What’s your “go to” method for a mental health reset?

Laying in my pool with a cold one!

Journaling is my go to reset strategy. It refocuses my thinking while allowing me to hear my inner voice. I can reflect on how my thoughts change overtime which allows me to grow in my thought processes. I’m trying to enter the sweepstakes so I’m not sure if I posted in the correct place!

Meditation and DBT skills

Yoga and A.A. meetings

Oh! And birding! Since I started paying attention to the birds I see and hear, I have found a whole new world that makes me happy.

My best methods exist on opposite ends of a spectrum; either slowing way down or speeding up. On the "slow down" side, mindful yoga practice or meditation are great ways to get in tune with my body and reset. On the other side, sports that require high levels of focus act as what I call "pattern breakers"; sports like skiing or mountain biking require so much attention to the task at hand that there's no room for other thoughts. So I find that if I'm able to engage in either of these types of activities that are "slowed down" or "sped up", whatever I was preoccupied with before is usually gone after.

Doing the Yang Family style short form of Tai Chi helps me reset my mental state to calm and cenetered.

I take a small vacation to get away for a few days.

My go-to method for a mental health reset stems from my experiences during my last deployment. In an environment characterized by high tempo and limited decompression time, my soldiers and I discovered the incredible benefits of having a designated safe haven: a gazebo or smoke pit transformed into a haven for relaxation, meditation, and rejuvenation.

Together, we crafted this space into something truly special. The addition of a solar-powered water fountain brought soothing sounds while carefully chosen plants infused natural serenity. A zen garden and thoughtful decorations completed the tranquil atmosphere. This haven became our go-to spot for much-needed breaks.

Amid the challenges of deployment, this simple yet impactful initiative underlined the importance of taking care of our mental well-being. It's a reminder that creating a safe space and nurturing it with mindful elements can foster collective rejuvenation, even in the most demanding circumstances.

Gardening. Seems like when you are focused on watering, weeding, feeding, composting, mulching, cutting grass...keeping green things alive and keeping an eye on the weather is a ongoing distraction from physical and mental pain. *even with small kids, dog, and wife to keep me occupied.