Wellness
Ideas for Maintaining Wellness | Wellness Information Links
Feeling well is a great feeling, particularly if you have felt unwell for a while.
When you are feeling well, it can be easy (and nice) to forget about your mental health problems.
But it is important, even when you are well, to do things to maintain your mental health to avoid feeling unwell as much as possible as this will assist to prevent further episodes of mental health distress.
The following ideas are about how you might maintain your wellness and some related links to get you started.
Ideas for Maintaining Wellness
Physical Activity
Around 30 minutes a day of physical exercise releases chemicals in the brain which reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety in many people. This exercise does need to be physically exerting (that is, you get your heart pumping), but it does not need to be very demanding or painful.
Massage and Relaxation
Any form of relaxation helps to reduce your physical and mental stress levels. This places you in a better position to handle stressors when they occur. Some people like structured relaxation techniques (for example, breathing or meditation processes), but relaxation can also include things like spending time in nature, yoga, massage, stretching, and even quiet time listening to music you enjoy or reading a book. The key is to ensure it is a regular part of your life.
Nutrition
Keeping yourself as physically healthy as possible can have positive effects on your mental health. There is also some evidence that particular foods (for example, oily fish like tuna and sardines) may help with the management of depression.
Connecting with Others
Research has shown that one of the biggest links to psychological wellness is our social connectedness. Building social connections will enable you to interact with people of similar interests as well as give you something to look forward to. There are many ways to do this, for example:
- Join a local sporting or social club
- Visit libraries, museums and galleries
- Participate in local church or community centre activities
- Learn something new and interesting in a classroom setting
- Join a support group or association
- Participate in mental health or personal development programs
It can be difficult to connect with others, particularly when you aren't feeling at your best. You can start by just being around other people - go to places where other people gather and just people watch, or say hello to the person in the coffee shop, or start a course in a topic you enjoy (eg. photography or computer skills) where the emphasis is on learning about the topic not on talking to others as these situations can encourage relaxed conversation.
Reduce Alcohol and Smoking
Although alcohol and nicotine seem to make you feel better when you are using them, they actually have very negative effects on your mental health. Keep your use down to a minimum or stop using them if it is at all possible.
Regular Medication
If you have been prescribed medication, it is essential that you keep taking it until your GP changes your prescription, even when you are feeling better. Medication can keep your mood stable and make it easy for you to handle any hiccups along the way. If you would like to reduce your medication, make sure you see your GP or Psychiatrist to talk about the best way to do this.
Regular Contact with your Health Practitioners
It can be very helpful to have someone else monitoring your mental health as signs and symptoms of illness can easily be missed and an extra pair of eyes and ears can pick any problems up early before they become big problems. Keep in regular contact with your GP, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or other health professional and let them know if you have any problems.
Alternative Treatments - Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture etc.
Many alternative treatments provide great relief to people with mental health problems. It is definitely worth investigating further - see the link below for the SANE Guide on Complementary Medicine for a start. Make sure you discuss your needs with a qualified professional and be aware that some alternative remedies can affect your prescribed medication.
Monitor your own Mental Health
With any ongoing illness, physical or mental, you are the centre piece of the picture - you know when things just aren't right, you know what your body and mind can handle and you know when you need help. Make monitoring your mental health a core part of your daily life. Be aware of extra stressors that are upon you and the impact they may have, and take appropriate action to prevent your health deteriorating. It's called self-management and it is exactly that - managing yourself.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!
The diagnosis of any health problems can help you get your priorities right. Focus on what is really important and just get by with the rest. Life is not always easy, but keep focused on the really important things, and don't sweat the small stuff!
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Links to Wellness Information
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