What are your ideas for staying psychologically healthy?

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I'm sure a lot of people here have the same problem I do; always working to keep depression (or anxiety) at bay. Lets face it, the world is in a rather unhealthy state right now, society is becoming shallow and trains us to seek indulgent gratification for satisfaction. Of course this only leads to more suffering, more misery. It rattles us out of our state of homeostasis. There are many other factors to be had of course, including simple neurochemical imbalance (though there are many causes we are, and were, unaware of; such as eating gluten, recalled medicaitons, etc).

But anywhoo, how do you counter this to stay in a balanced, healthy, possitive state of mind? Sure smoking weed may help for many, but for lots of us that really isn't enough. One answer seldom is. Some things I've been doing recently to keep possitive and on-track:

- Running and working out. Regular excercise really is essential to keep your body and mind thriving, rather than withering.

- I meditate daily now. It doesn't eliminate the deep down psychological issues, but it clarifies them, unknots the thoughts that are getting so tangled in a web of worry that you don't know how to approach problems; trapped in circular, repetetive thinking. By meditating my brain is refreshed, like running a defrag to order the thoughts.

- Practicing Qigong really helps energize, focus, and make me feel better when I'm depressed in a groggy way.

- I eat plenty of fruit every day, particularily fruit smoothies as of late since they're easy and quick to make and give you an energy/nutrition bomb. Helps with digestion quite a bit too. But of course don't forget the other food groups to maintain the balance.

- Listening to some good music is at least a nice distraction; don't know how much it really helps though. Nice to have a break once in a while anyway.

- I try to make sure my breathing is deep and slow as it promotes a calm and clear mind, and a well-oxygenated body and brain.

- Meditating before bed really helps me get a better sleep, and sleep is essential to a healthy state of mind.

- And, if it's raining I find it really therapeutic to just sit outside on the porch and listen to the rain.

So how about you?

Gandalf_The_Grey Reviewed by Gandalf_The_Grey on 11-18-2007. What are your ideas for staying psychologically healthy? I'm sure a lot of people here have the same problem I do; always working to keep depression (or anxiety) at bay. Lets face it, the world is in a rather unhealthy state right now, society is becoming shallow and trains us to seek indulgent gratification for satisfaction. Of course this only leads to more suffering, more misery. It rattles us out of our state of homeostasis. There are many other factors to be had of course, including simple neurochemical imbalance (though there are many causes we Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

I agree with the physical stuff....try to get out in the air for a couple of hours every day and I think it makes a big difference.

Keeping in touch with people REALLY helps keep me focused and out of the isolation frame of mind.....which is VERY easy for someone like me to do. It definitely helps remind me that's there a LOT in the big world to see, learn, and do. I'll tend to close down mentally from things when I'm feeling depressed.

My husband and animals are probably the biggest things that help me feel both needed and loved.....both VERY necessary to me imo.

Animals have ALWAYS done it for me.....they REALLY remind me know that it's not all about me.

And....here is the REAL toughie......to judge myself fairly. To know when to give myself a break....and to know when to slap my ass and start acting like an adult. Seems to me I get these two wrong more than anything else I do. This one is DEFINITELY my hardest.

[Purple Banana]

If I'm having a bad day, I get outside, play guitar, swim, take a shower, or simply try to surround myself with positive things. Driving or hiking for long periods of time is also very nice.

[VoidLivesOn]

Well since I have a very fast matabolism I eat as much as I want. haha my mom and g/f say "Just cause your skinny doesn't mean your healthy", and i just reply "your just jealous" and continue to stuff my face. i love to eat.

ummm I beat the shit out of my drumset everyday, I think that relieves lots of stress.

Skating and being with my friends every single day is always fun.

and music and movies

[tootsie roll]

I agree with the physical stuff....try to get out in the air for a couple of hours every day and I think it makes a big difference.

Keeping in touch with people REALLY helps keep me focused and out of the isolation frame of mind.....which is VERY easy for someone like me to do. It definitely helps remind me that's there a LOT in the big world to see, learn, and do. I'll tend to close down mentally from things when I'm feeling depressed.

My husband and animals are probably the biggest things that help me feel both needed and loved.....both VERY necessary to me imo.

Animals have ALWAYS done it for me.....they REALLY remind me know that it's not all about me.

