Wasatch Women's Alliance for Mental Health Care Professionals: December 2008

Simplicity can't reign very well in your life if you have untreated mental or physical health problems. And how you take care of yourself must be sustainable. It makes no sense to begin a vigorous exercise program and a monk-like diet if you are going to abandon it in two weeks or two months. You will need to integrate health into your daily routine for life.

TACTIC: See qualified health professionals about an exercise, dental hygiene, and nutrition program that you can sustain. See a doctor and get a physical exam first. The exercise program must be realistic: it should involve activity that you enjoy doing so that you will continue doing it. Your goal is to get a lifetime diet and exercise routine, not a quick fix or a fad. If you've carefully chosen a place to you live ("Optimize Your Place"), you may be able to routinely walk to work, school, shopping, or other activities. This builds exercise right into your regular schedule. Your shopping day may give you a chance to go for a long walk throughout your neighborhood, combining exercise with accomplishing errands. Be willing to try different exercises. Your local YMCA probably offers many different kinds of exercise classes. Consider dancing as a social activity and exercise. Consider using your lunch or break periods at work for walking or see how you can integrate exercise into your routine.

TACTIC: Seek professional help for depression or mental distress. Depression is an illness that can limit a person's enjoyment of life. One of depression's symptoms--reduced ability to make a decision--will hobble plans to simplify your life. Just as your regular routine may involve visits to a doctor, your mental health routine may also involve regular treatment or regular counseling and support groups. Contact you local mental health department or agency.

TACTIC: Quit smoking and the misuse of alcohol or drugs. Probably nothing is going to complicate your life than an addiction to tobacco or drugs. Seek help to end any dependence you have.

TACTIC: Keep to a fixed sleep pattern by waking up at the same time each day. Getting up at the same time will make your life a whole lot easier. Your body will adjust, and you'll be able to wake without aggravation. You may recoil at the thought of getting up on your days off at the same time you have to get up for work. If so, ask yourself--if I can get up at 5am for someone else, why can't I get up at 5am for myself? You'd be surprised how much more time you have on weekends to follow your interests when you make full use of all the time you have. You'll also be surprised how getting up at 5am consistently isn't difficult at all.

TACTIC: Tell the truth. If you were a Boy or Girl Scout, go back and look at the pledge you took. You probably pledged to keep yourself mentally, physically, and morally fit. No matter how corny or trite, pledges of integrity keep your life simple. Lies will complicate your life beyond measure. A lie can easily grow into a series of lies to cover up the first lie. Make a decision now to always tell the truth, even in the most mundane situations. Bowled a 45 and golfed a 192? Tell someone the truth. If you find yourself telling someone anything incorrect, correct it with them as soon as possible, no matter how awkward or no matter what the consequences. Avoid lying to make yourself or others feel better. You might be surprised how much simpler your life can become by following what might be considered "old-fashioned" advice.