028: My Top Five Mental Health Tools: New Needs after Deaths in the Family

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, let’s explore how we can bolster our mental health. Each of us is at risk for the debilitating impacts of mental health struggles. In this episode, discover Joan’s top five mental health tools and how her mental health needs have shifted after the death of her mom and sister.   As I was out in my car, I heard bits and pieces of an interview on Colorado Public Radio with Adam Cayton-Holland discussing his tragic-comic memoir about dealing with his sister’s suicide. In talking about the book, Tragedy Plus Time, Adam talks about how mental health is something that requires constant awareness.   “I look at everything through the lens of: How is this going to affect my mental health?”- Adam Cayton-Holland   I also came across Amy Porterfield’s episode about dealing with depression on her Online Marketing Made Easy podcast, in honor of World Mental Health Day, October 10.   As we are doing important work, it’s worth having conversations about how we can bolster our mental health… the foundation for everything we want to be and do.   I wrote a book: Tuning In to Inner Peace: The Surprisingly Fun Way to Transform Your Life   Feel calm and lucky in any situation Nature as healer Exercise as stress reducer Say “no” to anything that doesn’t feel like a fabulous fit Ask for help   Saying “no” more: Car mechanic Job interviews   With the loss of my sister and my mom in the past two years, I saw how asking for help or not asking impacts not only your life, but those around you. With my main conversationalists gone from my life, I had a void.   Proactively reaching out for help: Got a loan Got my teeth cleaned Got vision insurance and went to the eye doctor Got my flu shot Took my car to the mechanic Took three-day jaunts to Glenwood Springs to swim in the hot springs pool Bought fresh juice for a juice cleanse Got a massage Interviewing for a business coach and virtual assistant Went back to weekly drumming and singing lesson More proactive about calling friends   Goal: Build a personal care plan that includes the human contact, love and s