Brain Health

[Deleted member 594895]

I am nearly 50 years old. Diagnosed with schizophrenia since the age of 18.

Luckily, I have had three methods to keep my mind in its best health: writing, exercise, and math.

Writing?

In my early adult years I found within me that I just had to write a story. This was most likely from having social inadequicies growing-up and as an employed adult.

I found it very therapuedic for my mind's health as well as assuring me that "I am not stupid" though have always had difficulties socializing.

I often pull my novel (semi-published) out of my night stand and read it -remembering where my mind was when I wrote it. I would laugh or even get emotional reading it.

Exercise?

When I feel my mind is foggy I will take a 30 min walk. It blows that fog out of my brain -refreshing and renewing it.

Benefits for me are increased memory, lifted mood, better stamina, better sleep.

Math?

I authored my own gematria ciphers starting in 2010.

Every morning I wake up and open my gematria program to engage myself with it. I found that decoding them strengthens my mind (remembering math problems, time conversion, and correct spelling).

Each cipher has potentially an endless amount of hours to decode.

NOTE: I do not take gematria seriously. I just know that it has helped me pass-the-time in a healthy manner. I do this first thing every morning for a few hours or so. I recommend anyone author their own cipher.

Mind health is very important. I thought this could be a thread for others to offer their support & knowledge on this subject

 

[Deleted member 594895]

One other method I forgot...

Hydration! (my solution below)

Causes of dehydration are too much physical activity, excessive exposure to high temperatures, caffeine & alcohol consumption.

This is my recipe for lemonade I drink 24/7....

28 oz. water (it is a stanely ice straw canister. however big that is.)

2 teasp. stevia "granular" (sweetener blend / the puffy kind)

2 tablesp. lemon concentrate

3 ice cubes

NOTE: If it is too strong, back off the lemon until you get it right.

 

[M!$TER-ED]

I completely agree to a point exercise both mind and body are essential for good health. I also enjoy writing but when it comes to math my brain is not built to decipher math equations. Everyone is built differently with different fields of expertise. I love music, and my taste in music changes all of the time. I understand structure is important, it helps me stay on track in an organized way. However, there is liberty outside the norm of repetitious conduct and actions.

I like to bend the boundaries of habitual behavior by doing everyday things the opposite of what may do naturally. It may seem awkward and stupid but it will show we are creatures of habit while teaching us there is more to life than the tiny cubical we call life. There is more to living than our lifetime will reveal, don't get stuck in the routine of comfortable living. Be a rebel, go beyond your daily to do list and experience life like you never imagined.

I took up scuba diving and got my open water, dry suit and nitrogen certification at the age of 70. I loved scuba diving but shortly after my certification I injured my back and had to give it up. My point is I did not let conventional thinking get in my way of experiencing life and what I wanted to do. BTW I am also diagnosed in the schiz-spectrum, don't be afraid of life, it's all in your head what you make of it.

 

[Deleted member 594895]

@misterED

Thank you.

I agree with you on pushing boundries of human expectations.

With my current circumstances I will be lucky if mom lets me go back to college.

I have been recovering for the past 12 months -actual learning-type recovery. Last year it dawned on me one morning in my office that it was my breathing that kept me from evolving naturally this whole time.

Slow-Breathing has helped me stay calm, focused, and able. Of course I know when it is okay to get angry ("rational anger" = i lost my keys, my car has a flat, etc. "irrational anger" = i hate rainy days, i hate the scar on my face, etc).

Maybe i am being overly logical but i never had anyone tell me "how to" other than "YOU JUST DO!" with no f*cking explanation whatsoever.

I lost 40+ years of my life to schizophrenia -not to mention 30 years of therapist who wouldn't spell it out either.

 

[M!$TER-ED]

Living with schizophrenia or in my case schizoaffective disorder is not an easy life to manage. In the past I could not socialize with anyone because my symptoms prevented me from communicating coherently. I self isolated in the laundry room away from family activities because of nicotine addiction.. I just hid there away from the world listening to music and smoking cigarets, not a good way to live but it was all I could do at the time.

My advice to you is do what you can with what you've got to the best of your ability. Don't be afraid to test your limitations, they may only be in your head telling you, you can't do it. I don't know your situation or what you are capable of achieving, however, you have a responsibility to do what is necessary for good health and wellbeing.