Life Lessons with Dr. Flonnes
Of my 24 years on this planet, I've spent 1/3 of that time sleeping and the remaining 2/3 calcifying in my bedroom. Still, I've suffered a lot, and therefore survived just as much, so I feel entitled to pass on the lessons I've learned along the way.
One day I'd like to have multiple links for each "wisdom" that cater to different learning styles— articles for visual learners and videos/podcasts for auditory learners. Kinesthetic learners would be encouraged to practice techniques or repeat aloud what was explained.
Care For Yourself Like a Virtual Pet
The best way to improve your mental health is to start with your physical health. It's easy to forget, but your mind is a part of your body— and your body is you! When you want to make it to the top of Maslow's Pyramid, just like everybody else you've gotta start your climb from the bottom.
Drink Water
It's simple, but so important! An old friend once complained to me that her work was total garbage and declared she was going to start over from scratch. I countered, "is it actually garbage, or are you just dehydrated?" Once she had a drink of water and a bite to eat, she saw things quite differently.
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I really can't stress this enough. Every chemical reaction in your body is fueled by water, and furthermore it makes up 60% of your very being. You need this stuff to live!!!! If you're privileged enough to know about— let alone spend time leisurely browsing— personal websites, odds are, you have access to clean water, too. No excuses.
Tips
- Fill up a tall glass or ~1L bottle and keep it within arm's reach and line-of-sight at all times. That means picking it up and carrying it with you wherever you go.
- Upon emptying it, immediately refill it.
- Have a sip or a gulp every 20-30 minutes. Don't chug it. Like that, you just fill your bladder without getting any of the benefits.
- Speaking of your bladder: get used to peeing a lot.
- If you hate the taste... well, first of all, get well soon. But, if you really can't stand it, flavoured water was made just for people like you.
- It helps to have a water bottle or glass that you like to look at and hold, and is easy and convenient to use. Straw or no? Glass or plastic? There's lots to consider.
Breathe Deeply
Have you ever wanted to feel better instantly? For free, with no tools, no help, no matter where you are? Dr. Wenger will teach you how. His breathing techniques, Relief Breathing and Velvety-Smooth Breathing, are easy to learn and adapt into your nifty bag of coping mechanisms. Your cells need not just water but air to perform the chemical reactions that keep you alive and happy, so do your best to stay well-hydrated and -oxygenated.
Make It Easy
When you're struggling, the most basic tasks can become insurmountable obstacles. Do whatever it takes to make things easier on yourself, and vow that that much is enough, even though "easy" might be a lot less than what you "should" do or "wish you could" do.
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The rule is that something is always better than nothing. Even if it's shameful, poorly done, less than the bare minimum, so long as it's nonzero, that's effort that will pay off in the long run. Here are some things I have done during my own depression.
Examples
- Can't wash yourself? Clean up with a wet rag or baby wipe.
- Can't change your linens? Replace just the pillowcase.
- Can't brush your teeth? Rinse with mouthwash. Rub them with your finger or the same rag you used on your face. Seriously, whatever it takes.
- Oh, you can brush them now? Awesome! But you're still too depressed to floss? Buy easier-to-use dental flossers.
- Can't clean your room? Pick a very, very small, simple part of the mess and do one thing. That means wash one dish, fold one shirt, toss one piece of trash.
You can stop after doing the "easy" thing, though chances are, you'll find you've built up enough momentum to continue. The first step is always the most difficult to take, but it will get easier with practice. Take as many first steps as you can!
Be Your Own Cheerleader
Hmm... trying to organise them is pretty tough. Maybe I should just write them all out and THEN try to organise them based on whatever common themes appear...?
If It Works, It Works
If the thought that Keito Hasumi from Ensemble Stars would want you to brush your teeth is still not enough motivation to drag yourself out of bed, and you need to imagine the overworked but kindhearted bishounen literally doing it for you, then, uh, that makes two of us. Seems we have a lot in common....
Jokes aside, something like that can seriously help! Lean into whatever incentivises or encourages you, even if it's strange. When it comes to your physical health, you can't afford to let yourself deteriorate. You only get one life (one body) and then you die, so take good care of yourself.
