How do you take care of mental health

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walkOnWater

Junior Member
Sep 11, 2013
60
38
18
#1
i am bored....

i've been stuck at home (aside from the weekly supermarket trips) for 2 months...

so... my question is... how do you guys take care of your mental health?

i keep bugging my family by calling them at different times when i am bored (they're overseas)...

and i keep cleaning and exercising... and playing puzzles (just to keep my mind working :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:)... and reading books...

other than that, any other ways you guys are taking care of your mental health?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,320
16,305
113
69
Tennessee
#2
I sit out on my patio with a cup of coffee and relax. Mentally, this works for me. The coronavirus has not greatly affected me as my family is healthy and I work in an essential business. I do enjoy the less crowed roads though there are signs that things are starting to pick up.
 

jocelynn777

Junior Member
Mar 17, 2017
5
7
3
#3
I think it's great that you are keeping your mind working :) It is definitely hard during these moments though. I have been trying to watch different educational videos (webinars maybe), taking walks outside, cooking, and trying to form a home routine. It definitely also helps to stay connected to others. I think finding a hobby or trying to learn something at home that you have always wanted to do could be fun. We may never get these moments again and we can take advantage of learning something. Maybe an instrument or another kind of activity. For me it has been learning more about the Bible. I have been reading more and just doing my own little studies. I have also been streaming online services with my friends and that is pretty fun.

I think the key is to just make a plan, stay connected and talk to someone if you are having a bad day. :)
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,320
16,305
113
69
Tennessee
#4
I think it's great that you are keeping your mind working :) It is definitely hard during these moments though. I have been trying to watch different educational videos (webinars maybe), taking walks outside, cooking, and trying to form a home routine. It definitely also helps to stay connected to others. I think finding a hobby or trying to learn something at home that you have always wanted to do could be fun. We may never get these moments again and we can take advantage of learning something. Maybe an instrument or another kind of activity. For me it has been learning more about the Bible. I have been reading more and just doing my own little studies. I have also been streaming online services with my friends and that is pretty fun.

I think the key is to just make a plan, stay connected and talk to someone if you are having a bad day. :)
I enjoy your post. Please consider becoming a regular frequent contributor to the forums.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
#5
i am bored....

i've been stuck at home (aside from the weekly supermarket trips) for 2 months...

so... my question is... how do you guys take care of your mental health?

i keep bugging my family by calling them at different times when i am bored (they're overseas)...

and i keep cleaning and exercising... and playing puzzles (just to keep my mind working :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:)... and reading books...

other than that, any other ways you guys are taking care of your mental health?
Well I play my guitar, shoot guns, punching bag, read American history, read and study the Bible, study apologetics, xbox, blog, pray, spend time outside, speak to my wife, love on my kids, focus on today and not worry about tomorrow. But I dont live in the city, we live on the outskirts so getting out isn't as hard.
 

JustEli

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2018
1,374
983
113
49
#6
My biggest concern is how we as Americans allowed our elected officials to shut us down so easily.
The death and sickness are horrific things to consider with out doubt. But lets face the facts, we no
longer deal with the spanish flu etc. etc......
At what cost do we secure our safety? At which time do we say enough is enough?
We've become a nation that believes the guvment is the answer to most of our problems.

This current fix we are in shines light on out apathetic sickness, and I am afraid there is
no cure.
So for me, I trust God.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,177
113
#7
read books too
go have some time out in the garden and do some gardening
talk to God...or my cat
write
go for a walk round the block
do some bible study, am reading Book of Isaiah with a friend, with a bible study...if you dont have one maybe find one online or just read the book together and discuss it.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,177
113
#8
forgot...pray
sing praise and worship songs
 

