Mental Health America, Live Your Life Well Campaign

     With current economic woes compounding the stress of family and work demands, these are undoubtedly difficult times.  In fact, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-
Being Index, 58 percent of Americans reported that they were struggling in their lives at the end of 2008, an increase of over 22 million Americans polled in early 2008. 

     In commemorating May as National Mental Health Month, Mental Health America is launching the Live Your Life Well campaign.  This campaign provides ten specific, research-based tools that combat stress and promote health and well-being.  Not all of these tools will suit everyone, but everyone will be able to apply at least a few of them to cope better and feel more capable and resilient.

1. Connect with others.

Humans are very social beings.  Research suggests that people who feel connected are happier, healthier and live longer.  Join a book club, hiking club or other group.  Enroll in a class.  Boost existing connections – commit to a certain amount of time with your loved ones each week, without cell phones or other distracting contraptions.

2. Stay positive.

Thinking negatively can  harm your mental and physical health.  Some ways to stay positive include:

• Do not assume the worst.  Our fears often do not materialize.  Instead of waking up in the morning with feelings of dread about what might happen, tell yourself that although there is a possibility of failure or distress, you will do everything you can do to have a happy and productive day.  Seek a happy and productive day – you are most likely to find what you seek.
• Keep a gratitude journal.  Write down anything that warms your heart and makes you smile.
• Remember your successes.  We can learn from our failures, but not if we keep them in the forefront of our minds and turn them on ourselves like a weapon.  Focus on the successes and expect them to be repeated.

3. Get physically active.

Our bodies were built to move, especially when they are pumping out stress-induced hormones.  Put it in your calendar – schedule physical activity as you would any other important appointment, then keep it.  Work out with a friend; you will feel supported in your efforts and will be less likely to break the appointment to exercise.  Exercise can help prevent heart disease, relieve insomnia and reduce anxiety and depression.

4. Help others.

Research shows that those who consistently help other people experience less depression, greater calm and fewer pains.  Helping others does not have to break your bank – volunteer with a community organization or volunteer a smile or a compliment.

5. Get enough rest.

The effects of caffeine last a long time, so stop about six to eight hours before bedtime.  Turn off worry or thoughts of  upcoming responsibilities at least one hour before bedtime by reading or writing your worries down.  Let the paper worry about it overnight.  We know that people who do not get enough sleep face a number of possible risks, including weight gain, decreased memory and heart problems.

6. Create joy and satisfaction.

Positive emotions boost our ability to bounce back from stressful situations.  We may think that we cannot control our emotions, but in truth, our focus and our thoughts about all of our experiences determine our emotions.  We can boost ourselves by changing our focus to the high points of the day instead of the low points.  We can think more rational, positive thoughts about our experiences instead of jumping immediately to the worst case scenario.

7. Eat well.

We would never put Coke and Twinkies in our gas tanks and expect our cars to function  well.  Like cars, humans need good fuel to operate optimally.  As well as healthy food, our bodies need to be fed regularly  and with a variety of nutrients.

8. Take care of your spirit.

Taking care of your spirit means connecting to whatever you consider meaningful and holy.  Talk with others who share similar spiritual beliefs to learn from each other and read inspiring texts for insights that can enrich your life.  Research suggests that people who have strong spiritual lives are healthier and live longer. 

9. Deal better with hard times.

We all experience some particularly tough times.  We can learn to tackle problems instead of just worrying about them, make a list of possible solutions, pick one and then break it into manageable chunks.  We can also learn to journal about our hard times, which organizes our thoughts, and get the support we need from loved ones instead of being isolated in our pain.

10. Get professional help if it is needed.

If problems are interfering with your ability to function or feel good, professional help can make a big difference.  About 85 percent of people who are treated for depression or anxiety improve.

These ten proven, practical wellness tools do not demand huge changes in our lives.  But by setting aside a manageable amount of time each day, we can strengthen one of our greatest assets – our mental health.  For more information about the Live Your Life Well campaign, visit the website, www.LiveYourLifeWell.org.