Mental Health

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Mental Health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.  

(https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health)  

Here are some tips to help improve self-care:    

• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time. 
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee. 
• Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime. 
• Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling. 
• Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do. 
• Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night or replay them in your mind. 
• Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts. 
• Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.      (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health) 

MentallyHealthyNation.org (includes brief videos) 

Florida Health Resources 

• Mental Health Links 
• Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Citizen Support Suggestions to Improve Health  

1. Take a break from social media, 
2. Consider others’ needs, 
3. Get out into nature, 
4. Pray or meditate,  
5. Exercise more 

Support in Lake Wales Area 

• Care Center (https://lakewalescarecenter.com/programs/)  
• Lake Wales Charter Schools (https://www.lwcharterschools.com/healthservices)  
• LAKE WALES MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY FORUM: TBD 

Getting Into Nature 

• https://visitcentralflorida.org/types/park-playground/ 
• https://boktowergardens.org/bokforall/ 
• https://www.childrenandnature.org/ 
• https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature 

Trauma and PTSD Support Groups in Florida