May is Mental Health Month

Some wonderful person (my fairy godmother? An admirer? Hanover County's Mental Health Association?) sent me the coolest poster this morning in celebration of May being nationally recognized (since 1949!) as Mental Health Month. The poster, 31 Ways to Wellness, features a fabulous "tip-a-day" of little things we can all do to keep an "even keel" and get the most out of life. Here are the first ten. Why not start doing these today? What have you got to lose?

1. Call or e-mail a good friend. Having good relationships, studies suggest, can mean the difference between happiness and unhappiness.
2. Reminisce about something hilarious you've seen or done. Laughter really is the "best medicine" - it boosts your immune system.
3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise increases brain blood flow, releases "feel good" hormones and even lowers stress.
4. Hold doors open for people. "Paying it forward" - even with a simple gesture of kindness - leads to less depression and better overall health in those "paying."
5. Swap your normal cup of joe for decaf. Cutting down on caffeine leads to better sleep, which leads to more production during the day.
6. Spend 10 minutes on a funny website. Whether it's a joke meme or those silly LOLcats (one of my favorites), studies have shown that laughter lowers pain sensations, reduces anxiety and dcreases production of stress hormones.
7. Eat a salad for lunch or dinner. Diets rich in fruits, veggies, lean meats and limited fats can boost both your overall mood and your immune system.
8. Take care of your spirit through religion, meditation, or connecting to what you find meaningful. Spirituality not only improves your outlook on life but lowers anxiety as well.
9. Identify the positive aspects of a challenging situation or circumstance. If you "ac-cen-tu-ate the positive" as the old World War II song tells us to, you tend to be less upset by difficult memories or situations.
10. Take a 10 minute break and go for a walk. Small breaks will help clear your head and lower your stress levels. Physical exercise is good for your body, mind and spirit.

You can view the complete 31 Ways to Wellness calendar here.
For more information on mental health and well-being, visit Mental Health America (click "Continue to Site" from the first page) or the Hanover Mental Health Association.