The
earth
spins
on
its
axis
at
a
precise
angle.
If
that angle is off just a fraction, it
would render the earth either
too hot or cold to be inhabitable.
The number of connections in
our mind, between each nerve
cell, has been compared to the
number of stars in the universe.
It is a complex, bio-chemical
organ, the most delicate and
complex thing known on
the universe. In it lies the
thought process that
governs our emotions, our
creativity our hopes, our
memories.
At times, a simple adjustment in
our lifestyle can do much to keep
our mind's bio-chemical balance
working in harmony and to help
keep our minds balanced. There
are many natural activities that
effect the chemical makeup of
our mind.
There is much that naturally
raises the level of certain
neurotransmitters in our brains,
our seretonin and dopamine
level, which are known to play a
role in both depression and bi-
polar disorder, as well as that of
ADHD. There are some 30
different neurotransmitters in
our brains, so the mind is a
complex organ that defies
science to unravel all of its
mysteries. By following some of
these simple suggestions, it can
do much to help our minds to be
in balance.
1. Exercise -Studies have shown
that regular exercise-brisk
walking, as an example, can be
more effective in treating
depression than medication,
both in the treatment of the
depression, as well as the
recurrence rate.
2. Love -Love has been described
as the best medicine. Not
everyone has the benefit of
having been raised in loving
environment. There is a scripture
that says, "there is more
happiness in giving than in
receiving." By using our lives
purposefully, for the purpose of
helping others, then our life has
more value. By giving of
ourselves to others, it helps us to
be part of the circle of love.
3. Television, movies and video
games. Excessive time spent
watching television, or other
forms of media can have an
effect on our mental health.
There is much in the way of
violence in children's
programming. Most movies and
cartoons have at least some
violence. One study reveals that
in 1996, 8 out of 10 Saturday
morning children's cartoon
characters were violent. The
evening news, as well, has
elements of violence, and at
times, this can effect the
emotional balance of some. Some
have commented that regularly
watching the news contributes
to depression.
The rapid fire pace of television
and commercials can cause an
overload on our senses, our
brains and with it the delicate
balance of the chemicals that
have a role in our emotions. "We
can get to the point where we
have seen so much violence, that
we no longer recognize it as
violence," one book on the
subject stated.
Many movies are entertaining,
but also, stir up emotions to
highs and lows, that for some,
can contribute to depression or
other imbalances in our mood.
These can be contributing
factors in depression, anxieties,
ADHD, OCD and bipolar disorder
and for other mental health
problems as well.
Some adults are more sensitive
emotionally than others and this
is true of children as well. For a
person with a sensitive
disposition, or if he or she has
been through any sort of trauma
in their life either in the present
or past, cutting back on media
time and intensity can be of help.
Focusing on positive things can
help also. Try reading to keep up
on the news, rather than
watching the television news. It
is gentler on the mind, and we
can be more selective. Try to
avoid dwelling on the violent or
sensational, make a deliberate
choice to focus on the positive.
4. Art can be a natural mood
stabilizer for some, as well as
contribute to healing of
the mind. It can help some to
build self-esteem and, like
reading, it can be a mind-
strengthening exercise.
One man who said that the news
depressed him, and decided to
do without his TV. Instead, he
cultivated his natural talent in art
and produced literally hundreds
of works of fine art in a five year
period, selling many of them
commercially, something he had
been doing previously for
recreation. Art can have a
healing effect on the mind, giving
it rest, and help a person to
build self-respect, something vital
for good mental health.
5. Spirituality and Prayer -There
is a physical, biological, genetic
side to our lives, to our
personalities and our moods.
There is also a psychological,
emotional and spiritual side of
our psyche. All of these come into
play in determining both our
moods and our mental health.
Attention to our spiritual needs is
a vital component of our mental
well-being. Ignoring those needs
or damaging the spiritual and
emotional side of our psyche can
contribute to symptoms of
mental health disorders,
especially if the damage is
significant.
Prayer: Praying for help, praying
for a sound and healthy mind,
praying for peace in one's mind,
can be an effective tool in
combating mental health
difficulties.
6. Spend time in the outdoors.
Try to stay away from canned,
prepackaged entertainment and
spend time with nature. "Green
therapy" can be one effective
way to find inner peace, and
quiet down our minds, find
refreshment and break free from
negative or circular thinking.
7. Avoid isolating yourself.
Being part of a community, an
organization that gives support
and meets regularly can do much
to help a person get through
crises and to help to keep
positive. Being part of a
community that does good for
other people, gives one a sense
of sharing and fulfillment, which
can contribute to good mental
health.
8. Give balanced attention to a
healthful diet. A diet high in
sugar and fat can contribute to a
weak body and a weak mind.
Most breakfast cereals are filled
with sugar, as are sodas. ice Try
to go vegetarian as much as
possible and cut out alcohol from
your diet. Avoid smoking. Do
your best to quit smoking if you
are smoking now, it constricts
blood vessels in the brain and
can have a role in one's mental
health.
