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

My husband has been a veteran for ten years this coming October, there have been an enormous amount of struggle since the first day becoming a veteran. Most days I feel invisible however I found that volunteering gives me purpose. I volunteered the 8 years he was active duty for whatever military base we were stationed at and for the past ten years being a veterans spouse. For me volunteering gives me the chance to give back which helps to improve my mental health by giving me purpose outside of being a mom and a veterans spouse. Also I recently began walking with my son who is about to graduate high school 2 to 3 times per week for at least 30 min. We just talk about whatever comes into our heads , we laugh and just talk. I feel my mental health improving with every walk and crave the next chance to walk with him. We just enjoy our surrounds in as many ways and we can. I was in despair and grieving and I found that volunteering and increasing physical activity really has helped my overall well being by showing me I am important and do still have a purpose even though my husband is a veteran.

I like to want through my farm and sit and watch my goats, chicken, geese, turkey, and dogs go about their business. The animals remind me how to be resilient. The goats always know they can find another patch of grass to munch. The birds like the rain the water just runs off their backs as they wait for the worms to surface.

I work on my Harley Davidson motorcycle at night when everybody else is sleeping because I try to be involved with the family during the day but I find that when I’m in the garage without worrying about family time I find my peace and quiet

I work and clean my motorcycle after every one is sleeping

I work on my Harley Davidson motorcycle at night when everybody else is sleeping because I try to be involved with the family during the day but I find that when I’m in the garage without worrying about family time I find my peace and quiet

Now that I am in a wheelchair can I get some help with care of my home, like taking out the trash and keeping the kitchen clean a couple of times a week? My wife has cancer and is very limited in what she can do!

I read. I find a really great romance novel that has a adventure, fighting, romance, and intrigue. I then grab a cup of my favorite tea and a blanket; then let the adventure begin. I can get lost for hours in a good book.

I personally/directly use coping techniques for anxiety and stress to maintain a healthy mental state (e.g., breathing, meditating, and working out). It also helps listening to soothing instrumentals and frequencies better equipped to heal in addition to seeing my therapist bi-weekly. I have so much peace when I pray and leave all my burdens with my Creator above, and by and by I see the progress. It helps me to relax with journaling, reading books, investing in myself getting monthly pedicures or massages, and keeping my mind off what bothers me by focusing on others - so working at the VA, I frequently visit with a vet to help my social worker friends when they lament to me about the vets they're most concerned about who could use the extra support. All of these things have improved my both my mental and consequently my physical health over the last 5 years working as a civilian for our federal governement.

I take my family to the old family farm land in Oklahoma. It removes stress and allows us to be with one another with out distractions. Work and family can stress you out, so I find time just about every month to take the kids and wife there.

I spend time out in nature hiking with my dog. I do breath work and be consciously present. I try not to think about work or other life stressors, but notice things going on around me in the moment.