|
| |
National Mental
Health Information Center
Article location: http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA-3504/thingstodo.asp
Recovering Your Mental Health
A Self-Help Guide
Things To Do When You Are Feeling Better To Keep Yourself Well
When you are feeling better, make plans using the ideas in the previous
section that will help you keep yourself well. Include simple lists:
 | to remind yourself of things you need to do every day –
like getting a half hour of exercise and eating three healthy meals;
|
| to remind yourself of those things that you may not need
to do every day, but if you miss them they will cause stress in your life,
like bathing, buying food, paying bills or cleaning your home;
|
| of events or situations that may make you feel worse if
they come up, like a fight with a family member, health care provider, or
social worker, getting a big bill, or loss of your job. Then list things to do
(relax, talk to a friend, play your guitar) if these things happen so you
won’t start feeling bad;
|
| of early warning signs that indicate you are starting to
feel worse – like always feeling tired, sleeping too much, overeating,
dropping things and losing things. Then list things to do (get more rest, take
some time off, arrange an appointment with your health care provider, cut back
on caffeine) to help yourself feel better;
|
| of signs that things are getting much worse, such as
feeling very depressed, not being able to get out of bed in the morning or
feeling negative about everything. Then list things to do that will help you
feel better quickly (get someone to stay with you, spend extra time doing
things you enjoy, contact your doctor);
|
| of information that can be used by others if you become
unable to take care of yourself or keep yourself safe, such as signs that
indicate you need their help, who you want to help you (give copies of this
list to each of these people), the names of your doctor, or other mental
health professional and pharmacist, all prescriptions and over-the-counter
medications, things that others can do to help you feel better or keep you
safe, and things you do not want others to do or that might make you feel
worse. |
In conclusion:
Don’t try to do everything or make all the changes suggested in this booklet
all at once. You can incorporate them into your life gradually. As you do, you
will notice that you will feel better and better.
Table of
Contents |
Previous
| Next
|
