pixi

Since being a member on Briskoda I have noticed that some people ask for opinions/advice on matters regarding their or others mental health.

I don't need to tell most of you what I do for a living, but it's obviously got me thinking what do we do to maintain our mental health? Do people realise the impact of the society we live in aswell as our lifestyles can have to our well being? It may seem obvious but I'm talking about the little things aswell such as the benefits of exercise and the effects of a good or not so good diet, in respect to the effect on the brain. Stress is on the increase and many people are particularly vulnerable which can increase the risk of an 'episode'

So, what do you do?

I posted this in Hotel in the hope it wouldn't attract too much sillyness, but hey if it works for you then go ahead and post what it is

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Goochie

AT the end of the day your brain is like any muscle in the body, if neglected through lack of use or poor diet you'll find negative results.

I know that when I was at my last job, where I was bored for most of the day and diddnt stretch myself at all my memory was apauling.

Since starting work here, I'm pushing myself mentally everyday, the work is varied and stimulating and I an constantly working with numbers in my head - at the last place I found myself doing 7x2 on a calculator!

I find that good diet, exercise and a decent ammount of sleep are what you need.

pixi

You have a valid point Gooch, exercising your brain is important for cognitive functioning, I would like to know what people do to maintain mental well being though

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Goochie

Whats the difference between what I said and "maintaining mental well being" though ?

pixi

It's not so much a difference but a little side step

I'll give you an example of what I do.

Exercise and eat healthy, although I'm no saint with both.

Take part in reflection and supervision sessions at work to air any problems I may be having, whether work or personal, to beat any stress that may be building up.

Maintain a healthy balance between work and home life, although this can be a challenge with both our lifestyles now.

Do things I enjoy,

Don't take illegal drugs,

Keep alcohol to what's deemed as sensible levels etc etc

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ncarring

I have no real formula - I try to eat well, don't drink alcohol during the working week normally, try and get lots of sleep, but I'm still stressed. What do the professionals recommend?

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

philc

I often wonder the same thing, and I heard it summed up superbly the other day, "pressure comes from outside, stress comes from inside". So, it's your reaction to what's going on, rather than what's actually going on, that decides how you react.
My main thing is taking time out. Do something that isn't work, and that stops you thinking about it. A bit of gardening, some hard work at the gym etc.
Stress seems to have set off my diabetes, so I'm trying to avoid it these days, by reacting in a more measured way to the pressures of life.

Phil

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"A good diesel, like a good whisky, should be strong, smooth and slightly smokey"
<--respectful gap-->

Goochie

SWMBO is one of these people who stresses and worries about silly things. Personally I say there is no point worrying about what you cant change, and also try and have a laugh as much as possible

Where I work there is a lot of work to be done and several people find is stressful, they worry about what will happen if they dont get the work done, they worry they wont be able to empty their in-tray.... butits the same for us asll and there are only so many hours in the day - so whats the point in worrying? They wont do any less work if they're not worrying, in fact they may even do more.

Personal confidence is a big thing, and that varies from person to person - I think that is influenced by many factors including how your parents bought you up, your child/teen peer group and what (if any) hobbies you had as you grew up.

robmawer

Cigarettes.

Oh, or did you mean health professionals...?



Rob.

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tinkerbell

I tend to put my problems into little ‘boxes’ and deal with each one in turn, they then don’t seem as big a problem to tackle and you can sort of cross each one out when it’s sorted and move onto the next.

I also believe that lack of sleep is incredibly detrimental to your state of mind and how you deal with day to day issues/problems that you may face. I have been known to manage on maybe 3-4 hours sleep a night, but the effects on my mental and physical well being were shocking to say the least and not noticeable to me until after the event

I also think that if someone is facing problems/issues that are causing them stress then they need to talk them through with another person, whether that be a partner, doctor or whatever, it could help put things into perspective and find a solution.

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All you need is trust.......and a little bit of pixie dust!!!

(and a fine hunk of a fella too )

ncarring

I get a good 8 hours of sleep a night, but somehow that never seems enough. I don't want to fall into the vicious cycle of sleeping to combat stress (a la CFS) so although I think a good night's sleep is important, I also think it's important not to try and hide by sleeping. Not sure I'm making sense to anyone but myself ...

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

Gwilo

A holiday in the sun with no mobile, no internet, no distractions and in case of flights of fancy (like driving up as afar up a mountain as roads will permit) a megane scenic with all the seats bar driver and passenger removed, inflatable double mattress and a couple of cotton bed sheets.

Works wonders.

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heresmo

IMO most stress symptoms give rise to physical problems (usually headache, shoulder or back pain; leg pain if standing a lot), and most pain symptoms equally give rise to stress. It's worth trying to sort out which is causing which IMO.

