Solutions of Hickory

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As a service to the public, the professional staff at Solutions of Hickory provides helpful information regarding various health topics. Each month we will post new articles, so please check back every month to view the updated topics, as well as archived topics. Healthy Mental Health … ….What is it? When I get asked what I ’d like to write a book on, I always say something to do with “How to have a healthy mental health? ” Why would someone want to have a healthy mental health? Is the new year an opportunity to evaluate what it is and how to get it? According to William C Menninger,MD, he defines the criteria of emotional maturity as: - the ability to deal constructively with reality, - the capacity to adapt to change, - a relative freedom from symptoms that are produced by tensions and anxieties, - the capacity to find more satisfaction in giving than receiving, - the capacity to relate to other people in a consistent manner with mutual satisfaction and helpfulness, - the capacity to sublimate, to direct one ’s instinctive hostile energy into creative and constructive outlets, and - the capacity to love. Wow!!!! What an impressive list of things to work towards. In my near thirty years of clinical experience, I have been blessed to have many opportunities to help individuals help themselves work towards attaining some of these criteria of emotional maturity. Some things that have worked on their journeys are : 1) good physical health by having positive eating and sleeping habits, a regular exercise routine, and periodic visits to a medical healthcare provider; 2) cognitive approaches by using constructive thinking (ie, have an ability to counter negative thinking, with seeing the glass half full and not half empty), and using a task-oriented vs. reactive approach to problems; 3) emotional wholeness with having a positive support system, a hobby and/or healthy way of recreation, having a sense of humor, and have ways to nurture oneself; and 4) making time for a spiritual life that includes prayer, and using the gifts our Creator has given to each one of us. One young adult I interviewed thinks healthy mental health is: “being happy with yourself and who you are, and having a mutual respect of oneself and others. ” Another young adult views healthy mental health to include “not being too much into any one thing. ” “Be eager to learn new things and have passion for something good ” were other bits of information from another adult In conclusion, if you are in search of a healthier mental health, and willing to step out of your comfort zone, give yourself permission to call a competent mental health professional. Dianne Sanford, MED, NCC, LPC

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