Mental Health Wellness Tips

 - [Jon] Hi, I'm Jon, I'm 37 and for most of my adult life, I've struggled with mental illness. The medication I take helps most of the time. But sometimes when I'm stressed or overworked, my symptoms creep up on me and I have to work really hard to get them under control again. But over the years, I've learned a few strategies that have helped me deal with my symptoms before they become a big problem. These tips have really helped me stay healthy and positive. First, I try to focus on the positive things in my life. I think about the family, friends, and treatment team members supporting me in my recovery journey. I know they are there to help me find solutions. If I come up with solutions instead of just focusing on the negatives, I find I feel much better. And each day, I deliberately take time to appreciate and recognize everything I am thankful for. I'll write in my journal, send my friends thank you cards, or help others. When I focus on all the good stuff in my life, I don't spend as much time thinking about the bad stuff. Next, it's really important for me to connect with others. Being around my friends and family always puts me in a better mood and helps my self-esteem. These meaningful relationships help me maintain a positive attitude, which gives me space for personal growth. It's also very important for me to stay physically fit. I try to eat a healthy diet, exercise a little each day, and get enough sleep, as directed by my physician. I always feel great after I work out, even if it's just a walk around the block. One of the hardest things for me was developing coping skills that worked for me. It was tough to learn how to respond in a healthy way to stress, sadness, criticism, and negativity. When I learned what worked for me, I was able to get back to being myself. One way I learned to cope is by writing about my negative experiences, and how they made me feel. I also got professional help when I needed it. I learned to recognize the signs and symptoms that I knew were warning signs that I was not doing so well. And I found it's better to reach out for help sooner rather than later. Asking for help takes courage, and I am so glad I asked my wife to help me find a therapist. My therapist helps me in ways that my friends and family can't. Don't get me wrong, their support is also very important to me. It took me a while to start putting these strategies into play. It didn't happen overnight. I tried them one by one. Some work better for me than others, but everyone's different. So, I take my medication as directed by my doctor, and when I'm feeling extra stressed, I know I have the tools to help me get back on track. Talk with your doctor, try these tips, and find the strategies that work for you.