Self Help for Mental Health
There are many different ways you can help yourself in Recovery from Illness and or Addictions and their related issues.
Here are some suggestions that I have found helpful:
Talk Therapy
Talk Therapy - A problem shared is a problem halved and also it may give you some space to talk about symptoms and how your feeling.
Its always worth asking your GP for a referral to your local NHS service.
In Cornwall the NHS Services are Be ME and Outlook SW, you can find their contact info on the links page.
Its always worth asking your GP for a referral to your local NHS service.
In Cornwall the NHS Services are Be ME and Outlook SW, you can find their contact info on the links page.
Exercise
Exercise is crucial in any Recovery plan. Even if you can only exercise from the sofa, make some time and do it, 5 times a week for 30 minutes and it will help you with your Mental Health. For more information on how Mental Health can be improved by exercise please click on the Penguin ! You may need to check with your GP prior to taking up any high intensity stuff !
Eat Healthy food
Try not to eat anything that is processed, the more natural and uncooked the food the better it is for you and the less unhealthy chemicals that get into your body.
A diet based on starchy foods, such as rice and pasta, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and lentils, and some milk and dairy foods (and not too much fat, salt or sugar) will give you all the nutrients you need and help keep you on an even keel. Try to remember to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and help keep your body in motion so to speak.
A diet based on starchy foods, such as rice and pasta, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and lentils, and some milk and dairy foods (and not too much fat, salt or sugar) will give you all the nutrients you need and help keep you on an even keel. Try to remember to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and help keep your body in motion so to speak.
Self Help Groups
Join a local Self help group specifically dealing with the issues you have or one that promotes activity which in turn helps produce the Happy chemicals and helps you take "Time Out" from your head !
Peer support from other people living with mental illness is key in recovery as this will help you fell less alone or isolated, it wasn't until I met with other people who where living with and surviving mental illness that I realised I could get better.
Its speaking to these people that helps you with your daily living and the comradeship you receive from people dealing with the same kind of illness is overwhelming and priceless.
SAS Recovery in the Community runs a group in Truro but there are many more around Cornwall and around the Country, feel free to contact me for more info on the contact us page.
I believe that through Positive Confidence Building activities, Peer Support and Self help you can learn to manage your Mental Illness or disorder and help prevent relapse, I did !
Peer support from other people living with mental illness is key in recovery as this will help you fell less alone or isolated, it wasn't until I met with other people who where living with and surviving mental illness that I realised I could get better.
Its speaking to these people that helps you with your daily living and the comradeship you receive from people dealing with the same kind of illness is overwhelming and priceless.
SAS Recovery in the Community runs a group in Truro but there are many more around Cornwall and around the Country, feel free to contact me for more info on the contact us page.
I believe that through Positive Confidence Building activities, Peer Support and Self help you can learn to manage your Mental Illness or disorder and help prevent relapse, I did !
Research your illness
There is nothing more empowering than deciding to learn about your illness and how best to manage it, yourself, your way. Everyone living with any kind of mental illness is unique. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. So read and learn as much as possible about your symptoms or your diagnosis and make your own mind up.
When I was given a diagnosis of Bipolar II (not to be mistaken for Bipolar I) I spent hours on the internet learning about how to manage my symptoms. Then through doing the things that I could do like exercising and cutting out alcohol I began to manage my symptoms better. I not pace myself, know my limitations, dont beat myself up emotionally and its working. One day at a time I am managing mental illness. Some good websites to look up are on the links page.
When I was given a diagnosis of Bipolar II (not to be mistaken for Bipolar I) I spent hours on the internet learning about how to manage my symptoms. Then through doing the things that I could do like exercising and cutting out alcohol I began to manage my symptoms better. I not pace myself, know my limitations, dont beat myself up emotionally and its working. One day at a time I am managing mental illness. Some good websites to look up are on the links page.
Alternative and Complimentary Therapies
Along with the usual meds from the GP I also take a number of Supplements like Omega 3, Magnesium and B Vitamins. I practice Positive Self Talk, use Aromatherapy Oils and Meditation to help me stay sane !
You must make your own mind up as to what you would like to do, as I say everyone is unique and you must be engaged with what you choose to do so I would suggest you research Alternative and Complimentary Therapies for Mental Illness to see what you would like to do. There is a comprehensive list of available therapies on the Alternative therapies page.
You must make your own mind up as to what you would like to do, as I say everyone is unique and you must be engaged with what you choose to do so I would suggest you research Alternative and Complimentary Therapies for Mental Illness to see what you would like to do. There is a comprehensive list of available therapies on the Alternative therapies page.
