I make my own happiness my priority.

I exercise, which has been proven to be beneficial for mental health. Long walks for me offer an opportunity for self reflection, where I can consider more ways to improve myself and my life. They also offer an opportunity to LEARN. I love listening to documentaries or books on topics that interest me. They also help me sleep better, another ingredient in good mental health.

I garden, because the results make me happy, be it a pretty flower or a delicious blackberry. Seeing successful results of work invested is so satisfying. Its a rush.

I set boundaries and stick to them. My family knows that I do not entertain drama or take sides. There is almost no drama in my family but no one is perfect. Most of them respect that I do not welcome unsolicited advice or opinions on my life choices, and the one that forgets that, gets reminded every time she tries to nag me to go to church with her. I do not intrude on anyones personal life and do NOT allow anyone to intrude on mine.

I do not believe in things such as "guilty pleasures" or "indulgent" purchases. I deserve nice things and so do you. If the bills are paid and I want something, I do not think that I have to justify it. I wanted it. So what if I have a million heart shaped baking dishes, I don't have THIS one and I want it. Done and done. I sometimes joke about justifying such things but in my mind there is truly no need. To that end....

I learned to let go of guilt. Guilt from past things that cannot be changed. Guilt for having nice things that not everyone can afford. Guilt for having a nice life when not everyone does. Guilt for putting myself first. Guilt for saying NO to people asking for favors that would inconvenience me to grant. As long as I personally have not done anything to harm anyone, then no need for such. Its been a game changer in my happiness.

I cut out any and everybody in my life who were not good for me or brought me no joy to know. Energy vampires, leeches, users, that one friend who only calls to hang out when no one else is available, or when they need a ride or a few bucks, or who is a walking dumpster fire and who brings chaos with them whenever they come around. Bye bye.

To bring balance to what seems like a "me me me" philosophy, I do find it good for my mental health to do nice things for others, even if indirectly. I like decorating my office at the holidays to bring joy to others, I like doing small things for my truck drivers. Occasionally I will pick up some cupcakes or doughnuts as a treat for them. And of course all the treats of the holidays. I like cooking for other people. And I love making my SO happy in many ways. Doing things to make others feel happy WITHOUT the pressure or demand or obligation to do so can do marvels for ones mental health!

So, in summary, I do nice things for myself. Whatever I want.

By self care do you mean the practices people take on that help them maintain some mental equilibrium, like journaling, being grateful, meditation, enough sleep, sound nutrition, exercise? I consider things like that minimum level mental hygiene.

Or do you mean how do we address our particular quirks which can cause us trouble. My issues are procrastinating, and some anxiety around, wait for it, things I have procrastinated doing.

I am happy to discuss the more personal stuff if that is of interest.

If it's just about the regular care and feeding of my mind, for want if a better word. My basics are:

Up early enough to have time to meditate for 15 minutes, then think about the day's events/deliverables. Make any adjustments needed. Drink plenty of water, because after this, I go for a jog/fast walk, depending. Do 20 minutes of weight bearing exercise some mornings, then shower, and coffee and on with day.

At the end of the day I spend time writing in my diary/journal. Review past entries. Think. Plan a bit of next day. Meditate.

Those are my basics. Along with eight hours of shut eye, and a pretty decent diet, though nothing like what people talk about wrt to clean eating and such. Decent to me is low on carbs, high on fruit, veg and protein. Plenty of dairy, one sweet per day if I am not trying to lose weight.

Journaling is super important to me because it is a place I reflect on my day, process my feelings, make plans for the future, hold myself accountable and count my blessings. When I skip this piece of the puzzle, everything starts to fall apart for me. When I keep this going, the journal looks like a magic lamp. I complain about something and not many pages later, for the most later the problem is solved. The combination of noticing and holding myself to account work pretty amazingly. Otherwise, I get uncomfortable and just stew in that.

By self care do you mean the practices people take on thatbhelp them maintain some mental equilibrium, like journaling, being grateful, meditation, enough sleep, sound nutrition, exercise? I consider things like that minimum level mental hygiene.

Yes and you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I mean. Thank you for sharing.

Yikes, I misspelled hygiene. Fixing it in original comment.

Zalco, I'm quite impressed with the discipline your routine shows you have.

Working in the yard/garden. Trying to stay busy. I've been feeling a little overwhelmed this past month with all the training we are doing and going to do for a new computer system we're getting at work, along with the added training the KY board of nursing is making us do, every three month BLS, which is crazy since me and my coworkers never see anyone in person. I'm thinking of retiring 4-5 years earlier than I had planned. Today I signed up for a retirement information meeting through my job. It's virtual. Then I'll decide.

I also spent most of the past 5 or 6 hours doing the above mentioned training, just to get it out of the way so I don't have to worry about it anymore. Tomorrow I'll go to my old workplace and do the hands on portion of BLS. Our supervisor is trying to get it removed from our requirements so often, since we don't work directly with patients or even each other.

I do worry about not having any contact with people if/when I retire. Or very little. I'm by myself here and very few friends close by.

I may go see a movie if I get up early enough to avoid the crowds. That's one thing I learned after my daughter moved out to California a few years ago. Boy was I depressed, finally realized I need to just go out and do something, even if it was alone. Get out of the house.

1. Walk daily; 2. Get enough sleep; 3. Stay out of office politics. I spent several decades working for a large tech company with a very toxic culture. It was a huge drag on productivity and mental health.

do not follow the "news" or whatever they try to call it these days ...

I have to have quiet time and solitude. I put my car in the barn aisle and lock the front gate. Seldom does anyone come here, but when I hide my car and lock the gate, that reassures me that no one will. Then I do as I please....putter around, feed the fish, check out the waterlilies, sleep, give cookies to the horses and talk to the dogs and cats.

