Stress, work, fractured relationships. How are we to rise above and improve our mental health when there are so many factors around us that pull us down?
What do you hear inside your head when you’re alone? What does your mind say when uncertainty looms? Do you hear positive encouraging words or doom and gloom?
There is one truth we all can live with.
It is true even if you don’t believe it.
Denying this truth will cause you all kinds of heartache.
Accepting it makes life easier.
Have you ever gotten to the end of a day and been exhausted because of the strains on your mental health? Did you have a disagreement with someone, feel taken advantage of, or stir over negative thoughts?
Yeah, . . . me too
I’ve often thought healthy self-talk is simply the thoughts I have in my mind about myself. Then I considered the thoughts I have in my mind about others!
There is one thing completely unique about you. It is your thoughts. The culmination of your thoughts creates a narrative in your mind which determines how you view the world. These thoughts create emotion, meaning, and action.
Depression is complicated. Some people are depressed because of their difficult circumstances and some have a chemical imbalance. Some people are depressed because of past traumas and others have lost hope.
This is the problem. Depression comes from so many sources. It attacks our body, our mind, and our spirit.
Do you ever ask yourself; how can I get along better with people? Do you have trouble feeling defensive with others or are frustrated with people often? Have you felt like you are being walked on by others or have trouble managing your emotions?
In my twenties, I went to an art museum for the first time. I remember being happy to strolling through the gallery. I was feeling all grown up and sassy. There was a particularly large piece that captivated me. As I stared at the painting . . .
Everyone is doing the best they can with the body, mind, and spirit they have.
Our best performance depends on how healthy our body is, how healthy our mind is, and how healthy our spirit is. The nourishment we give each of these parts will determine how well we can perform.
What are we feeding them?
If I said, “it’s your choice whether or not to live with joy”, would you want to punch me in the face? Yeah, I get it. But the cold hard fact is, it’s true. Don’t punch the messenger. If you don’t swallow this truth, you’ll only live with joy when the circumstances are right. Dang. It means instead of wallowing in your hurt or sadness, you need to choose joy.
When the reality of COVID19 began to become clear, many people rushed to the stores to buy up toilet paper in order to feel some control over the uncertainty surrounding the virus. Many of those who didn’t hoard toilet paper were heard complaining about those who did. Whichever side of the toilet paper argument you fall on, there’s help. The COVID-19 pandemic has us all under stress. I’ve found two tricks that have helped me manage my anxiety as I discuss it with others.
You want to look better. You want to feel better. You want to do better. But can it be done? Is there a way? Are you stuck in your life? Is there anything you can do? Can you change the way things are?
Do you have a choice?
Have you ever been afraid of what other people are thinking? I sure have. My perception of the person ‘they’ thought I should be, led me to do many destructive and crazy things. When we’re afraid of what others think, we get stuck being someone we’re not in order to quiet our fears. The results, however, mean no one wins.
Do you ever feel like you’re not being heard? Are your suggestions met with rolling eyes or ignored completely? We all have our ideas rejected now and then. How can you get them to listen?
Are you depressed? Have you ever been depressed?
I was. For years, I struggled, cried, and felt like I couldn’t even get out of bed.
I get it.
I was born with crossed eyes, looking permanently confused and awkward. Because my eyes didn’t work together my brain could not perceive depth. I ran into things and couldn’t catch a ball. It made me jittery, nervous, and always on high alert.
Don’t feel sorry for me.
Repetitive behavior causes us to get good at things. The trouble is, getting good at some things can be bad.
Do you have a good life? If not, who or what is determining that? Is it the circumstances? Other people? Your lack of opportunity? Or is it you?
Without exception, this journey with running continues to teach me life lessons.