mental health

Ten keys to mental healthy-ness

1. Truth telling 

This one is the most important!

Mental health is the conformity of my mind with reality. It sounds really simple, but when we are not feeling well things can go sideways.

My family are NOT truth tellers. In fact, they tell BIG lies and then defend them fiercely.

It has taken me many years to fully get this step.

2. Inventory 

The unexamined life is not worth living – Socrates.

In order to find the truth, we need to take inventory of every part of our lives including our childhood experiences. This needs to happen not once, but needs to happen constantly. Examining our motives and looking closely at our behavior helps us to be honest.

3. Healthy eating 

This one is hard if you turn to junk food when you are not travelling well.

4. Avoid drugs and alcohol

I think they have their place. Alcohol saved me from suicide when I was in an impossible situation. Generally, I don’t recommend drugs or alcohol for your mental health.

5. Hobbies and interests

If we are going to live with purpose, interest and hobbies can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives.

7. Exercise 

Even if it is just walking, exercise can help our mental health.

6. Gratitude 

This little word is just SO important to help us see the good in our lives.

8. Read books and watch stuff that give you a positive vibe

I watch a lot of true crime stuff, airplane disasters, and disturbing movies, but I do offset it with positive stuff too.

9. Groups

Groups are a powerful way to improve mental health. When we see we are not alone things seem less overwhelming.

10. Sleep

Lack of good sleep had me suicidal at one point in my life. My medication helps me to have good sleep.

five traumas

trauma

noun1.

a deeply distressing or disturbing 

experience.”

a personal trauma like the death of a child”

2.MEDICINEphysical injury.”rupture of the diaphragm caused by blunt trauma”

1.Childhood sexual abuse. 6 to 9.
2. Domestic violence. First 16 years.
3. Being bashed and raped. Age 19.
4. Being relentlessly stalked. 2007 to 2010. Three and a half years.
5. Neighbour from hell. 2013 to 2022. Eight and a half years.

    As you can see if you add up all the years of trauma, there is a vast chunk of my life spent in trauma and abuse.

    The cost has mostly been on my mental health.

    Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Depression and more recently Bipolar 2.

    At the moment my biggest issues are isolation. Lack of exercise and a need to regulate my diet. Getting there slowly. I have stopped drinking altogether which is excellent…and it also saves me a lot of money. Nightmares are a constant issue, but I’ve been having them since I was four, so used to dealing with them.

    Grow has helped me a lot over the years.

    Whatever the level of disorder or other limitations in my life,
    my existing situation can be constantly improved by good
    habits of thinking and acting and cooperation with help.

    Gavin.