laughingheart

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2016
1,709
1,668
113
#9
Honestly this life is fairly close to my regular one. I am a multimedia artist and writer. In the mennonite tradition we talk about slow food instead of fast food. Don't get me wrong. I love to eat out. It is a treat to have someone else cook for me, lol, but during this time I am able to get up, start the dough, prepare the soups and get creative with what is at the back of the pantry or freezer. I even thaw out a couple of containers where i had no idea what was in them (note to self: label everything before it goes in there. Beef barley soup and pasta sauce do not substitute well for each other). I've been making my own tortillas and noodles. That takes time.
Allow yourself to go deeper in whatever you are doing. Normal life has the laundry, cleaning, food prep, cooking and and did I mention cleaning? In between there is reading, tending the garden, banging pots and pans at 7 pm and then visiting, from a distance with neighbours. One of my neighbors and I have started exchanging bits of baking (she hasn't left her home in a month!).
By go deeper, what I mean is, instead of just doing the laundry, empty out that sock drawer and see what you still need, sort it out and organize. Instead of just hanging up the clothes, organize and declutter. You have the junk drawer, you books, and papers, and files. None of that is the fun stuff but you have time!
The fun stuff is doing a challenge with your friends. Do you write or draw? I have three ladies where we send each other first lines for a story. We then have 10-15 minutes to start writing. We then send each other the results. It is amazing what happens.
The same could be with drawing. What about challenging each other to write a modern Psalm? Pick one and use the style to translate into your own experience (You are not adding to the bible. You are finding a different way to appreciate what God is doing in your life).
OK, I have gone on long enough, and I have tons more, but you get the idea. Go deeper. All the best and hang in there, laughingheart
 

kinda

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2013
3,679
1,435
113
#10
Honestly this life is fairly close to my regular one. I am a multimedia artist and writer. In the mennonite tradition we talk about slow food instead of fast food. Don't get me wrong. I love to eat out. It is a treat to have someone else cook for me, lol, but during this time I am able to get up, start the dough, prepare the soups and get creative with what is at the back of the pantry or freezer. I even thaw out a couple of containers where i had no idea what was in them (note to self: label everything before it goes in there. Beef barley soup and pasta sauce do not substitute well for each other). I've been making my own tortillas and noodles. That takes time.
Allow yourself to go deeper in whatever you are doing. Normal life has the laundry, cleaning, food prep, cooking and and did I mention cleaning? In between there is reading, tending the garden, banging pots and pans at 7 pm and then visiting, from a distance with neighbours. One of my neighbors and I have started exchanging bits of baking (she hasn't left her home in a month!).
By go deeper, what I mean is, instead of just doing the laundry, empty out that sock drawer and see what you still need, sort it out and organize. Instead of just hanging up the clothes, organize and declutter. You have the junk drawer, you books, and papers, and files. None of that is the fun stuff but you have time!
The fun stuff is doing a challenge with your friends. Do you write or draw? I have three ladies where we send each other first lines for a story. We then have 10-15 minutes to start writing. We then send each other the results. It is amazing what happens.
The same could be with drawing. What about challenging each other to write a modern Psalm? Pick one and use the style to translate into your own experience (You are not adding to the bible. You are finding a different way to appreciate what God is doing in your life).
OK, I have gone on long enough, and I have tons more, but you get the idea. Go deeper. All the best and hang in there, laughingheart

I feel like your not sharing enough.


1589232012910.jpeg

I'm joking.


If you have extra time due to the shut down, it's time to persue what your passionate about. It's a great time to seek God and figure where God wants you to be. This isn't a quick reflection sometimes. This past year has been such an learning experience in trusting God and not leaning on my own understanding. The more you trust God, the more God can use you, and the more God can bless you. Not sure how everything will work out, but that's really where trusting in Jesus comes into play.


1589232108245.jpeg
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,328
2,361
113
#11
i am bored....

i've been stuck at home (aside from the weekly supermarket trips) for 2 months...

so... my question is... how do you guys take care of your mental health?

i keep bugging my family by calling them at different times when i am bored (they're overseas)...

and i keep cleaning and exercising... and playing puzzles (just to keep my mind working :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:)... and reading books...

other than that, any other ways you guys are taking care of your mental health?

