Connection Brings Hope, Part Four: My Journey to Wellness
A six-part blog on my journey through life with a mental illness and how my peers,
plus mental health professionals, gave me a new outlook on life.
By Dionna Riccio
My journey to wellness didn’t start until my mid-twenties but now that I am here, I practice healthy habits every day.
Don't get me wrong, it’s extremely hard to practice wellness when you’re in the midst of a bad mental health episode. But for me, it’s a force of habit to get up and begin wellness.
I’ve been on medication for almost three years now. I make sure that I take it daily, otherwise, I know the consequences of not taking it for my overall safety and well-being. I also never miss a therapy session unless it’s urgent with my Nurse Practitioner. I engage in daily exercise by either going to the gym or taking a walk every morning or evening by myself or with others. I feel as if my day goes into a more positive outlook if I engage in exercise first thing in the morning. I try to eat healthier, as I don’t feel too good about myself if I overeat or eat bad foods for my body.
In addition, I have always loved to journal pretty much about everything and little things at the same time. I daily reflect on what I am feeling and what my symptoms are and behaviors I am engaging in and how that makes me feel, etc. Journaling is my form of certified wellness. I track every mood, every deep spiral of depression, and every hope that I can encounter. Having self-reflection helps to keep me in check if I am being honest about how I am each day and when I may need help to get back on track -- to remind myself that things can get better.
One of the biggest things for wellness and my mental health is being honest when I am feeling suicidal. Especially when I don’t want to, because being honest about how I am feeling and if having worsening symptoms, to be able to get the right help I need to prevent a further attempt which could lead to hospitalization or tragically, death, if not treated effectively is important. This can always be done through my therapist but also friends and people that I trust. I am forever grateful I have these people in my life where I can be honest and not feel ashamed about what I am going through while getting help if needed. Talking it out helps me see the light and a new perspective. To see the light in the darkness is something I would have never thought could happen to me, but here I am.