There’s something very annoying about living with a mental illness.
You never know when it’s going to flare up and make you deal with its symptoms.
You can be happily going through life one day, enjoying your family, job, and friends. But then there are other days when you have to fight against feelings of frustration, despair, and hopelessness.
I don’t like those days. They scare me. They hold me back from accomplishing my goals and growing emotionally and spiritually.
Thankfully, those moments pass and I feel better again. And in a way, I’m grateful for those times. They remind me of how so many people feel.
There are millions (yes, millions!) of people who deal with depression each year. (See some of the stats at the World Health Organization’s website.)
I’ve got some good strategies and plans in place for when depression hits. Talking to my husband Gary, making sure I exercise, and journaling are just a few of the things I do to stay healthy.
The thing is, it’s up to me to do something when I’m feeling that way. (Please note that I’m at a stable place in my mental health journey. Some people need others to step in and do something for them when they’re in a time of crisis.)
The other day I started feeling some of those troubling symptoms of depression. I couldn’t sleep for a while one night because I started ruminating on some things that were worrying me. When I woke up in the morning, I considered skipping my swim workout (I’ve been swimming twice a week for a while now). I could probably get more done if I stay home. Swimming is kind of a pain since I have to drive there. I could just exercise at home instead.
But more than just those thoughts, I felt a wave of negativity trying to crowd into my mind. A wave that would wash away my hope if I let it.
I was faced with a choice. I could wallow in the negatives or do something positive.
So I drove to the pool, put on my goggles, and dove in!
Twelve hundred yards later, I felt much better. I was tired, but I had not given in to the negative (at least not this time!).
Whether you deal with a mental health diagnosis or not, you can probably remember times when you had to make a choice to do something so you could stay healthy. I’d love to hear lots of ideas for staying healthy: physically, emotionally, and spiritually (*See something fun related to that right after this post).
As much as we possibly can, let’s choose to stay healthy.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1–2 NIV)
Do you make healthy choices? How can focusing on God help you to choose activities that will be good for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
*I’m going to do a giveaway this week! Comment on this blog post or in my “Catch Your Thoughts with Robyn Mulder” Facebook group (private, but free to join!) and tell me one way you stay healthy. I’ll enter your name in a drawing for an audiobook copy of Life, Repurposed: Stories of Grace, Hope, and Restored Faith. (I wrote one of the chapters!) I’ll go live in “Catch Your Thoughts” and draw for the winner on Thursday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. Central. My chapter provides a snapshot of my experience with depression, but the other stories are so inspiring, too!
If you can’t wait, or you would rather have a physical copy of Life, Repurposed you can click below to order a copy at Amazon (I am an Amazon Associate, so I will get a small commission if you order through this link, but the cost is the same for you.)
I used to suffer with deep depression when I was in high school and college. It still tries to get in when I’m extremely stressed, worried, or overtired. What I do is put on praise music–either Christian radio or a playlist of my own songs that I KNOW will lift me up. I also listen and choose to believe the truths I’m hearing, even if I not up to singing along.
I know that my mind is the place depression wants to control, so I refuse to ruminate on negative thoughts. I play praise music during the day and listen to praise music or encouraging teaching at night when I’m in bed. I flood my mind with praise and truth when I’m feeling weak. Forcing out negativity with the truth of God’s promises, His faithfulness, and His love clears my mind, balances my emotions, and strengthens me spiritually. Every time.
Lora,
Praise music is a great idea for staying healthy. I’m glad it’s one of the tools you use to ward off depression. I also love the hummingbird pic you have with your post. In Sunday school today, our lesson talked about negative thoughts and how we’re either like a vulture or a hummingbird. The vulture goes out looking for dead things and finds them. The hummingbird seeks out the sweetness of nectar and it finds it, too. I’ve always loved hummers, now I’ll have one more reason to appreciate them.
~Robyn
Congratulations, Lora! You were the winner for the “Life, Repurposed” audiobook giveaway. I’ll be emailing you with all of the details so you can get your copy of the book. Thanks again for your comment! ~Robyn
One way I stay healthy is by going outside.
During our first Covid lockdown, we had wide stairs built onto the back of our house by a wonderful friend. They are also quite deep, so were perfect to sit on, in the shade or if it rains, with a cuppa.
Those stairs are now my ‘go to’ place. I sit on them and throw the ball to my dog. I sit on them and watch the willy wagtails in my yard. I sit on them and watch the clouds. I sit on them and think. I sit on them and listen to God. This is my spot where I ‘be still’ with God.
Karen,
Interacting with nature is so good for staying healthy. I’m glad you have your stairs as a place where you can go and be still with God. (I’m going to have to look up “willy wagtails” because I’m not familiar with Australian vocab. My first thought is that it refers to dogs, but I’m guessing that’s not it. I love learning about language differences all over the world!)
So good to hear from you!
~Robyn
They are a small Australian bird. Search willy wagtail video… to see them moving and hear them. They do make me smile :).
Recently, I started working out again and with that comes the aches and pains, but also a renewal of energy.
This renewal of energy also has a big impact on my mental and emotional state, which in turn gives me motivation to do more in my life.
The other byproduct of this is a refreshed spiritual outlook that I feel brings me closer to God.
Thanks for sharing this Robyn!
I agree, Don! Exercise feels hard in the moment, but it gives us a boost after we’ve done it (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). Hope you keep it up and get healthier in all of those ways!
~Robyn
It’s been my goal to get more exercise, but that gets pushed to the back burner in this busy stage of life.
My healthy is more about self care these days. I LOVE to read. Earlier this fall, I committed to “allow” time in my day to read something for fun. I look forward to this part of my day so much.
Taking care of ourselves is so important, Michelle! I’m glad you take some time to read each day and stay healthy. We all have to make sure we’re balancing the things we “have” to do and the things we “get” to do, don’t we? Thanks for commenting! I’ll enter you in the drawing. ~Robyn
Lora D was the winner for the audiobook giveaway tonight. Thank you to everyone for your comments. You’ve given all of us great ideas for staying healthy! ~Robyn
I won! I’m so excited! 🙂 Thank you so much!! Also, I love the analogy of the hummingbirds vs vultures. My mom has feed hummers for the past twenty years, and now at least 80-100 come every year! Her house is an official stop on the hummingbird route. I love to watch and photograph them. They are so amazing, and one more reminder of God’s desire for us to seek out the sweet and good in life. 🙂