How to Improve Mental Hygiene

Improved hygiene is self-actualizing. You know what self-defeating mental hygiene means, but you just can't explain it. Well that's not so odd! Now "checkup" on your thoughts about thinking right and maintaining better mental imaging: your mindset (how you think and act) works as many different good or bad attitudes and mental images or ideals? But what does that mean?

Steps

Don't hold grudges. If you find yourself remembering and visualizing an old wrong someone did or said, immediately stop, and think of a new pleasant thought. Forgive and forget.
Tell yourself: "That was then--and this is now." Which means "I've gone on to something new and I don't need to even think about that anymore."
Dump the "junk" out of your conscious thoughts. Cleanse your mind--do not be double minded.
- Say "I forgive that." or "I will not hold onto that anymore." Try to forgive old wrongs quickly. Say so!
- Declare it! "I forgive that!" and then go on as if you do forgive it.
- Don't entertain bad thoughts. Clean up your speech and your thoughts.
- Say, "I reject that thought!" You can actually say that to yourself--even say "stop it" to yourself.
Accept yourself and your circumstances. Try to appear to be less flustered by major or minor events, and soon you will be.
Be kind to your enemy! Your revenge interferes with your peace of mind--force or fights will not change anger to peace of mind!
Avoid blaming others but rather take responsibility for anything that you could have handled in a better way.
Avoid being, thinking and talking negatively but help paranoid people, or you stop being paranoid yourself, and stop laughing off paranoia or stop believing that you have super clear hearing (If only a few words are clear then it very well may be your imagination.) or that you have it all figured out.
Doubt your hearing and your sight, doubt your negative interpretations of what you "heard" or "saw;" ignore subtle actions of others.
Admit that people will treat you better when you do not accuse them of "bad mouthing" you or opposing you.
Assume that no one will think that you're odd if you:
- act calmly--when others are going off half-cocked;
- remain quiet--when you feel like raging;
- avoid erratic behavior--don't act shocked, shake your head, whirl about, giggle (for no apparent reason);
- avoid rambling speech--get back on topic;
- do not glare and grimace at people-smile a little;
- do not wear a dumb grin--wipe that grin off your face;
- do not argue or accuse people of insults, etc. in a public place.
Avoid publicly laughing or "cursing" for no apparent reason or talking to yourself--or muttering and giggling in public--but if you do, then look to see whether anyone is looking at you inquisitively and "say excuse me I just thought of something" and chuckle, but don't explain!
Enjoy "talking back" to your the TV (in private); or call a talk show, or cheer for a ball team on radio or TV, and argue with the nuts' opinions on the radio talk programs or news and commentary, etc.
Hang up the phone and calm down when you get angry or insulted, feeling hurt--calm down and then call back nicely and pick up the conversation with; "We go cut off!" Well, you did and it helps sometimes.
Stop looking over your shoulder constantly. Have you seen a guy walking down the street who was repeatedly looking back and around in an anxious manner. That looks strange right... Maybe he had good reasons, but most likely it was fear or paranoia (not totally composed at that time anyway).
Realize that your attitude makes a great impact and that frowning, cynicism, sarcasm and fatalism is a kind of craziness, which may be self-defeating and is "dis-humor"--so lighten up.
Find an activity that seems worthwhile to accomplish and get busy.
Help someone that has less than you and wants some help; this helps your mood and your self-concept and you are acting sane! One hour at a time!

Tips

If you are depressed, in a black funk or losing your will to keep trying--make a "todo list" and pick something easy to do first--then something a little harder--to build up your enthusiasm and feeling of success and achievement.
If you are alone and lonely-- it should help your mood--to get out among people:
- get a book at the library; buy one at a used bookstore or thrift store.
- do some light and sensible socializing, especially if you're not up to it--so do what you can to be personable.
Strike up some fun and fairly serious conversation (not dominating it) some place, instead of messing around by yourself all day long--get out and about!
- go to a coffee shop; or to the donut, bread or pastry bakery; try an eggs and waffles place;
- get a light lunch at a "deli" with tables or at a salad bar, burger or sandwich shop;
- buy an apple or a banana at a farmers market;
- purchase one or two small items that you can use at a variety store like a "dollar store."
Call a family member or a friend, but be cheerful and positive minded. Plan for holidays and such with them or any such event.
Be generous and be grateful for what you have for opportunities...
Lower your stress by starting an exercise program like walking at a shopping area or a market or a park; get fresh air and improve you blood pressure. Vigorous activity can make you feel lively and boost your mood and help ease the tensions of your day.
Learn to play a guitar quickly and learn something new every day or every week. Make a list of things you want to do before you get "too old" to get out and about (learn how to swim, go fishing or learn a craft).
Go to community college or teach yourself so you get the thrill of learning something new and share it with others too.

Warnings

Avoid dishing out insults--like "I bet you were pretty when you were young!"
Make sure people are willing to chat and to accept your talk, so you can joke and tease with people in a check-out line and whoever is working the register in the store or cafe, etc.
Never expect any object in return--when you give and bring a little bit of light into someone's life--that would be bad mental hygiene for you.
Don't be "jealous" when you select and give a small gift to someone who needs cheering up--like expecting thanks, begging for compliments, or for hugs or kisses--but only visit a person that is worse off than you (like at a residence-home for the elderly) so that it will help you to feel an accomplishment.

Related wikiHows

TO FIND OUT MORE CLICK HERE:
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Improve Mental Hygiene. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

EHF- Mental Health & Autism

Monday, 15 November 2010