Flow 5/1/2011 Issue 8

                                                     

Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. This month of May we are taking a look at some simple actions we can take to get our mental health on a better path.  First before we get started, this month is not meant to replace professional psychological advice nor should it be used as a substitute for seeking assistance for serious problems such as depression.  Psychological Well Being Issue 8 I’m a huge believer in taking actions to affect our attitude.  We sometimes get so caught up in our minds that we do not make significant changes, but wallow in our emotional problems.  We are going to be looking at actions that can help change our emotional states from the outside in. Use the mornings as a time for yourself.  Set the alarm fifteen minutes early and enjoy the silence of the home while eating a healthy breakfast, exercising or meditating. Make lunch for the next day in the evening and when eating said lunch get out of the workplace whenever possible.  Find a place of beauty and calm, or a place filled with people whichever makes you happier.  Never cram food in your mouth while you sit at your desk. Make connecting with friends a priority.  Nothing beats face to face interactions no matter how “busy” we claim to be.  We need to make that choice to spend time with people we care about. Choose to read, write, draw, or dance as a way to not only be creative, but also to be active.  Active minds are more resilient. This week slow things down and take time to appreciate all the things in your life that are going quite well.  Health, employment, love of family or friends, safety, all these things we take for granted.  Choose this week to pay attention. Lastly, and I can’t recommend this enough, is to keep a very safe, secure journal.  Journaling allows us to get things out of our heads, explore ideas, and reconnect with ourselves.  There are only three rules to journaling: never let anyone else see it, write consistently about whatever pops into your head, and NEVER let anyone else see it. Journaling is raw thoughts that do not need to go through our usual filters of society.  It is extremely important that others do not see these thoughts as we are nowhere close to that amount of honesty in our relationships.  This journal is for us to reflect and think and organize, not to show and tell.  I would also recommend not to do this online or in the form of a blog.  Once something is out in the ether of the internet, it cannot be withdrawn. Nathan Jackson Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: The #happiness Daily This week’s book recommendation is: Pocket Sudoku by Will Shortz Sign up for the weekly newsletter. Support Flow		Flow Suggests: 5/1-5/7 2011 Climate Change and Grass Roots Organizing Environmental, Psychological Well Being, Community www.sustainableballard.org Monday, May 2, 2011 4:45-7pm   Visualization Tools for Sustainability Environmental, Community Tuesday, May 3, 2011 9am-5pm www.sustainableseattle.org Susan Freinkel: Plastic, Plastic Everywhere Environmental, Cultural, Material www.townhallseattle.org Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm

Flow Issue 7

                                                     

Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. Psychological Well Being Issue 7 This week we are taking a look at some simple actions we can take to get our mental health on a better path.  First before we get started, this week is obviously not meant to replace professional psychological advice nor should it be used as a substitute for seeking assistance for serious problems such as depression.  Please consult professional counselors as they will have the tools and experience to help with the individual needs of their clients. Why are we not happy even when to the outside world we look as if we have the dream alive and well?  Many times it is simply that we have bought into the idea that material wealth is the same as mental health.  We know this is not true in our hearts. Firstly, diet is one of the best indicators of psychological well being.  Eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrients we need on a daily basis sets up our minds to function properly.  First step to feeling better mentally is to check on your physical nutritional needs. Secondly, our body and our mind are connected.  Lack of adequate exercise is a major cause and contributor to mental malaise.  Simple exercises such as walking for fifteen to twenty minutes a day can be a good place to start. Our minds need to be used in order to feel good.  One of the best ways to occupy our minds is through games.  Puzzles such as Sudoko, crosswords, word finds, video games, and card games have been shown to not only stave off mental erosion, but also to heighten brain function. Lastly for this week is the power of healthy relationships.  We as a social animal need connection.  Healthy relationships are based on: mutual respect, affection, trust, shared goals, or other positive attributes are hugely important to our overall mental health.  Interestingly enough, relationships can be meaningful whether they originate in workplaces, families, or friendships.  Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: Seattle Counselors Association This week’s book recommendation is: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Dr. Howard Cutler Sign up for the weekly newsletter. Support The Flow Campaign		Flow Suggests: 4/24-4/30 2011 Backyard Habitat class--Water Features for Wildlife Environmental, Psychological Well Being www.sustainableballard.org Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7-9pm   Tim Flannery: Here On Earth Cultural, Environmental www.townhallseattle.org Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm   The Agony and The Ecstasy of Steve Jobs Cultural, Material Well Being http://www.seattlerep.org/ Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:30pm