What do you do to maintain or improve your mental health?

I volunteer in the community in different capacities. For my brothers and sisters in arms, I volunteer at the local VA and will be at the Wall this week In Great Bend helping families and friends look for their loved ones and those who are still missing. I commit and I don’t quit. I work with the homeless, the grieving, the arts and always have Facebook messenger for chats. Sometimes we theoretically solve the worlds problems or just “listen”: I recently joined a community within my community which is heavily populated with active and retired. I began. “butterflies are Free” for those who are in need of hope and s bright spot. I volunteered with Convoy of Hope, Church on the Street, the Botanical Gardens Shower Up, sang in the nursing homes.. I also utilize the services of my VA especially for MST and PTSD. If I keep moving, I don’t have to feel but someone benefits,

I have found that the best way to help my mental health is to stop worrying about me and help someone else. Whether it is helping their mental health, solving problems, or just grabbing the other end of a sofa they are trying to move. Helping others keeps me going.

Laugh if you want to, but I’ve taken up birdwatching and it the best thing ever for my mental health. Being in nature alone with no distractions or any particular schedule is walking meditation. Looking and listening for birds keeps my mind engaged just enough to keep things interesting, plus there is a thrill when you see a new bird! It is a cheap and easy hobby that can be done anywhere, anytime and I can’t recommend it enough!

I have focused on my empathy with our future generations. I have been fostering children for over 50 years, and have adopted a philosiphy whereby you are so focused on them you realize your pourpose.

Right now I am not in very good shape due to post Covid-19 problems. Chronic Kidney Disease stage 4, severely Chronic lung scarring, Fibromyalgia, and a host of other ailments from being in a coma for 27 days and my body shutting down. As you can guess my mental health gets tasked quite often. This my sound hokey to some but what I do to beat depression when it comes on is to use meditation (or controlled day dreaming) to pick me up. The focus of that meditation is playing over and over the best time in my life ... serving on board an FBM submarine during the cold War. The danger, risk and reward of those experiences soothe my mind and keeps me focused. Knowing that I served my country even though know one knows is my calming drug. The good times and the bad makes me think I made a difference in this world. My future white cross in Fort Logan Cemetary and subsequent wiping my existence from this world doesn't phase me. "I " know I made a difference.

One aspect I prioritize is daily mindfulness meditation. I take even just a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focus on my breathing, and observe my thoughts. For this, I use the app Calmer. It has guided meditation and breathing exercises that make it easier for me to concentrate than doing it by myself. Here's the link to it, in case someone might need such a tool: https://gocalmer.com/.

Another important component of my mental health regimen is regular physical activity. Going for a jog, practicing yoga, and simply walking outdoors are my favorites.

Also, I make an effort to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This means setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and knowing when to disconnect from work responsibilities to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.

Thanks for sharing

From my personal perspective, taking care of my mental health is one of the best things I can do for myself. I find joy in practicing mindfulness, whether it's through meditation or yoga. These practices help me to feel more centered, peaceful, and in touch with my inner self. Additionally, eating a balanced and nutritious diet makes me feel more energized, focused, and happy.

I also prioritize getting enough sleep each night, which helps me to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Connecting with friends and family, as well as seeking support from a therapist when I need it, has also been incredibly rewarding. I feel grateful for the strong social support network that I have, and I cherish the moments I spend with loved ones. By making these practices a regular part of my life, I've been able to experience many positive changes in my mental health, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and greater resilience.

In addition to taking meds prescribed by the VA, I stay active at my church, being involved in the church choir and Celebrate Recovery. I am also a member of the local American Legion post.