September/October Mental Health Challenge

[indysteel]

After years of therapy, my first order of mental health business is to check in with myself. How AM I feeling? Honestly. What small thing can I do for myself almost immediately to ease whatever anxiety/sadness/frustration/negative thought pattern that I'm having? Is there anything more significant that I need to do? The fundamental belief that I can take care and nurture myself--that I DESERVE to do that--is at the heart of how I approach my daily life.

This week, I found myself hitting a wall as far as my various time commitments. One particular semi-professional commitment had been weighing on me for some time as something I just didn't want to do anymore. So, after a lot of thought, I finally contacted the people I needed to and told them I was bowing out. What a relif.

[Catrin]

Indysteel, congratulations for making that decision to drop something that just wasn't working any longer - that kind of decision can be so hard to make. I think the hardest thing to do to get back into regular exercise is to start making those schedule changes, bit by bit.

This past year I have been shocked at just how far regular and intense exercise has gone to manage my anxiety level and mood - it has been both freeing and sobering at the same time. Talk therapy was only useful to me to a certain point, the right kind of exercise has taken me much further. Of course, it could also be that the talk therapy got me to a place where I could really take advantage of the exercise.

This last week I've had to return to my old workaholic days out of necessity and it has not been a good place to be - am greatly looking forward to a charity ride tomorrow to blow the cobwebs out of body, soul and mind.

I am in! Always looking for more balanced/healthy ways of dealing with stress - had problems with post-traumatic stress a few times in my life so I try my best to keep my stress levels at least below a low roar...I am finding the bike is a cure for many things!

[redrhodie]

I'm in. I'm going to try to cut out my biggest depressant, chocolate. This is an ongoing problem, and I keep falling off the wagon. It took me years to figure out that if I don't eat chocolate specifically, and sugar in general, I'm much happier. Why I keep forgetting/ignoring this is beyond me. Maybe this thread will help me stay focused.

More sleep would be nice, too. I wish I could figure out how. I'm lucky to be in a position take naps, so I'm going to try to use them more to make up what I'm missing.

I know I'm facing some big stress in the near future since my dad is not well. No time like the present to get ready to go through the wringer.

Good luck everyone! We can do this.

[malkin]

That's weird about the chocolate.

I made a tentative shopping date with my daughter for next weekend. She needs a suit for med school interviews. It seems like something a normal person would do.

[malkin]

Hey--maybe the challenge works like going to Hogworts (10 points for Gryffendor) or playing Candyland.

Great bike ride: Move forward to the next happy square.

Spend 3 hours looking for old business card and boy and girl shaped hole punches: Lose a turn.

Clear off top of dresser to prove I've stopped looking for the above: + 5 points
Find old business cards on dresser: +5 irony points

[redrhodie]

That's weird about the chocolate.

Of course, I had to see if I'm alone in this, and of course, there's a study http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/con...hort/170/8/699 saying I'm not. While looking for this study (before I knew it existed), found lots of articles about the anti-depressant properties of chocolate, so there you go.

I haven't had any today, so +5 for me. Had a good bike ride +5, but got annoyed by a couple who passed me -5. Didn't sleep last night -5. Took a nap +5.

I could do this all day! I'm up 5, but I feel about even.

[malkin]

I think even is really good!

Recreating my business cards is a proactive step for me, not quite looking for a whole new job, just thinking about drumming up a few private clients on the side.