What helps us stay well?

Whoever we are, whether or not we experience mental health problems or mental illness, we have the same basic human needs – the most basic, I suppose, being the need for a roof over our heads, enough to eat, warmth, safety. But we all need much more than that to have a good life and to have a feeling of wellbeing. We all want to feel that we belong; that we have achieved things we can feel good about, and that we can grow as people and reach some kind of fulfilment in our lives.

Life isn’t perfect for anyone and we can all experience things that throw us off our stride – even good experiences can be stressful, and difficult ones such as loss (of work, of our hopes, of loved ones, of our sense of identity to name but a few) can be hard to weather.

It can be even harder for people who experience ongoing mental health problems and mental illness to achieve ‘well-ness’. But just as we all have the same needs, so too can we think about what helps us all to become and remain ‘well’. In Scotland, we don’t tend to have a culture that encourages our confidence and sense of self worth, although that is beginning to change.

I know that personally I’m helped to stay well physically and emotionally by having a good diet, taking some exercise, not doing things that aren’t good for me like smoking and drinking, having a sense of purpose in my life, doing things I enjoy and being close to other people. It doesn’t mean I manage it successfully all the time but I do know what helps me!

So, are there particular things that help people experiencing ongoing mental health problems and mental illness stay well? I’ve said what I know helps me – what helps you? And are there different, distinct things that (so called) mentally healthy people do to stay well that people with mental health difficulties don’t? I want to know what you think!