May is Mental Health Awareness Month

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Take the Pledge

"We believe that these issues are important to address all year round, but highlighting these issues during May provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of all Americans whose lives are affected by mental health conditions."             National Alliance on Mental Illness

During the month of May the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as well as participating individuals, groups, and corporations, bring awareness to the mental health issues within the United States. Each year the NAMI combats social stigmas, provides support to those who are affected by mental illness, educates the public on the severity of current mental health issues, and advocates for equal care.

In the link above you too can make the stigmafree pledge to learn more about mental health, to see individuals as a person - not as an illness, and to take action on mental health issues. For other ways to become more involved, share your experience with mental illness, or become a leader in the mental health movement, check out NAMI's website for more information. 

Share mental health awareness information, images and graphics with #mhm or #mentalhealthmonth and help spread awareness for the stigmafree pledge with #StigmaFree. 

Learn more about Mental Health Month at https://www.nami.org/mentalhealthmonth

Mental Health America

Photo credit  

Mental Health America (MHA) has declared that the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Month is called "Life with a Mental Illness". MHA is promoting the use of #mentalillnessfeelslike on social media to raise awareness, calling on individuals living with a mental illness to share "what life feels like" to them. Each person's words, photos or videos that include this hashtag are being compiled and displayed on mentalhealthamerica.net/feelslike.

"Posting with the hashtag will allow people to speak up about their own experiences, to share their point of view with individuals who may be struggling to explain what they are going through—and help others figure out if they too are showing signs of a mental illness."                       Mental Health America

If you are someone who wishes to share your experience of living with mental illness, but are not wanting to be identified the link above contains a "Share Now Anonymously" button where you are welcome to contribute. MHA believes that there is power in sharing your story; in fact that doing so is the key to breaking through the misperceptions about mental illnesses and negative cultural stereotypes surrounding them. This hashtag is also meaning to be used as a resourceful connection for those who are currently struggling, aiming to show them that they are not alone in their feelings and their symptoms.

Other Resources for Mental Health Awareness

2016 National Mental Health Observances

Stamp Out Stigma

National Minority Mental Health Awareness

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

World Mental Health Day

National Recovery Month

Looking for Support?

Information for Support(ers)

Eating & Living - Recipes for Recovery

The famous question we all hear at the end of everyday: 

"So...what's for dinner?"

Ugh NOT again, right? At the end of a long day we are just too tired...drained...avoidant. We have so many things on our metaphorical plate that we struggle in figuring out what to put on our dinner plate. Meal preparation, feeding our bodies on a regular schedule, and eating "right" are struggles for many people and is even more overwhelming for those struggling with an eating disorder. This question can spark feelings of distress, shame, low self-esteem, fear, and a whole realm of other difficult emotions as those in treatment or recovery attempt to better their relationship with food and their weight. 

In today's media, where messages and advice on health and fitness are not always clear, information can become even more blurred by such a relentless and constricting illness. Not only can it be difficult for people to have a clear idea of what a relatively balanced diet looks like, but it can be even harder to put this knowledge into our daily practice. Having support in any form can be very helpful, but for those with eating disorders it is crucial. 

https://eatinglivingrecovery.wordpress.com/

Eating & Living is a recipe book for those in recovery from eating disorders. The collection of recipes has been shared by those who are also in treatment, those who are recovery, care takers, friends and family of sufferers, and health professionals - each of them having told their story as to why a recipe matters.

This creation began through the conversations being had on an inpatient ward for severe eating disorders in North London. Here, patients shared stories of the delicious foods they once loved and wished they felt capable of eating again. They would joke of crafting a cookbook, filling it with their knowledge of food and meal ideas.  An inpatient who participated in many of these conversations, Francesca Baker, recently decided to make this idea a reality. However, she wanted to take it further than just a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions and share the unique stories that are ingrained within each recipe. These meals are not exclusively about preparing food, but also about the company and memories that come with the experience of living with these disorders.

"The book communicates the message that there is no such thing as a 'good' food, but that the old mantra 'everything in moderation' still rings true." -Huffington Post

Baker presents a wide range of recipes, featuring a variety of ingredients. These meals are broadly balanced, attempting to address both the nutritional and physical aspects of the reader's recovery process. Better yet, she attempts to offer additional support and resources for grocery shopping, planning your meals, as well as the process of cooking and eating. Baker aims to play a critical role in helping others conquer the same obstacles that she has been challenged to overcome herself.

--Guidance has been provided by dietitians, ensuring that readers are confident in following these recipes

Take a glimpse what this resource entails through online previews. As if it couldn't get any better, money raised through the sales of Eating & Living are going towards B-EAT, an eating disorder charity in the UK. This organization provides helplines, online support and a network of self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders. Buying this recipe book will help both you throughout your recovery and others with theirs.

[click on the image above to checkout her page!!]

"I hope that [this] book is not only a used resource, but also symbolic of something. Testament to resilience, hope and belief that recovery is possible. Recovery is hard. But to live, you must eat." 

-- Francesca Baker

Food is A Wonderful Thing...At Least it Should Be

Food connects to many positive aspects of our lives. It is used as healthy nourishment for our body’s survival, a form of entertainment, celebration or form of social engagement with others, and for some food is considered a hobby, career, or form of artwork.

Although there are a large number of “foodies” in the United States, for many people food consumption is viewed as a bad habit,  a worrisome chore. Up to 30 million Americans (of all ages and genders) suffer from an eating disorder, 35% of “normal dieters” progress to a pathological dieting style, and eating disorders are ranked as having the highest mortality rate among other mental illnesses. For these people eating has never been a natural, healthy pleasure, but instead a dreaded or avoided experience. 

