# MHApps Take Control – Lifestyle – Importance Of Lifestyle In Recovery – Stress Communication Diet Exercise Drugs Alcohol

Lifestyle
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- Life Style There is a growing body of opinion that mental health is not solely an internal matter. It is not just an internal imbalance in the individual, but also depends upon external factors in their environment. People who experience poor mental health can adapt to stressful environments by establishing strategies for coping with events and situations in their daily lives.
  If we accept this, then improving each individual’s experience is likely to have a positive impact on their mental health and well being. Many people have developed their own strategies for coping with poor mental health, and perhaps the most important part of developing these is accepting that we are all different and need to find out exactly what suits us best as unique individuals. Engaging in this process is itself likely to bring positive benefits in terms of feelings of empowerment, of being in control of our own lives, and accepting responsibility for our own mental health.
  Some people have found it useful to have a “daily checklist” to help them identify their needs, especially their emotional needs, in order to avoid becoming unwell or distressed.
  This may include:
  · Talking to people you can trust, about the way that you feel
  · Making sure you engage in at least one daily physical activity, perhaps going for a walk, or just doing something active that you enjoy, painting or writing for instance
  · Eating and drinking sensibly
  · Keeping in touch with your friends
  · Asking for help and support if you think that you need it
  · Taking a break and relaxing at regular intervals in your day
  · Recognising your own limitations, and striving to improve your own patience and understanding
  · In short, doing things that will help you to feel good about yourself and who you are
  There will also be things that you may want to avoid. Different people find different situations stressful. Find out what causes you anxiety and unease, and try to avoid these situations. Be aware that there will be times in your life when you are likely to be particularly vulnerable, when a close friend or relative dies, for example, or if you are in a relationship that is going through a bad patch, or if you have recently moved home or are starting a new job. If you find that you are feeling insecure and afraid, try to engage your natural resources like family and friends to help, by providing support, understanding and common sense suggestions.

- Take care of your physical health. Be aware that there are often long-term physical health problems associated with certain medications. Have a regular physical check-up. Join mental health support groups in your area and ask what other people have found useful.

- There is a wealth of practical knowledge that can be gained from other people’s experiences of managing their own mental health issues. They may have ideas and strategies that you can use or adapt. If you do even a few of these things you will find that you are building your own inner resources that you can call on in times of stress or crisis. You will also build valuable external resources and supports, people who will be there when you need them and services that you can choose when to use. You will in fact be building towards recovery, which is a process whereby you travel towards finding your best self and becoming comfortable with the person that you are. (Extract from Medication, Lifestyle and Recovery. Schizophrenia Ireland)

Lifestyle
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