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

Have been receiving VA support for years, and have learned to mostly manage where I'm at. Maintaining regular scheduled appointments for both mind and body, which is making things a lot better. Using skills in photography to teach vets through Vet Centers near me, This sharing (teaching) is definitely two way. I highly reco that if you have a skill or passion, find a way to share it. What you give comes full circle.

Meditate and read the Stoic Philosophers

Currently using music therapy to maintain. Never heard of it but my psychologist actually listened to me and suggested it and set up my 1 session. Everything was through video conferences and my therapist was amazing! All free and through the VA. I start my day with 1 particular play lists and gets me going. I highly recommend this therapy!

I take my prescribed meds as directed, thats #1. But I also found out by regular exercise in my case I love to lift weights and work out on a heavy bag, that it gives me a good feeling about myself it makes me feel confident in myself. I also love to read and do all kind of puzzles to exercise my mind'

Early in my life I had a major turning point and didn’t have mature friends or a close enough relationship with family to share with an expectation of receiving constructive feedback. So, decided to invest into a couple sessions with a spiritual counselor. Turns out the counselor was down to earth and didn’t even charge me because he was a veteran himself. This was one of my best decisions ever made in terms of maintaining or improving upon my mental health. Godspeed!

It isn't something we think about but do all the time every day. We race through a Evil Sudoku, ride bikes, read and study, create and build projects, play card with friends, play chess and word games, travel and explore, foster and train dogs, introduce grand children and great grandchildren to the beauty of our world, the list goes on and on. At 82 and retired I do not know how I had time to work.

Routinely, I get out of bed in the morning and I exercise soon thereafter. I try to stay as upbeat and positive since I've been retired from the Army throughout the day as I do my daily chores and activities. And, I like spending time with my wife, my two cats, and other friends and family. I also seek therapeutic help from a VA doctor.

I give back to my fellow Veterans and their families. I help them get their dd214 and other records. I encourage them to visit our county VSO to file claims and I also assist them with getting registered with the VA for medical. My most rewarding thing is coordinating Final Honors and supplying Chaplains & Firing Details when requested. So far I am on track to complete 8,000 services by either working with families to get the active military for flag folding, supplying chaplains, firing details, and live buglers. I work with all branches and regularly am contacted by the CA ANG, 23rd Regiment USMC, and the local U S Navy to assist them.

I do several things.
1. Interact with medical professionals
2. Interact with psychiatrist
3. Meditate/Medical Yoga/ Alexander Technique
5. Reki therapy
6. Acupuncture Treatments
7. Chiropractic Services
8. Keep moving
9. Keep engaged mentally with sodoku or gaming apps for mental acumen
10. Vitamins: B12, Co Q10; Magsufate, melatonin, Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K1 and K2; fish oil high in DHA and EPA
11. Laugh frequently
12. I create art: painting with watercolor, acrylic paint, make metal jewelry, sew and knit
13. Gardening, Cooking
14. Look at pictures of BABY ANIMALS!

I have a great pet and live with my brother and his fiancee' who also have a great pet. These dogs are family to me. But not the family i grew up in to say the least.
I treat them the best i can. Knowing full well that they will do the same in their own way.
I am kind to most animals. They are more honest and what ya see is what ya get with them. No guile/ ulterior motives,...