| Managing our mental health 18:15 - Feb 6 with 46751 views | KeithHaynes |
This works. We shouldn’t forget our responsibilities to ourselves.
1. Value yourself:
Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.
2. Take care of your body:
Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to:
Eat nutritious meals
Avoid smoking and vaping-- see Cessation Help
Drink plenty of water
Exercise, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods
Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in people.
3. Surround yourself with good people:
People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.
4. Give yourself:
Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You'll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need – and it's a great way to meet new people.
5. Learn how to deal with stress:
Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.
6. Quiet your mind:
Try meditating, Mindfulness and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.
7. Set realistic goals:
Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don't over-schedule. You'll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal.
8. Break up the monotony:
Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road-trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.
9. Avoid alcohol and other drugs:
Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to "self-medicate" but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.
10. Get help when you need it:
Seeking help is a sign of strength – not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.
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| Managing our mental health on 19:38 - Feb 9 with 3883 views | Sirjohnalot |
Exactly my point. Sometimes it’s good knowing people are there to listen | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 19:41 - Feb 9 with 3862 views | onehunglow |
Indeed John.
You’re a very caring person.
I’m not sure why you chose the profession you did.
I did ok on Police but really hated it all . I preferred dialogue with criminals rather than ACPO ranks .
Last job saw me deal with the likes of Bettison and Hogan -Howe and Paul Stevenson directly each morning .
Have a word with any Met plod about them.  | |
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| Managing our mental health on 19:55 - Feb 9 with 3859 views | Sirjohnalot |
I grew up watching Crown Court at dinner time when I was young, Kavanagh QC, LA Law, This Life . Persuading people to see your point of view. I like to think I’ve helped a lot of vulnerable people over the years, especially care home kids. I’ve helped to steer them away from drug use, and secured acquittals for numerous people I genuinely believed were innocent, one where the complainant admitted during cross exam that she was lying. I’ve represented a lot of people like the kids I grew up with. Sure I’ve represented a lot of not so nice people but that’s not always the case.
I’ve also prosecuted a lot of very nasty people and sat and held the hand of witnesses after trial and seen the look of relief in their eyes when told it’s over.
I love my job, it’s very stressful, spend time away from home and often work 20 hour days, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. I get to work with some incredible barristers, solicitors and judges all dedicated to trying to ensure justice is done in a crumbling system.
There are so many brilliant people, far better than I, who are desperate to do the job I do but can get a foot on the ladder. I hope that someone may see someone from my background, with my accent and no connection to the law that they can do it too. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 20:01 - Feb 9 with 3853 views | KeithHaynes |
Yes, indeed. | |
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| Managing our mental health on 21:01 - Feb 9 with 3788 views | onehunglow |
I watched crown court before going to work .
You’ve made me feel very old
Bugger | |
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| Managing our mental health on 22:54 - Feb 9 with 3767 views | Fireboy2 |
This^
As you can imagine, I have some stories to tell and they have affected me but I won't go into it, I just get on with life, I have a family to look after therefore I put bad thoughts in a locker at the back of my head. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 23:06 - Feb 9 with 3757 views | Sirjohnalot |
Please if it helps talk, storing is never good. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 23:22 - Feb 9 with 3741 views | Fireboy2 |
Cheers John but it's how I deal with it 👠| | | |
| Managing our mental health on 23:25 - Feb 9 with 3738 views | Sirjohnalot |
Of course but you’ve got my number should ever you need it | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 23:35 - Feb 9 with 3730 views | Fireboy2 |
👠| | | |
| Managing our mental health on 07:22 - Feb 10 with 3698 views | SullutaCreturned |
That's a great post. It must be a wonderful feeling knowing you helped families get justice, in defence or prosecution.
I suffered depression during my 5-6 years of ill health. I'm still convinced my dog saved my life, gave me reasons every day to carry on as well as endless love and devotion.
I like to think Albie even helped make me a better person.
John, you do come across as a top bloke. You PM'd me a couple of times to ask if I needed someone to talk to which I was very grateful for.