After that, just remember the person who you think you really are, or perhaps more particularly the forward-looking person you are or used to be? Work out all the things that make you happy and keep them in your life, or get them back into your life

All just my thoughts
Mo

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Moose

Apparently, stress is the last thing that diabetics need. It can affect your BGL quite dramatically, but then I suspect I don't need to tell you that. But when I found that out, I immediatley tried to chill out as much as possible, or drive the long but empty route to keep myself sane at the wheel on my own.

I think people's mental health isn't helped by jobs and managers that demand everything yesterday. It's also bad for productivity in the workplace. But the busy life that everything in todays society demands creates pressure on you to be the best, to do better, rather than enjoy life. Do many parents say well done at getting a few C's on A levels, well done because they got ****ed every weekend instead of studying and getting B's? I bet not many parents would. Its social engineering at its best and the trouble is, too many people cannot cope and its no wonder. I really am not suprised by the high number of sucides that occur so soon after school exams, the pressure was there to get 12xA's at GCSE, yet they got 11 and a B. In everyone's eyes, they are a failure and what makes it worse is when they get told it. Same happens at work, you are asked to produce 100 units in that day, but its your first go and you get 90 done. Instead of a well done, you get a yelling at and when you can do the 100, they want 110, then more and more. Every single job demnds this, how many burgers can you produce in a day, how many calls can you take etc etc. Nothing wrong with self improvement, but people try too damn hard to be the best rather than do their best.

Just my mini take, I could go on and on and on....

Oh and I was looking for a new job due to stress, now I tell the managers that I've done my work and I'll the best I can and will hang up on them if they call me to have a go. Seems to have worked, I get a lot more respect from them. Still can't stand the place though.

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Sunlight Silver MX-5 1.8 Sport

ncarring

Moose:

Reeeeeespeck!

This is one of the times I almost wish the reputation system was back.

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

Schern

I eat crap, and get no exercise at all, but I am rarely stressed. I get ****ed off sometimes, but the majority of stuff just slides off me. If I get a bit down, I tell myself to snap out of it, or doing something fun for a bit, and then I'm back to normal. Am I just lucky or horrendously insensitive?!

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gillywibble

A loving SWMBO, great kids, cute animals, good music, regular exercise, a nicely decorated house, beer at weekends and don't take sh*t off anyone.

Oh and a decent motor too.

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I drink, therefore I spam.

Jonny5ive

Good Point. Ultimately YOU have a CHOICE not to work there though

I agree, the same goes for friends, colleagues, Managers, direct reports etc. we as Human Beings are not good at telling each other that we did well.

Did a course with work not so long ago and one aspect of it has stuck with me more than the rest.

Everday life can be put into three increasing size circles.

CIRCLE ONE the smallest: WHAT I CAN CONTROL
CIRCLE TWO (outside circle one): I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL BUT I CAN INFLUENCE
CIRCLE THREE (outside circlce two): I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL OR INFLUENCE BUT I CAN CHOOSE & CONTROL MY RESPONSE

Helps me tackle problems in any number of areas of work & home life

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THE FULL 8mins 39sec

ncarring

ONE - whether to have a petrol or diesel car
TWO - Nope struggling there - take the bus more perhaps
THREE - Tony and George decide to invade Iran next ...

Sorry

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

20VLIL

I hope this doesnt sound silly in any way. I work full time and when I'm not working I am looking after my 11 month daughter. My wife works full time too.
Time on my own is seldom and being a grafter I can only do certain jobs when my wife is at home...which are weekends,and surprise surprise I work some weekends too.
I sound like a sad so and so but the only way I can stay sane is to look on forums and local forums to "cut off" from these hard strains. Its my only break...that and a few cans of course.
I used to suffer quite badly with stress in my late teens but went to counselling which isn't always successful... I have a demanding job also..I feel everyone has their own coping mechanism and reading through I can say few of those would work for me...but, interesting all the same....Interesting topic Pixi

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NIGHTFIRE BLUE SUPERB COMFORT 2.5TDI V6!!!
**NOW SOLD**

Loz

Schern

Yeah, I wasn't bestest at school, but I'd really like to be a teacher... however you need a degree for that

I find music is good for chilling out. Again, I'm a bit of a weirdo. Angry and heavy calms me down (Pantera, Korn etc) Sad cheers me up (Radiohead) and happy makes me angry and want to kill people (Steps, S Club 7, and all girly boy bands Grrrrr).

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Moose

This may sound odd, but music helps me relax in the car and van. I just chill out with my driving and sing along to things like Steps, Abba etc, doesn't wonders for the stress levels.

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Sunlight Silver MX-5 1.8 Sport

Jonny5ive

ONE - whether to have a petrol or diesel car
TWO - Petrol or Diesel fuel prices - YOU are not able to control them, but you can influence where you buy it from
THREE - Tony & George decide to invade Iran next.....

HTH

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THE FULL 8mins 39sec

ncarring

Yeah that was my thought for 2. as well - but then I thought no, they all put the prices up at the same time anyway ...

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR