Warning: Packets out of order. Expected 1 received 0. Packet size=128 in /var/www/wp-includes/class-wpdb.php on line 2345 James Donaldson on Mental Health – 6 Habits That Support Mental Health – James Donaldson's – Standing Above The Crowd's Blog
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James Donaldson on Mental Health – 6 Habits That Support Mental Health
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Dealing with poor mental health can be hard, but thankfully, there are a few habits you can introduce into your daily life to support it.
Here are six habits that support mental health that you can start utilizing today:
Getting Enough Sleep
When it comes to having poor mental health or experiencing struggles, many people tend to overlook getting enough sleep. But sleep is good for you! It’s when your brain repairs itself, regulates your emotions and processes what happened that day.
Without enough sleep, you’re going to be waking up off-kilter and that can throw your whole day off, leading to anxiety, mistakes, and in some cases, bad decision-making, such as using alcohol or drugs to cope with stress.
Make sleep a priority by going to bed at the same time each night, waking up at the same time, avoiding midday naps (if you can), and reducing your social media consumption before bed.
Exercising Regularly
In the same vein as getting enough sleep, experts at the Mayo Clinic also recommend that you get “…at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, spread out over a few days or more.” Not only can routine exercise help you release some stressful emotions, but it also releases endorphins, which can put you in a better mood.
Examples of moderate aerobic activity include walking, swimming, and riding a bike, whereas vigorous activity refers to jumping rope, hiking, dancing, and strength training.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Staying hydrated isn’t just good for you physically, but did you know it can actually boost the production of serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and helps you feel good. If you don’t drink enough water, your brain has a hard time creating serotonin. For staying hydrated, a general rule of thumb, per WebMD, is for men to consume 13 cups of water per day, and women nine. Keep in mind these numbers could vary based on age, weight, pregnancy, breastfeeding status, climate, and more, so always confer with your medical team.
Staying Connected With Friends
Experiencing poor mental health can feel like all your emotions are tangled and all tied up together in a huge ball. When you connect with friends, however, that ball gets smaller, as the strands get unfurled.
In other words, connecting with others can work wonders on your mental health by making your emotions feel less overwhelming and intimidating. While texting may be the norm, nothing beats a face-to-face conversation, so try and schedule a quick lunch or game night with friends a few times a month, if you can.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems.”
Limiting Time on Social Media
Social media isn’t just a time-sink, but it can lead to increased feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and isolation. Think about it: how often have you opted to scroll aimlessly on social media instead of picking up the phone to chat with a friend or go outside?
Social media, while sometimes necessary and helpful for work or staying connected with those who live far away, can ultimately lead to more harm than good. If you want to have a better handle on your mental health, cut back on how much time you spend on these apps. Utilize an app like AppBlock, which blocks out social media, or just set aside one day per week where you keep your phone off or notifications blocked.
Journaling
Last but not least, you should introduce journaling to your life, as doing so can help support mental health.
Journaling allows for total freedom. You can jot down your thoughts in a judgment-free zone, decorate your pages, write in a leather journal or a Google doc, or write inside your home or outside at your local park. By journaling, you get to put your thoughts to the page and that’s what makes them less confusing or intimidating.
These are just a few tips you can utilize to support your mental health. Getting started is the hardest part, and look – you’ve already done that! Way to go!
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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