With such contrasting feelings and experiences with food, hurtful judgements are made; leading to misunderstandings of why someone restricts or overindulges in their food intake. “The Truth About Food Addiction and Other Eating Disorders,” a post written by Mike Kamo ,  discusses what food addictions or other disordered eating habits look or feel like and how genetics or specific ideologies may lead to a clinical diagnoses. He describes how an addiction to food does not necessarily mean you are compulsively eating, but that it also means being obsessed with thinking about food consumption (i.e. planning, worrying). 

So, Check it out! This blogpost is not only a great resource for understanding the wide range of causes or symptoms experienced by those with disordered eating behaviors, but more importantly it reminds readers that food can become a more positive part of our lives. Mike emphasizes the importance of maintaining an open mind while also striving to be inclusive in the ways we help people with food related issues.

For additional information on Eating Disorders, you can visit the following links:

National Resources:

• https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eatingdisorders.html
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders-new-trifold/index.shtml

Local (WI) Resources for Treatment:

• https://www.waldenliving.com 
• https://www.rogershospital.org/eating-disorder-treatment
• http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-centers/wisconsin-wi 
• http://www.anad.org/eating-disorders-get-help/treatment-centers/wisconsin/

Apps We Love

In this modern and technologically dependent time, we rarely don't have our smart phones next to us. When we're bored, need to kill time, want to connect with people, keep updated on the world around us, we look at the little phone in our laps. Convenience is key, and we rely on smart phones for the convenience of meeting our needs immediately. App development has responded to our growing needs and for each want: there's an app for that. So how about the want to feel better? 

Walden Living is online in many places: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, twitter, and this blog. Our goal is to make finding the right resources easier. So, we will be using, reviewing, and recommending apps for you to use that we actually find helpful! We'll keep updating this post as we find new apps or get tired of old ones!

So lets start it off:

Happify

This is an app I like because it feels very individualized. There is also a website: Happify.com - which advertises itself as: Cutting-edge science-based activities and games to overcome negative thoughts, anxiety, and everyday stress. The app, and the website allow you to chose a track- what do you want to work on? (some are free and some charge)

• Cope Better With Stress
• Mindfullness Meditation for Everyone
• Motivate Yourself to Succeed
• Cure Stress, the Mindfulness Way
• Conquer Your Negative Thoughts
• Bounce Back from a Breakup
• Get Unstuck
• Feel Better About Your Body
• Find Your Calling
• Caregivers: Your Wellbeing Matters
• Overcome Your Insecurities
• Build a Stronger Marriage
• Fuel Your Career Success
• Uncover Your Potential Through Mindfulness
• Get Out of a Rut
• Chronic Illness, Beautiful Life
• Mindfullness at Work: The Modern Secret to Success
• Overcome Anxiety: The Superstress Solution
• Reclaim Your Happiness
• Rewire Your Brain for Happiness
• Find Peace Through Positive Mindfulness
• Meditation: Learn to Love Yourself and Others
• Find More "Me" Time
• Relationship Turmoil Ends Here
• Happiness Shortcuts for the Ultra-Busy
• Real Happiness: The Meditation Transformation
• Happiness Starts with Self- Knowledge
• Get Tough and Know Your Grit
• Instantly Connect With Anyone
• Motivation Tricks to Get Fit
• Stop No-Win Comparisons to Others
• Defeat Loneliness
• Defeat Your Inner Critic
• Raise happy, Resilient Kids OR Raise happy, Resilient Teens
• Nurture Your Body and Soul
• Get Energized About Your Job
• Kick- Start Positive Change
• How Money CAN Buy Happiness
• Find More Love and Friendship
• Explore the Art in Happiness
• Boost Your Happiness and Spread Positivity
• Painless Parenting
• Happiness for Introverts
• Empty Nest, Full Life
• The Friendship Improvement Project

Wow that's a long list! But see what I mean when I say it feels more individualized? They also give you an assessment so they can recommend tracks so you don't have to chose- then when you've accomplished one you can switch to another! The app also sets measurable goals so you are actually working towards improving your life. Lastly, there is a good mixture of activities- so its not all meditation, mindfulness or self reflection. There are even fun games- but they always explain what the goal of the game is and how it will help you. 

I definitely recommend this app :)

Meet New People in Your Area

Have you moved to a new place recently? Have you been isolating from the outside world? Are you simply ready to meet some new people? Here are a few ideas on how to meet new friends and grow your social and support circle:

-Meetup is a great tool for joining in on activities in your area. Search through the categories  (dinner and movie, hiking, coffee shops, etc.) and find a meetup that fits your interests - see if that time works for you and commit to going! The best part about this website and app is that others in the group are there for the same reasons you are: to make new friendships.

-Local Classes: Take a fun class at a community college near you. Bond with others while developing a new skill. Try pottery making, calligraphy, cooking, ballroom dancing - you will be surprised at all of the exciting classes your community has to offer!

-Volunteer: Connect with people who have the same passions as you and feel good while helping others! Check out Volunteer Match for an easy way to find volunteer opportunities near you.

-Support Groups: Sometimes the best friendships are made with those who have had similar life experiences. Join a support group and meet people who understand your challenges. One option is NAMI connection for people living with mental illness - check it out to find your nearest support group.

-Challenge Yourself: Maybe you say hi and start a conversation with someone on the bus, on your lunch break, at the grocery store. Challenge yourself by getting out of your comfort zone. Start small - smile at a stranger or compliment somebody's shirt in the elevator. Work your way up to starting a conversation and asking a new acquaintance to coffee!