Last week, we talked about our thinking processes being one component of mental health and wellness. This week's activity, our final one for fall 2009, is a thinking assessment.
Week 5 (Monday, Nov 30 to Sunday, Dec 6)
Thinking Assessment
(score yourself for each statement, 1 would indicate very low while 5 would indicate very high)
· How creative are you in seeing new options? 1 2 3 4 5
· How good is your memory? 1 2 3 4 5
· How curious are you? 1 2 3 4 5
· How active is your imagination and fantasy? 1 2 3 4 5
· How well do you concentrate? 1 2 3 4 5
· How humorous or clever are you? 1 2 3 4 5
· How well do you make judgments? 1 2 3 4 5
Learning is a lifelong process, so if you are interested in staying mentally healthy, here are some strategies to consider:
· Keep your thinking cap on. Nourish your mind. Read books. Explore and experiment.
· Accept and meet new challenges willingly. Be curious. Make change an adventure.
· Control your energy output. Say no sometimes. Save some energy for yourself.
· Cultivate creativity. Try something new. Use your imagination.
The Adobe Connect session for this week is on Work and Life Balance. Please join us Tuesday, Dec 1 at noon. You will receive the information via email on Tuesday morning.
This blog includes articles on health, wellness, physical activity, healthy eating, and food safety.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Week 4 Adobe Connect session
The Healthy Relationships and Mental Health powerpoints are on the share drive at:
S:SCRegion/Camden/Melissa/Lunch and Learn Presentations
The others are on there as well.
Summary from today's session:
Healthy relationships are characterized by:
–Reciprocal responsibilities
–Mutual satisfaction
–Give and take
–Sharing
–Listening
Healthy relationships should include:
–Trust
–Support
–Honesty
–Communication
–Respect
–Shared responsibility
–Equality
–Safety
Communication is key. Friends and caring partners do the following:
–Share likes and dislikes
–Be empathetic, understand other’s point of view
–Actively listen – verbal/non-verbal
–Acknowledge other’s feelings
–Accept conflict may happen
10 Tips for Healthy Relationships:
•Be realistic
•Communicate effectively
•Be flexible
•Take care of yourself
•Be dependable
•Fight fair
•Show your warmth
•Keep your life balance
•It can be a process
•Be yourself
Mental health involves 3 things:
S:SCRegion/Camden/Melissa/Lunch and Learn Presentations
The others are on there as well.
Summary from today's session:
Healthy relationships are characterized by:
–Reciprocal responsibilities
–Mutual satisfaction
–Give and take
–Sharing
–Listening
Healthy relationships should include:
–Trust
–Support
–Honesty
–Communication
–Respect
–Shared responsibility
–Equality
–Safety
Communication is key. Friends and caring partners do the following:
–Share likes and dislikes
–Be empathetic, understand other’s point of view
–Actively listen – verbal/non-verbal
–Acknowledge other’s feelings
–Accept conflict may happen
10 Tips for Healthy Relationships:
•Be realistic
•Communicate effectively
•Be flexible
•Take care of yourself
•Be dependable
•Fight fair
•Show your warmth
•Keep your life balance
•It can be a process
•Be yourself
Mental health involves 3 things:
- Intellectual/thinking processes
- Emotional patterns/experiencing feelings
- Self-esteem/self-respect
No one has all the characteristics of mental health all of the time. Mental health does not mean. perfection. Instead, it reflects on the decision to live life openly and fully, acknowledging your limitations, and affirming your strengths.
Personal reflection on mental health:
What are your:
Intellectual patterns
Emotional patterns
Self-esteem patterns
—
Mental Health Wish List:
What would you like to be able to do?
To know?
To feel?
To learn?
Let your imagination run free, don’t limit yourself
I wish I could…..
Monday, November 23, 2009
Week 4 wellness activity
Week 4 (Monday, Nov 23 to Sunday, Nov 29)
Mental Health Inventory
· Do you feel in control of yourself?
· Can you laugh easily? Do you laugh each day?
· Can you cry easily? When was the last time?
· Give yourself a grade for common sense A B C D F
· Comment on your mental health level today.
· What are some strategies you could do to improve your mental health?
Mental health involves 3 things – our thinking processes, our capacity to experience feelings, and our sense of self-worth.
· The thinking part includes your problem-solving skills, sense of humor, creativity, curiosity, coping with problems, welcoming new experiences, decision-making, and accepting responsibility.
· The feeling part includes sensitivity, intuition, coping with emotions, motivations, and taking disappointments in stride.
· Our self-worth is all about your attitude, feeling comfortable with yourself and others, confidence, and taking life as it comes at you.
Mental health does not mean being perfect. It requires the ability to think clearly, the willingness to experience our feelings fully, and trust in ourselves.
On Wednesday, November 25, the Adobe Connect session will be on Healthy Relationships (from week 3) as well as Mental Health from this week.
Mental Health Inventory
· Do you feel in control of yourself?
· Can you laugh easily? Do you laugh each day?
· Can you cry easily? When was the last time?
