Mental Health Game Changers for 2024

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New year to finally tackle some mental health issues. Perhaps, like me, you have been battling with some major mental health problems. I’ve had a life long struggle with anxiety (G.A.D.), even if there is nothing to worry about, my mind will find anything to attach to and spiral on or dwell on — and one night of this leads to a cycle of insomnia where the problem only propitiates, The original thing you find to be anxious or to worry about, that nagging feeling, after a night of no rest because of it — the next day you resent that issue even further and even more negative doom thoughts transpire, and it’s a cycle that becomes hard to break. Some of these cycle can also lead to another serious problem; depression — or even substance abuse, needless to say their are serious so you cannot let it get that far. The U.S. is dealing with a major mental health crisis, a lot more then that is what is publicized, I am always traveling and meeting people, I can 100% say many people are dealing with some type of variant of these issues. And this Mental Health crisis is exasperated by a failing for-profit U.S. Health care industrial complex type system — I will get into that more in a different post. So, anyway, perhaps your issues are like mine. Or you just struggle with straight up depression, a work-place type depression, or a social anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder or bipolar or substance abuse issue — all of these are fairly closely related and usually stem from the same core problems. Anyway, why am I writing this? New year, new blog! And one of the categories of this blog and website will be for Mental Health, as it’s a cause I’m passionate about, and being someone that has been dealing with this my entire life in some way shape or form, I feel some of insight on the topic could help others. Below are some strategies that I have learned to help me have good days!

) Drink tons of water. I know this sounds cliche but I’m a huge water guy, I buy the gallons and try to crush at-least one a day. This is a great first step into setting your body up to feel better which in turn could lead to better days, habits and cycles.
) Get outside, and preferably in Nature. The beauty and calmness of nature is so healing. Find a less busy nature area or park and go for a stroll or a bike ride. Go for a long walk around a lake and notice and watch the birds and animals. Get some sunlight, get some breeze.
) Exercise, you’ve all probably heard this one before. If this one is daunting to you, or if you haven’t exercised in awhile, start small. Find a park, or a nice pathway somewhere to go for a walk, bring some earphones if you’d like. From there you can build your way up to perhaps a little more exercise, try a small run every now and then if you are able — it does not have to be long or fast, even a slow jog or some speed walking get the heart rate up and create some ‘hopeful hormones’. Weight lifting, this one is my favorite these days — though many gyms these days can be very crowded, buy two small hand weights and get in the habit of doing a few reps a day in between chores around the house.
) Be creative. This one can depend on the person perhaps, but I myself am a creative and artist by nature — although my career is many times over the opposite of this. I need a creative outlet, for me this is very important, weather thats getting out and doing some photography, writing, or doing some type of sketch/designing/anything visual. I also have a passion for comedy and stand-up, and am a huge film buff.
) Hobbies, this one is somewhat a blur of the above, point 4. Find some hobbies, if you have none spending some time discovering some. For me, I have always loved road cycling since I was about 20 years old, actually cycling as a whole I’ve been into it even longer. As a kid I road BMX bikes, 20-~25 fixed gear or single speed road bicycles. 25+ regular road cycling, now I’ve recently bought my first new more middle tier bicycle, a Cannondale Topstone gravel bike. There have been stints over the years I have forgotten about bicycling, try to rediscover and remember the joys of things you’ve enjoyed as a kid. I’ve had an off an on similar relationship since I was a kid with skateboarding, hiking, and surfing. Try to remember your hobbies and maintain them, and lean into them!
) Socialize, in some way daily. As I have been working remotely the past 3+ years, this has begun to be a large struggle with me. Always at home by the PC. Try to find some community.. (resume)
) Stay away from Alcohol, alcohol suppresses the central nervous system, so if you’re like me, a few drinks relieves the general anxiety and for some moments there I have no anxiety — this is a mask.. (resume).
) Think minimalism. Less is more. Declutter.