Mental Health Archives - The Road To Mental Wellness

I will never bend to it’s will

I will never bend to its will, to my mental illness. These things help me stay on top of the fight
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Just days ago I celebrated my forty-fifth birthday. With another year tacked on in this one way trip, I can’t help but reflect on my life. I suppose natural as we age and as far as I can tell, it’s a good thing.

Of course, I find my first thought being that of, “where did the time go.” I mean, man, I’m keeping close to living half a century.

Even though many people find this though stressful, I, on the other hand am damn lucky to be here. For I have very nearly opted to end my life-long struggle with my taxing mental pain. However, I often here myself saying, “I will never bend to its will.

By this I mean, I will keep fighting depresson’s speak, anxiety insistence that it wants to be my friend, and PTSD, well, F@#$ you too! Luckily, I have built a great support system, both through personal connection and professional help.

Ways to alleviate mental illness

It goes almost without saying that this is the foundation for my resolve; because of them, I will keep moving forward. At the same time, I know that I may never escape from the long arm of my mental health conditions; it’s imperative that I am honest with myself about that. Yes, I will have episodes of depression, traumatic episodes too, but I accept that.

The question for me then became; How do I manage these mental illness episodes?

Much to my relief, it turns out that a lot can be done.

For starters, exercise is what I call mother nature’s medication for me. Hitting the gym four days a week is an amazing mood booster. Not only does it boost my mood, it gives me energy to boot.

benefits of exercise

Read:You can’t ignore PTSD

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What this does for me is hold me accountable to ensure that I will never bow to its will, this painful thing called mental illness.

Additionally, I have found mindfulness to be a lifesaver in a sense; although I must admit that the noise of the outside world overruns my attempts to be “in the moment”. Despite this, I find it successful when in low to moderate stimulation.

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Perhaps one of the most beneficial things that help me cope is a good diet. Despite knowing that, on the surface, I know eating well is good for you; I personally failed to see just how well a balanced diet works to alleviate mental illness symptoms… It really is transformational.

So, there you have it, the three main tools I implement to minimize my depressive and PTSD episodes. Why not try for yourself and see?

Lemonade Stand III

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Jonathan ArenburgLeave a comment

Have I figured out the meaning of life?

Have I figured out the meaning of life? When battling major depression this is what keeps me going.
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As humans, it is in our nature to question our own existence; I mean really, why are we here? I suspect that the answer is a difficult one for many to uncover. However, I also have my suspicions that there’s more than one answer to this question. Perhaps it’s as individual as humans themselves?

From my perspective. the answer has somewhat come to light over the course of my lifetime. With that said, my answer may not correspond with other people’s definition. Regardless, it bears thinking about. And I thought it might be helpful to share.

The meaning of life, or at least as I understand it, has come to me after continuously battling mental illness. When coupled with my brain’s tendency to be in overdrive nearly every moment of every day, I was bound to reach a conclusion at some point.

How you ask? Interestingly, I have decided on its meaning, not through a dictionary definition, but rather, the instability that comes with a horrible dread of a depressive episode. Likewise, I posed this question during the more peaceful moments in between.

How to manage a depressive episode

Truth is, if I had not contemplated the meaning of life both in my darkest hours and at my happiest times, I believe the answer would have alluded me; quite possibly for the remainder of my life.

firstly, as most people with depression can attest, one is often stuck ruminating over why they are even here in the first place. Similarly, they can often question the point to it all. I know I do; frustratingly so, it occupies my neurocircuitry whenever I suffer a boat of major depression.

Negative self-talk and depression.

The beauty of this darkness? I actively seek to answer the question; what’s life’s purpose?

This question often crosses my mind organically, no matter my mental state and thankfully, I’ve come up with a conclusion that I think many may agree with.

Looking for help? Try our Mental Health resources page

So, without further ado, here goes nothing: Have I figured out the meaning of life?

“Humans have a beautiful ability to connect to one another in a very significant form of kindness.

At its core is a little thing called Love. This emotion, with the strength of gravity, pulls us towards those whom we have a “Humans have a beautiful ability to connect to one another in a very significant form of kindness.deep affinity for.

But connection and love are more than just mere feelings, they are natural survival mechanisms that have allowed humanity to form families and social networks. Because of it, we have survived for thousands of years.

Because its strength is so strong, so undeniable, it is the very essence for life itself”.

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I believe that this is the formula for the meaning of life. Love, connection and unity equal stronger, longer and more robust relationships. In my view, this is a beautiful gift.