· Give yourself a grade for common sense A B C D F
· Comment on your mental health level today.
· What are some strategies you could do to improve your mental health?
Mental health involves 3 things – our thinking processes, our capacity to experience feelings, and our sense of self-worth.
· The thinking part includes your problem-solving skills, sense of humor, creativity, curiosity, coping with problems, welcoming new experiences, decision-making, and accepting responsibility.
· The feeling part includes sensitivity, intuition, coping with emotions, motivations, and taking disappointments in stride.
· Our self-worth is all about your attitude, feeling comfortable with yourself and others, confidence, and taking life as it comes at you.
Mental health does not mean being perfect. It requires the ability to think clearly, the willingness to experience our feelings fully, and trust in ourselves.
On Wednesday, November 25, the Adobe Connect session will be on Healthy Relationships (from week 3) as well as Mental Health from this week.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Week 3 wellness activity
Week 3 (Monday, Nov 16 to Sunday, Nov 22)
Relationship Inventory
· How many people know you deeply and understand who you really are? Name at least one but five or six would be better.
· Look at your list of supporters and reflect on the different ways you have of letting each of these people know you.
Use this information to review your support network. A supportive network of family and friends enhances your potential for well-being by sharing, listening, understanding, and providing fellowship.
Relationship Inventory
· How many people know you deeply and understand who you really are? Name at least one but five or six would be better.
· Look at your list of supporters and reflect on the different ways you have of letting each of these people know you.
Use this information to review your support network. A supportive network of family and friends enhances your potential for well-being by sharing, listening, understanding, and providing fellowship.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Self-esteem recap
The powerpoint for today's Adobe Connect session is on the share drive at S: SC Region/Camden/Melissa/Lunch and Learn Presentations
Summary:
Self-esteem is our self-worth or personal value. It's also how we evaluate ourselves. Those with positive self-esteem feel good about themselves and have a positive outlook. Those with negative self-esteem demean and doubt themselves.
Self-esteem results from relationships/events/situations with parents during childhood, friends, peers, significant others in intimate relationships, teachers, co-workers, strangers, and the media.
People with positive self-esteem have positive characteristics associated with them, such as taking responsibility, self-motivated, good relationships, and respect. People with low self-esteem have unhappy relationships, poor judgment, critical view of themselves, and they don't believe in themselves. Low self-esteem can lead to worry, depression, use of substances, angry behavior, or eating concerns. Stress is also related to low self-esteem and the immune system may be compromised in those with low self-esteem.
Three tips for feeling good: think deeply about your feelings, look for the silver linings (positive things), and practice gratitude.
We can always improve our mental health, even if we think it is good. Building our self-esteem can lead to self-fulfillment, which is an essential part of our well-being.
To maintain self-esteem, you can do some of the following: join a support group if necessary, be realistic, make time for yourself, maintain physical health, ask for help when needed, let go of negativity (especially from your childhood), work to change things you don't like, avoid media influences of self-esteem, and surround yourself with those who care.
Summary:
Self-esteem is our self-worth or personal value. It's also how we evaluate ourselves. Those with positive self-esteem feel good about themselves and have a positive outlook. Those with negative self-esteem demean and doubt themselves.
Self-esteem results from relationships/events/situations with parents during childhood, friends, peers, significant others in intimate relationships, teachers, co-workers, strangers, and the media.
People with positive self-esteem have positive characteristics associated with them, such as taking responsibility, self-motivated, good relationships, and respect. People with low self-esteem have unhappy relationships, poor judgment, critical view of themselves, and they don't believe in themselves. Low self-esteem can lead to worry, depression, use of substances, angry behavior, or eating concerns. Stress is also related to low self-esteem and the immune system may be compromised in those with low self-esteem.
Three tips for feeling good: think deeply about your feelings, look for the silver linings (positive things), and practice gratitude.
We can always improve our mental health, even if we think it is good. Building our self-esteem can lead to self-fulfillment, which is an essential part of our well-being.
To maintain self-esteem, you can do some of the following: join a support group if necessary, be realistic, make time for yourself, maintain physical health, ask for help when needed, let go of negativity (especially from your childhood), work to change things you don't like, avoid media influences of self-esteem, and surround yourself with those who care.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week 2 activity - Self-esteem
Week 2 (Monday, Nov 9 to Sunday, Nov 15)
Self-Esteem Assessment
· In what ways does your positive view of yourself enhance your well-being?
· What are some of your favorite personal putdowns/criticisms?
· What qualities of yours do you particularly admire?
Most of us need an occasional boost for our self-confidence. Here are some ways to help improve your self-esteem:
· Talk to yourself gently. Don’t be your worst critic. Change negative thoughts or saying to positive self-talk.
· Be realistic. Avoid comparisons to others and accept your differences.
· Worry wisely. You can’t change everything. Don’t worry about what you can’t control.
· Affirm your resources. Keep your strengths in mind and make them work for you.
· Focus on what deeply satisfies you. Spend time on worthwhile people and things. Participate in things that give you a sense of purpose and worth.
