The Mental Emotional Health Blog

Mental vs Emotional, or Mental and Emotional

Devin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:12:18 +0000

If asked, people tend to identify themselves as more intellectual or more emotional, or a balance of the two. For those of you that are balanced, well done.

For the rest of us, the favoring of intellect or emotions sometimes can lead us to worry that the other one is a weakness. This is a “mental vs emotional” approach. Consider using a “mental and emotional” approach.

People who are deep thinkers, or just thinkers, might see emotions as getting in the way of rational thinking. That can be true. When someone is overwhelmed it is certainly difficult to maintain clear, rational thinking. On the other hand, emotions are a part of us as humans and serve as a source for enjoyment, meaning, and can also be a type of warning system. People who tend to be more emotional might frown on not being able to feel their emotions if they are mentally focused on something.

The key is to allow both mental and emotional functioning to exist together. To do this, it may as simple as giving yourself time for each. If you wake up tomorrow morning and your emotions are already in high gear, allow them to be intense for a few minutes and then acknowledge that you can step back mentally and add some rational thought to the emotions. If you have spent the day concentrating on work or other tasks but haven’t taken the time to acknowledge your emotions, slow down for a few minutes and let them in.

It is okay to feel and it is okay to think. Try to find your own balance with both.

Thanks and Sunlight

Devin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:28:48 +0000

First of all, I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers in the USA. And to all of my readers wherever you are, I am thankful each time you visit and write comments. This site is so much better because of all of you. I plan to someday add a wellness or positivity discussion board to allow MentalEmotionalHealth.com to become more interactive.

After my previous post on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), someone asked me about the lights some people use to help get them through the Winter months and the shortened hours of sunlight. Use of these special lights is called “phototherapy”, which has been shown to have some effects in counteracting the depressive symptoms of SAD. For a brief summary of SAD, check out http://www.smhca.org/sad.aspx . My previous post on Seasonal Affective Disorder is here: http://mentalemotionalhealth.com/2008/11/19/get-those-healthy-habits-down-now/ .

Take care, everyone!

Get Those Healthy Habits Down Now!

Devin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:51:59 +0000

It’s already starting to affect me this year. The last few years I have seemed to get a taste of the Winter Blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It usually isn’t bad enough to really nail my functioning and mood, but I have noticed a change already. The form it takes for me includes: tiredness with occasional fatigue, short-term memory challenges, little spurts of irritability, a little more difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, and each day I seem to either have noticeably more or less appetite.

The bad news is I’m expecting this in varying degrees until probably February. The good news is it will end and I am used to it and know what to do, and any of you that suffer through the winter months hoping for longer days can fight back these symptoms too.

Here are some ideas, pretty standard for fighting depression:

Practice good nutrition, with meals or healthy snacks every 3 hours or so
Stay hydrated with water
Go to bed 1 hour earlier than usual
Exercise lightly or moderately each day (even if it is for 5-10 minutes)
Every once in a while, change your routine slightly or try something new (such as driving or walking a different way to work than usual)
Talk with your physician or physician’s assistant now if you haven’t already, and then follow up again if you feel worse as the weeks go on
Keep paying attention to your personal hygiene and shower daily, it helps
Travel somewhere sunny and warm if you can

The important thing to remember is to not give up. Symptoms may be happening to you, but they don’t have to define you. Also, improvement is gradual so don’t expect a benefit to your efforts for at least 2 weeks.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Devin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:05:46 +0000

When you remember and use your strengths, your weaknesses become secondary.

Nature

Devin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:13:33 +0000

If you get the chance, spend some time outside this weekend. Observe and enjoy nature. Breathe some fresh air that hasn’t been pumped through vents. Take in some light that isn’t fluorescent. Look at colors that aren’t painted on walls. Listen to the wind blowing leaves around instead of the television. Take your time instead of rushing.

Choose One or the Other (Interactive)

Devin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:44:01 +0000

I decided to try something new for this entry. For some reason I like to fill out brief questionnaires and polls online. I can read, think for a few seconds, and choose an answer. This is meant to be a little thought-provoking, although this is my first attempt so we’ll see.

So in MentalEmotionalHealth.com fashion, here we go: Decide which of the two choices you would pick if it had to be at the expense of the other. So pick one as if you know you would lose out on the other choice for each topic.

Personal - Which do you value more: Integrity or Charity?
Personal - Freedom or Safety?
Personal - Which would you prefer: Facing your fears or living within your comfort level?
Personal - Which do you value more: Open-mindedness or Being correct?
Personal - Would you rather be well-liked or well-respected?
Relationships - Honesty or Consistency?
Relationships - What you need or what you want?
Relationships - Would you rather have a life-long good friend or be with your soul-mate for 2 years?
Spiritual - Which do you value more: Being part of a faith community or Your individual expression of faith?
Culture - A world without music or a world without art?
Pets - Dogs or cats or other?
Iconic Cartoon Characters - Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse?

Leave Work Emotions at Work

Devin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:58:31 +0000

There are days when it’s tough to walk out the door after work without carrying some “emotional baggage” with you.

After you arrive at work and just before you start your day, close your eyes, picture yourself in a good frame of mind for the day, and take 2 deep, cleansing breaths.
Make your smiles simple and sincere.
Send a short, supportive or complimenting email to a co-worker you enjoy working with.
Avoid listening to and spreading gossip.
Right before you leave work, or just after you get outside, mentally review the day you just had in your mind (take about 30 seconds to 1 minute). Consider the emotion you felt most often that day (whether you think it was positive or negative), and then reflect on something positive outside of work. This provides a nice transition from your work life to your personal life.