Are you in a place where public outdoor areas are still open? I'm getting out hiking a few times a week and it helps. Also I found that I like instrumental background music to keep my spirits up and the house from being too quiet when I spend hours alone at home. But I'm also introverted and usually like being alone so don't know how much my helpful hints will be helpful for those who crave being around large groups of people.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,328
2,361
113
#12
My biggest concern is how we as Americans allowed our elected officials to shut us down so easily.
The death and sickness are horrific things to consider with out doubt. But lets face the facts, we no
longer deal with the spanish flu etc. etc......
At what cost do we secure our safety? At which time do we say enough is enough?
We've become a nation that believes the guvment is the answer to most of our problems.

This current fix we are in shines light on out apathetic sickness, and I am afraid there is
no cure.
So for me, I trust God.
My bigger concern is the people who think they can or should assault / kill people who try to enforce mask laws. It's just a face mask; it may be stupid and unecessary but it isn't worth killing anyone over. And it's very disturbing that people think its ok to do so.
 

JustEli

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2018
1,374
983
113
49
#13
My bigger concern is the people who think they can or should assault / kill people who try to enforce mask laws. It's just a face mask; it may be stupid and unecessary but it isn't worth killing anyone over. And it's very disturbing that people think its ok to do so.

Simply put, I concur. Both aspects are important, liberty or death so on and so forth. But to shoot at and or kill? Cmon that
is far and beyond protocol. We are Americans after all. No need for such panic, herd mentality or mass hysteria.

Get it together people! Stop making runs on the toilet paper!!!!!!
 
Sep 13, 2018
2,587
885
113
#14
Simply put, I concur. Both aspects are important, liberty or death so on and so forth. But to shoot at and or kill? Cmon that
is far and beyond protocol. We are Americans after all. No need for such panic, herd mentality or mass hysteria.

Get it together people! Stop making runs on the toilet paper!!!!!!
I think it is selfishness more then anything. Things like this really bring out people's true character. It is sad , really...
 

JustEli

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2018
1,374
983
113
49
#15
I think it is selfishness more then anything. Things like this really bring out people's true character. It is sad , really...
No Jesus, no hope. No hope? What then? Chaos. Or................ acquiescence, then chaos?
 
Sep 13, 2018
2,587
885
113
#16
No Jesus, no hope. No hope? What then? Chaos. Or................ acquiescence, then chaos?

I don't know Eli. All that I here from Jesus is. Be silent, Be still ,while I clean up what you have destroyed... I feel ashamed. Is'nt it amazing how quickly the earth is repairing itself. God keep's on giving us chances. When are we going to get it!
 

JustEli

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2018
1,374
983
113
49
#17
I don't know Eli. All that I here from Jesus is. Be silent, Be still ,while I clean up what you have destroyed... I feel ashamed. Is'nt it amazing how quickly the earth is repairing itself. God keep's on giving us chances. When are we going to get it!
The good news, he wont let us. Destroy the earth, or ourselves. Keeping in mind, we all have the choice, heaven or hell.

And God knows which each and everyone of us will choose.

Thank you Lord, you have called me, forgiven me, knew my name before the foundations of the world
were set.

I deserve the same as all, I am humbled.
 

walkOnWater

Junior Member
Sep 11, 2013
60
38
18
#18
Well I play my guitar, shoot guns, punching bag, read American history, read and study the Bible, study apologetics, xbox, blog, pray, spend time outside, speak to my wife, love on my kids, focus on today and not worry about tomorrow. But I dont live in the city, we live on the outskirts so getting out isn't as hard.
these are the moments i wish i live in the countryside... how i wish i can just enjoy nature right at my doorstep! :love::love::love::love::love:
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,177
113
#19
I know of countryside people who wish they could live in the city. How bout we do a city/country exchange.

Those of us who live in the suburbs are used to being at home now and probably relieved of the long commute to work. It wont be fun facing rat race traffic again.

cant speak for americans but you all got the officials you voted for....if you not happy, vote them out next time. Thats how democracy is meant to work...if it actually works at all...?!
 

G00WZ

Senior Member
May 16, 2014
1,313
447
83
38
#20
these are the moments i wish i live in the countryside... how i wish i can just enjoy nature right at my doorstep! :love::love::love::love::love:
You might be singing a different tune after walking face-first through one of those doorway country side giant orb weaver spider webs.