Children need to eat three meals
a day. A healthy breakfast daily is
essential. Many children who
suffer from depression or ADHD
might skip breakfast. For some
sensitive children, school
breakfast of Fruit Loops速 and
other sugary cereals, sugary
muffins, or Pop-Tarts, which can
be a typical school breakfast,
along with juice and/or milk, isn't
what one would call "brain food".
It is quite the opposite.
Both schools and parents need
to give careful thought to
providing children with healthful
meals, snacks and breakfasts. It
can make a big difference in a
child's or teen's mental health.
Some children who have been
diagnosed with mental
disorders, have been noted to
skip both breakfast and lunch. It
is something that doctors can
also take note of before giving
recommendations for drugs for
children and teens.
9. For persons with mental
health difficulties, doing without
alcohol, drugs, and high
caffeine can be helpful. Alcohol is
a depressant and can contribute
to both depression and bipolar
disorder. For many who have an
addictive personality, it is better
to do without completely, than to
try to "handle it". For the vast
majority who have any type of
mental health disorder, doing
without alcohol as a way of life,
is the best course and course of
wisdom.
10. Avoid pornography. The
sexual stimulation of
pornography without a real
partner can be pleasurable for
the moment, but it also can
contribute to an emotional
emptiness which can lead to or
contribute to symptoms that are
evident in depression, bipolar
disorder, OCD, as well as other
mental health disorders. Also,
sexual promiscuity can lead to
depression or contribute
towards other mental health
difficulties. Truly satisfying sexual
relations fill both physical and
emotional needs, that is our sex
partner should also be a life-
partner who is there to support
and show love the next day and
the next year as well.
11. Try to find activities that build
self-esteem. Learn to play a
musical instrument such as the
piano or violin. Stick with it. This
is especially helpful for children.
One 13-year-old with ADHD
said that playing the
piano helped her to develop self-
esteem at a time when she had
no friends.
Art also builds self-esteem in a
similar way. Children, teens, and
even adults benefit from art. Art
can be helpful in overcoming
addictions, in calming the mind
naturally, and in building self-
esteem. When one sees a work
of art that they have created, it
helps them to realize and is a
constant reminder that they have
worth. There are many ways that
self-esteem develop, and it is an
important part of healing.
Those who are families of
persons with mental health
disorders need to remember to
show approval of the child, teen
or adult who has a mental health
disorder, in other words keep a
positive attitude and don't give
up. Don't berate, ridicule. This
contributes to low self-esteem
which can perpetuate feelings of
self-loathing. This is true for
those with a tendency towards
eating disorders as well. Show
love and approval to children and
teens especially.
12. Sharpen the Saw: There are
many ways we can sharpen the
saw. Reading the Bible every day
is one way to regain our
strength. It can help to calm the
mind. It helps one to feel at
peace and can be a
strengthening aid and anchor if
one is going through crises or
has mental health disorders. Give
attention to spiritual needs on a
daily basis. Spending time
outdoors helps with both
depression, bipolar disorder and
ADHD, as well as really, all mental
health disorders. It has been
dubbed "Green Therapy," as
effective in many cases as are
medicines, with no side effects.
Wise persons "sharpen the saw".
13. Try to keep an active mind
through reading. Reading can
be a mentally strengthening
activity, especially if we focus on
positive and upbuilding material.
Subscribe to some positive
magazines, picture magazines, or
subscribe to these for your
children.
14. Purpose in life and work:
Have an active role in helping
children, the elderly,
handicapped, underprivileged
persons or others. Volunteer part
of your time for a worthy
purpose. By take time to help
others in a genuine loving way, it
helps to develop positive
qualities and give our life
meaning and purpose. Finding
secular work in teaching, in a day
care center or in volunteering
with needy children is something
that can help us to give and to
take our mind off of ourselves
and whatever problems we
might have. It can also be of
value in avoiding isolation and
integrating with other people. In
line with this, sometimes a
change of jobs can help to
overcome mental health battles,
something that has more of a
direct connection in helping
people.
15. Music. Try to listen to
mellow music. Much music is
supercharged, electric and
throbbing. The constant mental
stimulation can result in mental
overload. Much alternative music
can be depressing or elicit
feelings of emptiness. Rock and
roll, heavy metal, and other
"heavy" sounds, can send our
minds to highs and lows, which
can effect the chemical balance
of our minds.
Developing a taste for lighter
music, gentler and more
diversified sounds, as well as
keeping watch on the amount of
time we spend with music that is
intense, can help us to keep a
positive flow of emotions
uninterrupted in our minds.
Avoid the depression, try to keep
it positive. This is especially true
if we are the kind of person who
"lives" every note. Some might
listen to music passively, others
get emotionally involved. These
are the types of persons who
need to consider changes and
adaptions in musical habits, if
they are suffering with mental
health disorders.
16. Get organized, avoid
procrastination, get help in
keeping one's home and
possessions clean. Get rid of
clutter. If its been there for more
than a year, it probably isn't
necessary. Getting on top of
one's bills and financial life also is
of help. Sometimes professional
services can be of help in this
area.