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

I have found that thru Mindfulness and Guided Meditation practices before and during Yoga, I can find inner peace and Spiritual strength. This allows me to be a better friend, son, father, brother, and uncle.

I retired as a research psychologist while in the government and am also a licensed mental health counselor. Using my research skills, I consult with and participate by writing research proposals to the VA on issues related to preventing suicide among our veterans and active-duty military. As a counselor, I have taught aspiring counseling students at the graduate level, most of whom were veterans. Many have gone on to become licensed and now work either directly for the VA or have a large veteran clientele. I come from a rich family heritage of military service in every branch. We have and continue to serve our fellow veterans and active-duty in any way we can. Though we may have and still do struggle with our own mental health issues, our lives are enriched know that we belong to a "band of brothers and sisters," that can never be left behind. It is a bond that never can be broken. Helping them, helps ourselves.

I go to therapy regularly and check in with myself daily. Exercise has been a great tool for me. I like to lift and go on long walks with my dogs.

I enjoy being with family, they are my rock. I also garden, vegetable and flower gardens. I plant enough food for not just my family but to give to my neighbors in the neighborhood.

There are many small things I do and teach my kids to do that improve and maintain mental health. It range from mindfulness throughout the day for others and for myself, mini meditations to re-fresh my brain (meditation helps train the mind from wandering/ ADHD habits and reduces sensory overload). Meditation also literally helps to heal your mitochondria, improving mood and energy.

Aiming for quality relationships and purposely appreciating the little things that bring joy to life. Making a positive change in my community through small acts of kindness and always looking for ways to spend my time that inspire me/ make me feel "on purpose."

FOOD, sleep and movement are the foundation for supporting mental health! I'm a certified health coach. Food, sleep and movement affects our micro-biome. Everything we expose our body to is information. That information can support us or be supportive. Food is information. What we feed those billions of micro-organisms determines which nutrients are available to us, which has a domino effect on our cellular ability to convert food to energy/ metabolism, hormone production (mood), provides the necessary components to repair damaged tissue, and more. Where our food is grown/ the micro-biome of the dirt impacts the nutrient density of the food grown in it.

We give thanks for the food we eat and eat it free of distractions. When my kids and I eat gratefully and grounded, the food nourishes us fully...mentally, emotionally and physically.

I like to walk in the woods and reconnect with nature. Wehn I'm out and about all my problems just fade away. I know that sound cliche' but it is 100% true.
It also helps to take my camera and take lots of photos. then I can download them to my computer so when I get stressed at work, I can pull them up and remember the amazing things I saw on my hikes

I believe mental health come from a good life balance of work, home, food, friends and activities. The challenge is in how we react to what happens in our lives, that is what effects our peace of mind. I always ask myself how important is it? Thus, what to give my time and attention. The answer to this question directs my power to the important things, and allows me to let go of the not so important things.

To maintain my mental health I do the following: stay physically active (golf, walking, gym, exercise at home). I also try to play games on the computer that make you think (various solitary games). I'm not afraid to try new things (VA cooking class, learning to use a pellet grill, etc). I watch my diet and try to stay healthy and weight conscious. I do my best not to get upset by the small things ( or even some bigger things). Remember, "Everything will work out."

I exercise and read inspiring stories either in books or online. I also volunteer in my community. That coupled with spending time around positive people helps me improve and maintain my mental health.

Eating right is one of the first steps. When you eat horrible fast food(junk food) mostly, you can create brain fog that makes PTSD or depression worse. Exercise is also a must. Only have legs? Only have arms? You can still exercise. Excuses are the death of moving forward.