Like someone else l, antidepressants made me worse, I beat depression by sheer will with my family and a labrador crossbreeds help and support. Life is pretty darn good right now but I don't take it for granted, it still needs working at. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 07:30 - Feb 10 with 3695 views | Fireboy2 |
I am so glad that I invited you onto our JB group, you are a great person, so glad I've met you in person mate, you are a good positive person, someone who I surround myself with as it makes my life so much better, can't wait for our next meet D 😊 | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 08:19 - Feb 10 with 3659 views | Boundy |
As John posted there's been and hopefully will continue to be some really honest expressions of posters thoughts and experiences and although to that poster that may seem a small thing to do it's really a big help to those who may not feel comfortable in expressing their innermost thoughts but have gone through the same experiences . Thanks | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Managing our mental health on 09:19 - Feb 10 with 3630 views | Sirjohnalot |
Dogs are amazing, huge leveller. No matter how posh, rich, poor you are, you still have to pick up their poo. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 09:25 - Feb 10 with 3607 views | onehunglow |
Putting black memories in the back locker is a good way if one can do so.
Well done | |
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| Managing our mental health on 11:08 - Feb 10 with 3597 views | SullutaCreturned |
If that locker ever gets too full I'll always make time for you too 
Sometimes you need to talk things out, I know. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 11:43 - Feb 10 with 3574 views | swan65split |
Its a pity, I could, but have family and friends who read these pages, and Id like some things be kept private 
Though will help when I can. | | | |
| Managing our mental health on 14:42 - Feb 10 with 3507 views | STID2017 |
Have you been to Maggies ?
Brilliant source of help, advice and experts to talk to who just listen.
Plus people affected by cancer either personally or through family or friends.
Great source of help to my wife, then after she passed away, to myself.
Plus always good to scrounge a free cuppa or two and some biccies if you are down that way  | |
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| Managing our mental health on 15:38 - Feb 10 with 3484 views | Flashberryjack |
My daughter ran the London marathon last year for Maggies, she raised over £4000 for them, some of the posters on this site were generous enough to contribute to her page, for which she is very grateful. | |
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| Managing our mental health on 16:02 - Feb 10 with 3472 views | Boundy |
No not yet ,but I will, If I went there now I'd feel a bit of a fraud as I feel fine ,
At the moment I'm trying to keep everything normal for as long as possible , I've started one part of my treatment with radiotherapy to start in the near future which I've read literature than it can be a bit of a b***er but like everthing else I'm treating it as a just another stage in the "recovery " process.
So sorry to hear about your wife's passing , I'm fortunate that I have a wife and a large family who are always there for us . I believe Alan Curtis has been involved with Maggies so I'll be in good company . | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Managing our mental health on 17:03 - Feb 10 with 3436 views | Flashberryjack |
Yes Curt has been a patron of Maggies for many years (what a guy), it really is a fantastic charity.
Just a reminder, Maggies is for everyone suffering from cancer, not only for terminal cancer patients. | |
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| Managing our mental health on 16:19 - Feb 15 with 3154 views | KeithHaynes |
Friend of mine here is suffering so he’s been out on his bike with me, we have some great trails here, the difference in him after a few weeks is remarkable. It’s true exercise is key. | |
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| Managing our mental health on 16:47 - Feb 15 with 3138 views | onehunglow |
There is a Maggies at Clatterbridge ,apt as it’s my missus name.
We used that place when she was getting treatment which started nine years ago today.
It’s made me reflect having seen this post.
Anything that can help is some respite .
Well done Mr Curt . | |
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| Managing our mental health on 16:52 - Feb 15 with 3144 views | STID2017 |
Brilliant organisation, as are many others involved in helping cancer victims and their families, such as Marie Curie, Macmillans etc | |
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| Managing our mental health on 18:50 - Feb 16 with 3055 views | SullutaCreturned |
fresh air and exercise obviously helps but how you deal with it mentally can also be key. It's the same with many illnesses. | | | |
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