Tips
Continued from Page 8
bring wholeness and a sense of
belonging and purpose borne
of positive human connection.
Loneliness is being called “the
new smoking.” Research sug-
gests that togetherness with sup-
portive others reduces stress and
anxiety, strengthens the immune
system and improves sleep qual-
ity. Toxic relationships can do
the opposite.
“Relationships get into our
psyches,” Lindsay said. “We
need to be thoughtful about our
relationships.”
Other lifestyle factors affect-
ing mental health include diet,
tech habits, sleep, alcohol and
drugs, and learning to quiet the
mind. Getting enough exercise
is key.
“Exercise is good all the
time, whether or not you are
struggling with mental health
issues,” Lindsay said. “Exercise
is good for our brains and good
for our body.”
One’s outlook on life can
likewise affect mental health.
“Our brains are so power-
ful. Outlook impacts so much of
how we feel,” Lindsay said. “It’s
as simple as walking down the
street and smiling or not smil-
ing. Every time you smile, you
release a little bit of dopamine
or serotonin. Your brain knows
something good is coming.”
People who laugh more tend
to be healthier and live longer.
Making a purposeful decision
to smile and be a little cheerier
can pay big mental health divi-
dends. Research even suggests
that doing nice things for other
people boosts one’s own men-
tal wellness. Start your spouse’s
car when it’s cold outside. Bring
cookies to the office.
“Try doing one nice thing
every day for 10 days,” Lindsay
said. “You’re just going to feel
better.”
Another topic researchers
are investigating involves how
screen time affects our mental
health. Results are, so far, incon-
clusive about whether technol-
ogy is a bane or a balm. One
study, examining the tech hab-
EO Media Group/E.J. Harris
Friends Justin Farrow, from left, Andrea Brobst, Cody Nash and Matt White carry on a conversation
Jan. 17 at a table at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co. in Pendleton. Research suggests that togetherness
with supportive others reduces stress and anxiety, strengthens the immune system and improves
sleep quality.
EO Media Group/E.J. Harris
Acosia Red Elk, left, teaches a yoga class Jan. 17 at Wellness Wave in
Mission. Diet and exercise are key to maintaining good mental health.
its of 120,000 kids, found that
a few hours using devices actu-
ally seemed to improve well-be-
ing. Other studies, such as one
released recently, found a rela-
tionship between screen time
and higher teenage suicide rate.
Lindsay doesn’t pretend
to have the answer, but says
unplugging regularly can’t hurt
and will most likely help. Medi-
tate. Do yoga. Stare out the win-
dow. Whatever.
“Just disconnect. Go off grid
for 15 minutes,” she said. “Lis-
ten to music while you drive.”
Psychology scientists, she
said, are starting to look at the
importance of daydreaming and
giving your mind a break from
thinking. People aren’t letting
their minds roam these days,
she said. Children don’t have
as much free time. Regular day-
dreaming can help people try
on different scenarios for size
and imagine themselves in vari-
ous roles. Lindsay isn’t an all or
nothing sort of person. Moder-
ation, she said, is good when it
comes to most things in life. She
said an example of healthy liv-
ing can be found on the Greek
island of Ikaria.
She referenced a New York
Times story, “The Island Where
People Forget to Die,” that tells
of a Greek man who lived in
the U.S. for most of his adult-
hood, but returned to his island
to die after learning he had lung
cancer and only six months
to live. There, he reconnected
with childhood friends, spend-
ing hours talking and sometimes
sharing wine together.
He went on leisurely walks
and didn’t worry about time,
since few wore watches there.
His diet included homegrown
vegetables, olive oil, beans and
a moderate amount of alco-
hol. He started feeling better.
Decades later, the man remained
cancer free.
The island, designated a Blue
Zone for its abundance of cente-
narians, has lessons to teach us
in regards to mental health.
“They’re eating healthier.
They’re walking,” Lindsay said.
“They let things go.”
When talking about mental
health, those are words to live
by.
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