Think of it, when we have this formula going for us, we are much less likely to feel lonely and isolated. Personally, I find that when I do a gratefulness inventory, my episodes of depression seem to be shorter.

Finally, while I know firsthand that major depression can feel really lonely and isolating, I also know that I do have many strong connections and thus many reasons to ride the wave of mental illness. The people I have in my life are truly amazing! So, Have I figured out the meaning of life? You decide.

The Road To Mental Wellness – The Book

Cover reveal

I am excited to announce that I will be revealing my first book cover in mid-January. Called The Road To Mental Wellness, it chronicles my lifelong battles with mental illness. It’s goal? To help others by telling my story…. Check back for updates. However, if you would like to see it sooner, simply subscribe to The Road To Mental Wellness email list and I will be more than happy to send you the exclusive first look at it.

Note: The Road To Mental Wellness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Note: The Road To Mental Wellness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Lemonade Stand III

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January 9, 2021January 9, 2021

Jonathan ArenburgLeave a comment

My Social Healing Network.

When the pandemic struck, my social healing network became my friendships I forged on social media
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Have you ever been in a room with someone, and for some unexplainable reason, you just felt awkward around them? It’s as though there is some unseen force at work. To me, if kinda feels like you’re both two like poles that naturally repel one another; each party doing their upmost to avoid one another.

What makes this unsee force so interesting to me is that it can happen instantaneously. We’ve all been there, am I right? All you want to do is make a run for the door whenever you and that person must interact.

Under those circumstances, it’s unlikely that the two of you will become close friends. However, that’s not always the case.

The Impact of connection

While this can make a night out a bit more stressful, thankfully, there are those whom we can instantly feel a connection. Instant attraction, romantic or otherwise can end up cultivating a kinship that guide both parties through the toughest times in their lives.

The Importance of human connection

In these most uncertain times, I would argue, that because we are more isolated than ever, its become more important to find meaningful connection and make an effort to stay connected.

Thankfully, we are also living in the internet age; a time when we can interact at any moment of the day and in real time. This was an impossibility only 25 years ago; and even more of a challenge before the advent of the telephone.

As rough as times are today, just think of those who had little to no connection in the days of ole. Oftentimes, when tragedy stuck, one’s social connection network stood a good chance of being wiped out by illness. Nowadays, medical science has made this notion a rarity.

Lists of disease that have been eradicated by science

Social media can be a good thing.

The one thing I love about the internet today, it can in fact, be a healer for many. Peculiarly for people who are suffering from a mental illness. Mainly, social media and video chat. Although social media has its well documented dangers, like all things, there’s good and there’s bad.

Now that we have established that human connection is fundamental to our well-being, both mental and otherwise, I want to share why it has been a lifesaver for me.

My Social media peer support

Anyone with PTSD and depression can tell you that it can be pretty isolating. I have been known to disappear into the perceived safety of my bed often and for long periods of time. An ever-increasing occurrence now that we have limited contact. However, I am able to pull through it, why? Well, in part because of the human connections I have made on social media. Those individuals who are also suffering similar afflictions.

Because The Road To Mental Wellness is an internet based mental heath advocacy page, I have had the opportunity to create a social media network with some amazing people. What’s more, I have made that “Instant connection” mentioned above.

MY SOCIAL HEALING NETWORK. — Photo by Gabby K on Pexels.com – My Social healing network

Being that most of my work is internet based, I enviably have to use multiple social media platforms if I am to help as many people as I can. In the process of spreading the word about my blog, an unexpected consequence arose.

Astonishingly, these instant bonds online were more than an isolated incident. This discovery of like-minded people would provide me with more than just words in a messenger app or a smile on zoom, they would become part of my healing network. Or, as I like to call it, my social healing network.

My online friends have saved me from when depression speaks, from the desire to end it all because of PTSD’s nightmares,’ sudden anger and heightened startle response. Without them, I hesitate to say where I would be.

I can only hope that my support and outreach has done the same for them. To you all, I owe a huge “Thank You”!

Books you may love

THE ROAD TO MENTAL WELLNESS – THE BOOK

Cover reveal

I am excited to announce that I will be revealing my first book cover in mid January. Called The Road To Mental Wellness, it chronicles my lifelong battles with mental illness. It’s goal? To help others by telling my story…. Check back for updates. However, if you would like to see it sooner, simply subscribe to The Road To Mental Wellness email list and I will be more than happy to send you the exclusive first look at it.