Remaining Consistent in Spite of Setbacks

Blows, bumps and bruises: byproducts of life.  Whether physical, psychological or financial, bouncing back from being knocked off balance can be difficult for a person managing a mental illness.

Major life events, such as the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, buying a home or being fired, can send a mental health consumer spiraling up or down, depending on their diagnosis.  There may or may not be other variables involved, but since we can’t control our external environments, it is best to know, to count on the fact that sometimes we will be knocked off the smooth course and rhythms of life.

A variety of medical professionals rely on the Holmes & Rahe Stress Scale to determine ones susceptibility to illness.  This scale outlines many major life events.  By using the scale, a person can determine how susceptible they are to experiencing illness as a result of any major life event. 

For the mental health patient, this is a good guide to heighten awareness of times that can be stressful.  Of course, there will be unexpected events, but being mindful to maintain emotional balance and mental wellness is very, very important.

Imagine if you had a succession of events.  Your likelihood of anxiety, depression, etc. increases as you juggle more events.  The good news is, for the mental health patient, this is a great way to be on the offense, instead of defense, during troubling times.

Consistency is now a top priority.

Author: David Castillo Dominici

Maintain your position:  Consistently practice self-care

Consistency is so important.  Whenever we strive to reach a goal, consistency keeps us on track.  Although we cannot always control external environments, continuing the routines of wellness will help us maintain balance.  

This means, keep taking medication, keep visiting the therapist and stay the course by remaining connected to your support group.  Whatever routines you developed to achieve wellness or recovery, maintain them to simulate balance during stormy times.

Maintain your position:  Consistently seek inspiration

The number of devotional books available for purchase is astronomical.  There are so many ways to feed one’s soul/spirit with inspiration that it seems a shame not to have something in place.  Our society has a way of jumping on the latest trends.  If you, as a mental health consumer, established the practices of mindfulness or meditation, keep them in place when trouble comes.

These activities not only keep us centered, but fed with seeds of hope, inspiration, positive perspectives and strength.  What you need for each day, you will find if you seek it consistently.

Maintain your position:  Focus on the future

Major life events have a way of pulling people into past guilt and shame.  “If only I hadn’t done this, if only I hadn’t moved here…if only….I should have, I would have” -- you get the picture.  These thoughts are a great seeds to plant in the soil of failure.  Setbacks can become a breeding ground for feeling “stuck in the mud.” 

Living life in the rear view mirror forces our eyes on yesterday and yesteryear.  

 Instead, know that you can only do something about today.  Forgive yourself.

Make positive plans for tomorrow.  Lay the course for a positive direction.

Find one person who believes in you and wants to help you succeed.

Focus on the future.  Focus…focus…yes, demand your mind stay focused!

As we consistently seek better states of wellness for ourselves, we demonstrate our commitment to recovery and living in life’s solutions.  I’m not saying that we will magically experience relief.  Instead, this is a reminder that consistency will and does pay off if we stay the course.

Be blessed,

M