Elmer, thank you. Honestly, if I don't take care of these minimums, I hate myself and get zero done. Thank you so much for the kind words. They truly mean a lot to me.

Few people know themselves as well as you seem to, that's also a major accomplishment. No one can expect to have happiness, inner peace and balance in their lives without understanding enough to know what factors and activities can help them achieve these important goals.

Meditation, yoga, treadmill, weights, cardio, low carb diet, 7-8hrs. sleep, hydration, time with young grandkids, laughing, positive mental attitude, gratefulness, walking in beach surf, sitting in a grove of ancient Live Oak trees. . . . .

One hour a day on the Appalachian trail deep in the woods.

Participate and receive the sacraments as often as possible. Prayer time. Staying in contact with our creator as challenges arise in the day. Focus on a grateful heart. Look for opportunities to give. Staying in my wise mind.

Making the promise to myself to walk 10,000 steps everyday and do one hour of free weights/floor routine 3x a week.

Gardening is my first go to. Sitting or walking in nature. Gratitude. Meditation. Taking a break from news/tv.

Talking and laughing with my Kids and GS's, Working in my Flower Garden..a fresh bouquet

for my Kitchen, and Music...always music.

Realizing that some mental illness may arise as a result of physical illness/imbalances, addictions, ptsd, etc. and may require professional help to improve mental health. If you are using mental health practices that have in the past worked but you continue to feel as if you can't cope, get help.

I truly appreciate the thoughtful responses.

I agree with Lucille regarding physical imbalances, and I consider myself to be a bit unstable emotionally; i.e., I can get upset for irrational reasons. I have to work at having a good image of myself - when I did feel good about myself growing up, my mother would tell me that I was too vain. However, I do believe that a certain amount of vanity helps with one's self-image. Of course it can be taken to an extreme, but that can happen in either direction.

Certain foods will affect my moods, and I tend to avoid caffeine. At most I will drink one cup of tea in the morning (never coffee), but sometimes I forget, and that is okay. I also need to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, as those can definitely cause mood swings for me.

I was much moodier when I was younger, and I dealt with that by writing in my diary. However, when I would later read what I had written, I would think that I must have been crazy to have written it. I've learned to laugh at some of my eccentricities and try not to get upset when other people laugh at them as well.

I believe that I think differently from most people, and so I look for people who do think the way I do, but then we just end supporting each other's oddities. This happened a lot with my ex-boss, and we could sometimes get a bit out of control and need others to bring us down to reality.

There are certain places where I feel that I fit in better than others, and certain places where I definitely feel very much out of place. Places that I like include Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Vancouver, Italy, Mexico, and NYC. I felt very much out of place in upstate New York, however. I felt very much out of place in Seattle, but I would go there to visit one of my best friends, who lived there for just a few years and then moved back to Vancouver. I did not enjoy growing up in Texas and always felt out of place there, although there were a few pleasant moments. I do not like being told that I am weird or strange, and I definitely hear that in certain places and not others.

Absolutely for Lars, we love him here.

How do I stay mentally healthy and centered? I recognize that I am an introvert (not shy) and take my down time when needed, I run or hike daily with a group of women who believe in the adage that what is said on the trails stays on the trails which allows for a lot of freedom in our conversations. We run in the North Shore mountains in trails that go on forever and we stop for the beauty of seeing the sun coming through the trees or drops of water on leaves or the different colours of moss on/hanging from trees. We laugh if we're soaking wet at the end of running in a rainstorm. and think we're adventurous if we're climbing over downed trees after a windstorm and think we're rebels when we pass that sign that says trail closed due to weather conditions.

I watch what I eat but allow for throwing caution to the wind and eating something that isn't "healthy." I have turned off the running news but will watch the conclusions of the days events. I walk my son's golden regularly and up until last Thursday also walked my niece's Sheba regularly until we had to say goodbye to him.

I have been known to get rid of people in my life that aren't good for me including a sister and my MIL.

Could I do more? Perhaps, but I'm not disciplined enough.

I have been known to get rid of people in my life that aren't good for me including a sister and my MIL.

By 'get rid of' I'm hoping you mean that you just quit talking to them?

You sound like your head is in the right place. (If my assumptions about just not talking are true).

lucille - Hahaha, Yes, I just quit talking to them and putting myself in their presence. You made me laugh.

favorite practices for good mental health = cats & dogs

A balance diet, exercise, meditation, smelling the roses keep me sane from this crazy world.

Another introvert, here. I've learnt not to apologize for that. I walk daily, avoid almost all sugar (except some fruits). I am a creative writer and also keep journals. Time spent in nature is my favorite pursuit. I am learning to forgive some people in my past. That grows easier with the passage of time. For years, I did ballet, yoga, and pilates. I gave up my car and bought a bicycle. Lastly, I have learnt not to feel guilty for taking a short nap!

I walk and swim just about every day. I feel my best by exercising alot. I eat healthy most of the time and usually cook from scratch. Our cats and dog bring happiness plus its nice knowing they were saved from a crowded shelter I think about what I’m grateful for every day

For me mental health means mental strength and much of that comes from activity. Riding and horsemanship and being outdoors are most important to me. I also need quiet time by myself. If I feel down going to the beach or to one of the ranches makes everything better. Tonight I added some new activity to my day. I went Ice skating for the first time in over a decade. Felt like a brand new beginner and I was definitely the oldest one in the building, but some of it came back. If I get better fitting skates I think I could enjoy this again. My feet have changed. I'll never be able to what I did before my illness but I think I could work up my way to being proficient enough to make it fun.