· Hang in there when the going gets tough. Keep up with your meaningful responsibilities when you feel as though you are falling to pieces. You are strong enough.
Self-Esteem Assessment
· In what ways does your positive view of yourself enhance your well-being?
· What are some of your favorite personal putdowns/criticisms?
· What qualities of yours do you particularly admire?
Most of us need an occasional boost for our self-confidence. Here are some ways to help improve your self-esteem:
· Talk to yourself gently. Don’t be your worst critic. Change negative thoughts or saying to positive self-talk.
· Be realistic. Avoid comparisons to others and accept your differences.
· Worry wisely. You can’t change everything. Don’t worry about what you can’t control.
· Affirm your resources. Keep your strengths in mind and make them work for you.
· Focus on what deeply satisfies you. Spend time on worthwhile people and things. Participate in things that give you a sense of purpose and worth.
· Hang in there when the going gets tough. Keep up with your meaningful responsibilities when you feel as though you are falling to pieces. You are strong enough.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wellness activity - week 1
Here is the interpersonal needs assessment activity for week 1 (November 2 to November 8).
Week 1 (Monday, Nov 2 to Sunday, Nov 8)
Interpersonal Needs Assessment
How well are your interpersonal needs being met right now?
For each category listed, answer the 3 following questions:
What do you observe about your responses?
Do you rely on only one person? Are some of your important needs currently not being met?
What might you like to strengthen or change? Note some of your observations.
Keep the following things for getting your needs met as you review your interpersonal needs assessment.
Week 1 (Monday, Nov 2 to Sunday, Nov 8)
Interpersonal Needs Assessment
How well are your interpersonal needs being met right now?
For each category listed, answer the 3 following questions:
- To whom do you look?
- How successfully are your needs met?
- Who else could possibly fill this need?
Categories:
- Listening
- Emotional nuture
- Feedback
- Commendation
- Challenge
- Play
What do you observe about your responses?
Do you rely on only one person? Are some of your important needs currently not being met?
What might you like to strengthen or change? Note some of your observations.
Keep the following things for getting your needs met as you review your interpersonal needs assessment.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Try to depend on more than one person for your support network.
- Don’t beat your head against a stone wall. Accept that some may not be appropriate for all needs.
- Accept willing substitutes. You can find people to support you even if one important person is gone or unable.
- Don’t wait for a mind reader. You have to reveal yourself; don’t make people guess what you need.Speak up. The risk of not speaking up outweighs loneliness and fear.
Stress Management recap
If you would like to see the powerpoint presentation from yesterday's Stress Management lunch and learn, it is available on the share drive at S: SC Region/Camden/Melissa/Lunch and Learn Presentations.
Summary:
There is good and bad stress and there are different causes of stress (psychosocial, environmental, and self-imposed). Stress can be general or cumulative, as well as acute tramatic and post-tramatic. One lately recognized type of stress is related to technology.
Some stress management involves finding balance, assessing stressors, coping effectively, changing your response, managing emotions including anger, and by thinking positive.
Other stress management techniques include taking physical action (exercise, relaxation, rest, etc), seeking control of the present, laughing and enjoying life, organization, social support, spirituality, looking at what triggers negative emotions, and finding an outlet for your frustration. One technique may not work for everything so try different things.
Mindfulness is enjoying the present moment and living life to the fullest. Try to do this more and less on auto pilot.
There are many different ways to relieve stress, some are: journaling, physical activity, reading, talking to someone, crying, deep breathing, and laughter.
Check out the following resource on stress management:
•Healthy Staff for Healthy Schools
•http://extension.missouri.edu/hes/healthystaff/stressless.htm
•Mindfulness Practice Center – MU
•http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/curators/wellness/mindfulness/index.htm
•“Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky
•“Seeking Your Healthy Balance” by Donald A. and Nancy Loving Tubesing
Please let Melissa know if you have any questions.
Summary:
There is good and bad stress and there are different causes of stress (psychosocial, environmental, and self-imposed). Stress can be general or cumulative, as well as acute tramatic and post-tramatic. One lately recognized type of stress is related to technology.
Some stress management involves finding balance, assessing stressors, coping effectively, changing your response, managing emotions including anger, and by thinking positive.
Other stress management techniques include taking physical action (exercise, relaxation, rest, etc), seeking control of the present, laughing and enjoying life, organization, social support, spirituality, looking at what triggers negative emotions, and finding an outlet for your frustration. One technique may not work for everything so try different things.
Mindfulness is enjoying the present moment and living life to the fullest. Try to do this more and less on auto pilot.
There are many different ways to relieve stress, some are: journaling, physical activity, reading, talking to someone, crying, deep breathing, and laughter.
Check out the following resource on stress management:
•Healthy Staff for Healthy Schools
•http://extension.missouri.edu/hes/healthystaff/stressless.htm
•Mindfulness Practice Center – MU
•http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/curators/wellness/mindfulness/index.htm
•“Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky
•“Seeking Your Healthy Balance” by Donald A. and Nancy Loving Tubesing
Please let Melissa know if you have any questions.
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