeling very uptight.   I enjoy spontaneity and listening to my ipod nano when everyone has gone to bed because I can dance for hours and be anywhere and with anyone and that's a natural high.  

I think these things keep me well

[Trish_M]

Hi lats,

thanks for your post and helpful hints. I especially liked that you mentioned "keeping your self talk neutral" and also bringing back your "future projections" to the present.

I wasn't even remotely aware until this year of how my own thinking was sabotaging my well being and mental health. When we've been thinking a certain way for many years, it is not easy to recognise this and be able to make a positive change. I've learnt to challenge my thoughts, sometimes they are correct and sometimes they have a questionable foundation in truth.

A helpful thing that I have learnt is to stop reacting quite so quickly.....I stop and think and breathe before answering or reacting whether I'm on the phone, talking to people face to face or engaging in any type of media, social or otherwise. Another thing is to be aware of my jaw, stomach, arms, etc, I am mindful of how my body is reacting to the current situation. If there is any tension, I ask why and try to relax.

Thanks everyone in this thread for many helpful hints. Thanks for sharing and caring.

Regards, Trish M.

[Paul]

Keep well Trish!

Drop by if you discover any other tips in taming your brain. I could certainly use some more in my quiver. Or, just drop by to say hi.

Paul

[Trish_M]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the positive reinforcement. These forums have been a revelation to me, a simply wonderful resource and source of strength since Feb of this year. I feel that finally I am getting a handle on what ails me.

I have suffered depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, the reasons like most people are complex, varied and confusing. Since 1991, I have been on and off medication many times but it was always, only taken at a point of crisis then I went back to struggling with life and my disease medication free. Having moved a couple of years ago and finding my current GP who was recommended via the Beyond Blue site has been fantastic . Through him, I have found the forums and therefore strength and support and education. Through him I was introduced to a great psychologist and she is helping me to unravel this nightmare through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 

Initially, I was doubtful that my own mind and thought patterns held the key. Slowly though, over time, I have learnt to Identify, examine,challenge and change the way my mind works. It's not always successful, I still fall back into old patterns, I still require vigilance in putting myself first and looking after number one. This for me no longer means being "selfish" in a negative way but rather, valuing myself enough to know deep down that I am just as talented and as flawed as the next person.

Sometimes depressed and anxious people can think about all sorts of things far too much and this will lead to further depression and anxiety. However, there is also value in looking closely at what has worked and not worked, sorting the good from the not so good.

The other thing which has helped me in the last 10 months or so has been the decision to stay with these forums and cling onto any positive vibe, hint or message of support so freely given here. I don't always comment, but I am often reading other people's posts and I've found them to be a wonderful help. I have chosen to cut certain people out of my life, just for now, because they were not supportive of my disease. I make time to keep in touch here because I am important, I do know that now and when I have an "off" day, I have faith that I have the tools to find my way into the light again.

Kindest regards, Trish M.

[Paul]

You're awesome Trish!

Paul