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

I’ve learned to work out my physical body at the gym and my routine has enabled new friends to interact/train with which has boosted my mental health/ confidence! Routine is not boring it’s my way of remembering.

What I do to maintain or improve my mental health is to consistently seek different options to cope with it. My social worker is instrumental in offering various suggestions that I aggressively research and try. Ninety percent of them are not beneficial for me. However, instead of giving up, like I used to do, I must say God and my grandchildren are the reasons why I am still here today. Because of them, my seven years of mental health concerns finally found something to help; Wounded Warrior Program. Attending events with fellow veterans has helped significantly. Talking with fellow veterans who understand why I tend to withdraw from time to time and not judge me for it is key. In return, I do the same for them. I am still not where I should be, but at least I am here today to tell my story.

I pray every night and morning giving thanks to the lord for clarity of thought.
I look for goodness and kindness in people no matter their age or religious practice or ethnicity or status in life.
I smile a lot and share positive words with those I have a chance to talk to.
I always say thanks and address people as sir or ma'am.
I strive to make a positive impression on all I meet.
I poke fun at myself to break the ice and hopefully get a smile in return.
I thank all veterans I meet and place my arm around them, when appropriate, and ask the Lord to bless them.
I take time to tune out the world and find inner peace.
Finally, I reflect on the love I feel for my family and friends and my comrades that have left "the area of operations".

That's easy, I exercise regularly. I do believe in the motto: strong body, strong mind." I go online everyday and try to impart some knowledge, while learn something new myself. That help keep my mind sharp and stable.

In addition, I try to watch my diet, but I'm not nearly as good at that as I should be. Poor nutrition can significantly affect your mental health as well as your physical health. Not to mention all the non-food additives put in our food products these days. But finding, selecting, and cooking all the right foods takes a lot of time and effort. Besides, grass-fed beef and free ranges chickens can be costly, so all too often I have to settle for something a bit less healthy.

Anyway, I take natural supplements which help with mental clarity, concentration and focus. Tryptophan and tyrosine, for example, are a great nature way to combat anxiety and depression.
I've also investigated a few nootropics, but so far, they haven been especially useful.

I take my dog on at least two walks every day.

I maintain healthy relationships and spend time reading my bible/prayer

To maintain or improve my mental health I enjoy hitting the gym. I believe physical exercise is essential in relieving stress and anxiety. Another thing I do to maintain or improve my mental health is honor my deceased brothers in arms by living a clean drug free and alcohol-free life for them.

How I maintain or improve upon my mental health is two-fold. I need to surround myself at work and away from work with people who share a common interest in representing the best versions of themselves. And, most importantly, I need a higher power or space to decompress. I've been in situations where one or the other were not in sync and it required me to make life changing decisions (i.e. new job or new relationships).

I am involved in a program called PRRC through the VA and attend multiple classes. Some teach coping skills such as setting healthy boundaries and others teach recreation skills such as crochet. It is important for me to attend these classes with other veterans who have mental illness because we understand and accept each other. We help to build one another up and celebrate our growth together.

I stay busy with my church, hobbies, friends, family.