We follow the work of The Resilience Institute and refer to its ideas in our workshops. Its latest research on mental health is a good reminder of some great basics. Here goes:
Physically pamper yourself For some people exercise has the same effect as anti-depressants. Get enough sleep. Eat fruit and veggies, food rich in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Keep the social interaction going Whānau and friends are essential. Even pets are included!
Watch out for too much digital exposure Turn the devices off.
Try new things to turn off Relaxation, meditation, hatha yoga, massages, support groups, bright light therapy, music therapy, etc. Give new things a go.
Be kind to yourself, and practise self-compassion and gratitude Kindness and self-compassion can positively change your brain by boosting serotonin and dopamine. They light up your brain's pleasure and reward centres. Practise gratitude daily.
But luckily This is one from us. We're not being trite when we put this forward. Something goes wrong; something doesn't work out; something's going from bad to worse. But luckily... It's a way of re-framing a situation.
Basics but essentials.