Keeping the Mind Healthy

It's a well known fact that a sound mind equals a sound body. It this is true, why is that we spend so much time focusing on our exterior appearance, strengthening our muscles, beautifying our hair and skin, perfecting our smiles, all the while, leaving our mind to its own devices? I recently shared a story about losing my father to mental illness on my family blog, and since his death, I have dedicated myself to researching and understanding the impacts of mental health of those suffering from it first hand, and the effects it has on families. And it's high time that we devote as much time, if not more, to developing our minds, keeping them healthy, and reaching out if we feel like something isn't quite right.

1) Communicate your feelings at every opportunity. My mother used to say, it's better to erupt like Mt. St. Helen's than to simmer like any angry teapot (I adore her, but she had quite the temper!) I'm of the belief that neither is really good for you, and avoiding either by working through things vocally. Put pride aside, and open up. Holding it in is not only detrimentally to you mentally, but it can begin to manifest physically creating side effects like hair loss, weight-loss or ulcers!

2) Get creative, keep busy, and continuously challenge yourself. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have to solve the New York Times Sunday crossword, but trying new activities and doing things you love, will boost your confidence and keep your brain stimulated.

3) Let yourself feel. This can be a tough one for some people. Some of us spend a significant part of our lives trying to insulate ourselves from getting hurt emotionally. Part of growing as an individual also means that we must mature psychologically, and letting ourselves feel the full spectrum of emotions from love, frustration, anger, resentment, and whatever else life throws at us. This doesn't mean that you have to cry when you see the kittens on the Royale commercial, (and if you do, I promise I won't tell!), but when crisis strikes, take it on, one step at a time, don't shelve it.

4) When you have grim thoughts, tell someone. Look, we all feel a little helpless from time to time, and sometimes, when left to our devices, the mind wanders to some dark places. When this happens, it's time to bounce your thoughts off of someone you trust. If this happens to you often, it might be time to talk to a professional. And when I say professional, I don't mean a psychology major, I mean someone who has a degree on the wall that proves they know what the heck they're talking about; Suicide is no joke.

5) Get lot's of sleep. Experts can't seem to agree how much sleep the human body actually needs. Everyone functions on different amounts of sleep. One thing they can agree on, is that sleeping disorders like insomnia can lead to serious psychological diseases including depression and manic depression. Don't lie awake for nights on end, get help.