Recovering from Mental Illness: Creative and Conventional Self-Care
Yes, we have all been told that self-care is instrumental when recovering from a mental illness. We have probably been told that we need to eat a balanced diet, sleep eight hours a night, drink enough water, exercise on a regular basis, form positive relationships, frequent our psychiatrist, reach out to others in the community, take our medications, practice yoga…The list goes on. Extensively. It is worthy of a 1,000 page book. Conventional Self-Care I like to think of conventional self-care as prescribed self-care. It is as important as the prescriptions you take to find or maintain wellness. As stated above, the list of self-care recommendations are numerous. Let’s focus on a few. Forming and Maintaining Relationships Some of us are lucky enough to have a fantastic support system. A family who understands the illness, and a partner who is educated on it. But not everyone who is diagnosed with a mental illness has an internal support system. That is why it is important ...