Mental Health - Self Improvement Bootcamp - Day 12

In Day 11, we learned about how to improve our Physical health. Today, we are going to cover an equally very important area, mental health.
Some people also refer to this as psychological health. For our purposes, I want to use a broad description of mental health including brain health and emotional health.

This quote might sound familiar to you: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Yes, I know, it’s a pretty common quotation, but the beauty of it is that it still rings true. Your mind, just like your body, is a precious gift. But you have to keep it well-honed, just like your body. Our minds are, first and foremost, a learning tool. Think about it: ever since you were born, you’ve been learning. From learning to talk to learning to walk, you’ve been learning. From math class to English class to biology class, you’ve been learning. It’s important to keep learning throughout your life. Some people stop learning mid-way through their lives, but I’m here now to remind you that learning should be a lifelong process.

I want to share some quick ideas to keep your brain sharp:

Number 1) Read regularly

Number 2) Take classes in whatever interests you

Number 3) Write something. Anything.

Number 4) Participate in interesting conversations

Number 5) Learn a foreign language

Number 6) Learn to play or practice playing an instrument.

Number 7) Do anything that helps you sharpen your mind.

These are all great ways to keep your mind sharp. Now, back to mental health.

We all realize that mental health is important. We all realize the damage that is done by excessive stress, excessive anger, depression, and the many other mental maladies that we humans suffer from. If you are seriously suffering, make sure you go to a professional for help. In today’s short session, I don’t have the time or the expertise to provide a complete health program. I’m not a trained mental health professional. What I can do is share with you some ideas to get started on improving your mental health. You’ll be familiar with many of these ideas.

The challenge for you is to identify which ones you aren’t doing and pick and choose which ones you want to get started with.

Number 1) Create personal boundaries and Stop Tolerating things that are intolerable.

Number 2) Quiet your mind at least once a day, perhaps with meditation or simple breathing exercises.

Number 3) Spend Time with Friends

Number 4) Cut the cord and Get Rid Of the Garbage that is tying you down From Your Past. This can Include Forgiving people and forgiving yourself.

Number 5) Plan a fun activity every day and try to find reasons to laugh throughout the day.

Number 6) Ask people to help you when you need it.

Number 7) Show your appreciation for life.

Number 8) Take time for yourself on a regular basis.

Number 9) Explore and experience your feelings fully, possibly by writing in a journal

Number 10) Try to Be Honest When Speaking With Others and with yourself.

Number 11) Try to think and live in the present.

Countless books have been written about these subjects. Find the ones that work for you, but do something. Get some help if you need it. Experts are everywhere. Therapists, psychologists, counselors.You can also look online – there’s a wealth of information about physical fitness and exercise to discover on the Internet.

Now for our questions of the day. First, What are you currently doing to improve your mental health? And finally, what do you want to do improve your mental health?

Please post your answer in the comments below.