What’s something you do to prioritize your mental health?

One of the hardest things for me to do was to retire. When I retired from nurse anesthesia, I started teaching nursing full-time. When I decided to stop teaching I found myself with a great deal of time on my hands. We had just moved to Dawsonville, GA and found a church. I noticed a newspaper article about a free medical clinic which the church had founded.
I found myself working as a nurse a couple days a month; that morphed into one day a week, we only run medical one day per week. Having a volunteer position has helped maintain my mental health. It is amazing how helping those that need help actually helps you as well. Cheers

Keep your thought and attitute positive and in perspective. Suicides tend to happen when an individual feels that have no other options available or the support to assisting them in overcoming their perceived state of mind

1. I try to remember that it's okay to say no sometimes.
2. I try to be kind to myself and know that some days, I only have so many spoons, but that's okay.
3. I try to do some kind of art or music daily
4. I hug my dog and my hubby, not necessarily in the order.

I have severe PTSD and migraine headaches due to my PTSD. It is a must for me when I wake up to put my mental health before anything and everything because without a positive beginning of my day, my mental health will progressively go down hill fast. I don't always maintain a positive attitude but I have to do whatever it takes to try. I dedicate 15 minutes every morning to play with my dog since my dog is probably the most positive thing in my life.

Stay away from.negative people

I make it a point to get out of my condo and be out in the community. And once I get there I don't know a stranger. I talk, chat, greet everyone -- man, woman, child, server, clerk, librarian, etc. It lifts my spirits and I hope it lifts theirs too. I make more friends/acquaintances all the time. I especially look for other vets, proudly wearing their ball caps. I don't, but I always thank them for their service. It's just my way of making the world a kinder, happier place and uplifts me mentally.

thanks for sharing

I am a nature photographer. That has been by far the best thing for my mental health aside from getting married to my lovely wife. Whenever I am outside in nature with my camera, being one with the world around me I feel truly free, and life doesn't get much better than that.

I am not a military length of service retiree. However I am retired and have gone back to work. This time I keep my MH in check by helping other veterans file their claims for benefits with the VA. The pay really sucks but the benefits of seeing and hearing a Vet jump and scream when they prevail on their claims is priceless.

Twenty some years back, I was "There's someone who needs the help more than me" kinda a guy. I woke up one day to discover that now I was one of those guys. Some really great people reached out to help me get my cookies in one basket and prevail in all my claims. Now I'm giving back in the name of the guys who helped me. Do I win every claim I submit? Not by a long shot but that is what keeps me going and my head in check. There's always someone worse off than I am.