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For those of us with PTSD, there are a number of things we can do to improve our mental health despite the illness.
Accept the illness Allow yourself to see that there is absolutely nothing you can do to change the trauma(s), it is in the past now. Having said that, don't just ignore it. You can, however, do all you can to learn about your illness, find support, read and share. If necessary, take action to correct the effect of the trauma if that is possible. Be active in your recovery Research your illness, follow your mental health professional's advice, take your medications on time, attend support groups in your area. Set priorities Start to make a list of goals you would like to work towards. Sometimes we get so stuck in our illness, that we can't look beyond, or don't want to look beyond, the illness. Setting some goals will get you working on ideas, and as you accomplish them, you will find your self-esteem will be greatly improved. A goal could be to start a new hobby, start to do volunteer work if you are unable to work in a paid position at the time, and so on. As you take on new activities, sit back and look at what you have accomplished, and give yourself a pat on the back. Know your rights You have the right to be treated with respect, to say no without guilt, to make mistakes, to not need to justify your actions with actions and words. Find out also what your rights are in terms of mental illness. Quite often this can be obtained from your mental health professional, and/or your medical insurance carrier. Learn to recognize emotions For some, emotions are elusive. Many have only known happy and sad, for example. Try on a daily basis to look at a different emotion on a list of emotions for example, and try to imagine how it would feel, what would cause it, how you could change it. As you learn about emotions, you will begin to be able to deal with them and give them a name as you feel them. Use them when you use your journal. Relax Learn to relax. There are many ways to do this. You can start to use deep muscle relaxation techniques, or guided visualization. Let yourself take a nice long soak with bubbles and candlelight if you feel the need. Find hobbies and interests that allow you to relax, such as painting, writing, reading, and music, etc... Take care of your body Try to initiate an exercise program that feels right for you--this can include walks, Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Ten ways to improve your mental health in Post-Traumatic Stress is owned by . Permission to republish Ten ways to improve your mental health in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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