One of the bloggers I follow (Sonyo Estavillo, https://lilpickmeup.com/)happened to note that today is World Health Day. While most of the news about it centers around physical health and access to health services, I thought I’d throw out some aspects of mental health and in particular the activities I use to help manage my dysthymia.
A throwback to some of the earliest posts from my own blog, I continue to use both digital and traditional adult coloring books as a mental reset. In particular Pigment by Pixite (http://pixiteapps.com/pigment/).[All Pigment images copyright to their respective artists]
Be it a watercolor styled sketch or something cartooney like a grumpy bear.
Pigment provides me an outlet that goes way outside of my normal activities. I’m an IT person by trade so I’m around blunt, fairly bland data all day. A bit of artistic expression is very much the opposite of my day and it certainly helps to slow myself down when things get hectic.
Despite having terrible handwriting, I still find that I enjoy the practice of writing in a journal. Sometimes it’s just ranting about the things that frustrate me, or reminding myself of my goals and the things I need to focus on, there’s something to be said for putting pen to paper and just getting the thoughts out of your head and onto print.
The last of my activities is not something I recommend for everybody, particularly if your depression or anxiety is severe. I am a target shooter and hunter. For me getting to a gun range and being able to focus on nothing but myself and the target is one of the few things I can do today where I can sink my teeth into. For a few brief hours everything else that bothers me is put aside and I am not floating about in my own thoughts but I am there in the moment. The focus on safety, awareness and precision for me is a calming thing. Obviously this particularly coping tool suites me but it would not apply to everyone.
The important thing I want folks to take away or think about today is what are the things you can do to help your current state, even if it’s just releasing a bit of the stress. If you haven’t tried something artistic, or journaling, seek out something that can hold your interest in a productive way and find a way to balance it in your total health picture.