Taking the Positive Road to Wellness

The biggest obstacle when it comes to mental illness is often times staying positive.  How can you be positive when each day seems  like an uphill battle instead  of a pleasant experience?  The answer may not be easy, but it is possible

20 years ago when I received my diagnosis, I believed I could handle it. How ever, it took many years to be at a place where I could understand what the doctor's told me.  I'll be honest I still don't always listen, but I have a better understanding of what I need to do and how to stay well. 

The same mind that turned on me is the one that helps to keep me on the path to wellness.   Staying positive despite the symptoms that come with mental illness  but it is possible.  

1.  Surround yourself with people who are willing to listen to you, stand by you and lift up when you are down.  Hearing their positive words are difficult at times, but it's just what we need.  Don't push them away, no matter how much you want to, they are the ones who care and in time their words will make sense. 
2. Make time for yourself.  This one is  hard, as often we feel alone and the last thing we want is to be alone on purpose, but this is different.  Taking time for yourself, is doing what you want for yourself.  Forget about the world for awhile, find what makes you happy or what used to and do it.  You may have to push yourself at first, or even the first five times, but keep going.  The feeling of worth will come and boost your mood and confidence. 
3. Write! I can not express this one enough.  You do not need to be a famous novelist, or perfect with your handwriting and language, this is only for you.  Putting your thoughts on paper, helps clear your brain of all that clutters it up and brings us down. If you fear someone reading what you write, use a computer program that requires a password.  It is OK to be selfish at times. 
4. Get outside.  Yes, another big step!  Nature is one of the best anti-depressants there is.  In our 24/7 world, we do not get outside enough.  The demands of our lives, families and work take us away from what we need most.  Going for a walk a couple times a week will help you relax and clear your mind.  I used to walk quite often and looked forward to the freedom, but life took over and I stopped.  I saw the difference.  I am back now to hiking and the peace that comes with it is welcome. 
5. Go easy on yourself.   Easier said that done, I know.  We blame ourselves for this illness we live with, but it's not our fault. We didn't wish this on ourselves, like any illness some get it, some don't.  Society does not make it easy, the stigma keeps us quiet and hidden, it's not our fault.  Don't let their words take hold.  
6. Smile!  Even when you seem to have forgotten how to, smile.  It may feel fake, but do it everyday.
7. To me, the most important of all - Music!  Put on your headphones or turn up the radio and play your favorite songs and lose yourself in the melody, the lyrics.  Music has a power like no other, use it!

By taking care of ourselves  we have a much better chance of a positive life and once we have that, the sky is the limit.

A is for Awe - A to Z Blog Challenge

The world is full of moments that leave us breathless and in awe of everything around us.  I walk the beaches of Florida, watching the waves crash, the sunrise and I stand in awe of the majesty of it all.  Yet, as I walk the shoreline my mind wanders to not so much the beauty of what is around me, but what my brain has challenged me with the awesome doctors who have helped me.

There was a time when I would not have been able to enjoy the scenery, mental illness is my nemesis, the thing that takes joy from me and yet leaves me in awe all at the same time.  It is the doctors that amaze me most, while I have had my share of questionable characters my current psychiatrist has saved my life and continues to do so each day with his knowledge and continued research on the best ways to treat those with these illnesses, especially with my extensive list of medications I can’t take due to side effects. 

This may seem minor to most, being amazed by a doctor’s ability is not something that is thought of often, but for me it is a daily occurrence.  And while medication does help, there is more to this than meets the eye.  The news blames many things on those with mental illness and the fact that they have not taken their medication, but there is more to it.  Medication is not the only way to treat these illnesses. 

In the journal Emotion it is mentioned that positive emotions like awe can reduce depression, and give us an connection and sense of meaning in our lives.  There are three main ways to find awe in our lives each day. 

First think of a special time in your life, where were you? Who were you with? What did if feel like?  Being able to reminisce about these moments helps us connect with the good things in our life.

Second like the beginning of my post says, seek out the beauty that is all around us.  A nature in the park or through the woods can calm the mind and inspire you and make you feel better. 

Third find the awesome in those around you, spend time with those inspire you and you are able to share special moments with, such as winning a competition. 

I came up with the idea for this post after I read an article on Psychcentral.com and knew it would be the perfect post to begin the challenge with.  After all, what we will accomplish in the next month to many will nothing short of awesome.