One.
I’ve noticed that my mental health requires maintenance. When I don’t look after myself, I start to fall apart pretty quickly.
I’ve been working more than normal the last few weeks. Last week I was up against a deadline. I had to miss three runs. I barely went outside. By Thursday night I had enough anxiety that I had to consciously regulate my breathing to keep functioning properly so I could meet the deadline.
Except for inside me, everything was fine. I had nothing to be anxious about. Of course, anxiety doesn’t care about details like that.
I met the deadline. The client was happy. Friday night I went for a run. I’m fine again.
I need to be outside everyday to be okay. I take a walk with my 10 year-old daughter nearly every day. I talk a long walk with my 18 year-old once a week. I run five nights a week. It turns out, all that outdoor ambulation is essential to keeping my brain in good shape.
Get outside and move. You aren’t meant to be a caged animal.
Two.
If you don’t have a human to walk with, you could always get a naked rat bear.
Three.
This song – well, anything by Hayley Mary or the Jezabels – is very good for my mental health. What a chorus!
What are your best tips for keeping anxiety out of your head?
If you missed yesterday’s big announcement, you can read it here.
Stay healthy
Jeff
I practice stillness within and movement of body with ease and grace. It’s my 24/7 meditative way of permitting the day to unfurl in its most resplendent way.
The almost 10 year-old and I walked straight into storm Barra this evening. My jeans doubled their weight.