And....here is the REAL toughie......to judge myself fairly. To know when to give myself a break....and to know when to slap my ass and start acting like an adult. Seems to me I get these two wrong more than anything else I do. This one is DEFINITELY my hardest.

My twin in thought! (at least on this so far.. )

I used to work out 5-7 days a week before my injury and it was the bomb! I was so addicted to the high I got. I miss it.

The meditation mentioned by Gandolf sounds like maybe something I could/should give a try.

I need to eat healithier. I don't eat bad food, well, not take out junk but I do indulge in my sweets and fruits and that's just about all I eat lately. I think it's the loss of summer and the fact that it's so dark so early now. I really hate it.

As for acting like an adul, what's that like? lol
I really have to kick my butt also.t

[CanaDanKs Inc.]

Honestly...I think being aware of what you think about is the key
and spotting the thoughts that bring you down
and eleminating them from your mind

:jointsmile:

[burnable]

keeping a journal is helpful. it is therapeutic to vent negative emotions into a journal and gives you perspective when you read it again. also It gives you a feeling of posterity and immortality if you think that someone in the future might read what you wrote and possibly apply it to themselves. If nothing else, it feels cathartic to get thoughts down in an official way, on paper, in a complete and descriptive manner, and tends to put problems into perspective.

Master the skill of moderation. I don't think it's ever good to absolutely deny yourself something you enjoy, but it's worse to overindulge. Appreciating everything in life in small amounts promotes inner contentment and helps you relate to others because you're aware of what they enjoy firsthand.

[Spoken Word]

I know some people that take medicine for depression and such. Since I love to help people I have agreements with all of them to call me whenever they are feeling down. I'm so grateful to have never felt "depressed". I mean, I feel sad sometimes but I can control it.

and i've been thinking, there really isn't anything I can "list" since I don't know how bad depression can get. but I will say this, try to focus on good times. and if you feel THAT bad, remember, you are alive. some would say they don't care but wether we like it or not, we are living so we should make the best of it.

i know it really doesn't help but i just try to take in each moment for what it's worth.

like for example, im driving to work. my radio's broke...im late..an asshole just cut me off...i have no weed...BUT....the weather is beautiful and I focus on the fact that most people would LOVE to take a drive in miami and here i am, on I95, driving...
did that make any sense???

i really can't imagine a place where there is NOTHING you can think of to console you. think positive, reflect, and just try to smile.
bad times pass, remember that.

[Weedhound]

Thats the thing about depression.....you can't see the sky, you can't see the future, you can't see anything. All you can do is drag your fatigued, numb, self-hating and guilty feeling butt out of bed and wonder how you'll get the energy for another day.

Depression robs you of your ability to do the things that keep you balanced. Imagine your day again Spoken Word....except without any ability to process any happiness or good feeling. Imagine that all the things you love suddenly become no more than another job that you don''t have the energy to shoulder. No reward. Just the work....and endless exhaustion.

I remember starting on Prozac.....I had been sober for almost exactly one year. I thought about committing suicide and drinking again (an immediate death sentence for me).....ANYTHING, ANTHING to stop feeling so TIRED ALL the time. WHATEVER it took....anything for some peace.

I CLEARLY remember what the doctor who prescribed the medication said to me as he handed me the prescription. (at the time I absolutely ZERO faith that ANY medicine would work) "If this medicine works for you then you'll be able to see that there really IS a point to life."

And I did. I liken it to a blind man suddenly being able to see. THAT's how much that medication did for me.....in the space of a week. That ALONE told me my problems were much more than "being weak". And that realization alone helped me tremendously as well.

I'm afraid I'm not one who buys into "its all in your mind" and "just think positive and it will be positive" I'm afraid I've had WAY too much proof otherwise in my experiences both being chronicially depressed AND as a 100% alcoholic. I wasted YEARS and ENDLESS amounts of energy berating myself for "being weak" and "not having what it takes." And that view kept me sicker than hell for a LONG LONG time. To this DAY I get angry at people telling others ANY such information because you know for a fact that people with those beliefs have never dealt with the problem themselves.

Sorry for the rant.....but thanks for letting me post. It helped...(me)

[TresLeches]

It's always good to do something nice for someone else when you are feeling down. Assuming you aren't so depressed that it is debilitating.