Healthy Ideas to Manage Life's Challenges

Healthy Ideas to Manage Life's Challenges
(Information that may be of help to RTs and to share with their clients)

When we're trying to manage life's stressors, how we deal with these challenges can positively or negatively impact our mental health and our overall health and well-being. Here are some ideas to manage life's challenges:

Relax your mind. You can relax by listening to soothing music, reading a book or doing a quiet activity. Also think about deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.

Exercise. Exercising relieves your tense muscles, improves your mood and sleep, and increases your energy and strength.

Connect with others. Talking to a trusted friend, family member, support group or counselor can make you feel better.Get enough rest. Getting enough sleep helps you recover from the stresses of the day. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

Help others. Helping others builds social networks, improves self-esteem and can give you a sense of purpose and achievement.

Know your limits. If you're overwhelmed at home or work, or with friends, learn how to say "no."

Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be a great way to work through issues. You can also track your sleep to help you identify any triggers that make you feel more anxious.

Watch your negative self-talk. Try not to put yourself down. For example, if you don't make it to the gym this week, don't call yourself lazy.

Get involved in spiritual activities. Studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, such as greater! coping skills, less anxiety and a lower risk of depression.Write down three good things that happen to you each day for a week. Thinking about the good things in your life and expressing gratitude may actually help you feel happier.

(From the "Mental Health Minute" published by Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis, June, 2007)