How to Health

So, health is one of those things, you know?

It's something where people have it good, have it bad, or have it somewhere in between. Some have lots of problems or little very little. Whatever the case may be, there is one simple fix to getting the best health. Here's my secret:

Listen to "Cloud 9" by Jamiroquai.

It will solve all your problems. Trust me. I'm a stranger on the internet.

Jokes aside though, mental health is something that's becoming more or less a common topic nowadays. I, for one, am suffering the full effects of bad health, both mentally and physically. Here's a list of my health:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Elhers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Extreme Depressive Disorder

Those are my core four things. The Horsemen to my very own apocalypse, if you will.

CFS, EDS, anxiety, and depression like to piggyback off one another.

The former creates a lot of fatigue all the time, exasperated by any form of stimuli—be it mental, physical, and so forth. For example, a drive to the shops, buying food, and returning home will make me have to lie down for hours. Or sometimes merely stressing about something one night could be enough to cause me to have extreme fatigue the next day.

EDS is something different. It causes hyper-flexibility, which has a lot of problems. My rheumatologist says it explains my constant full muscle pain, my frequent join subluxation (dislocation followed by instant reloctation), my joint pain, and all that jazz.

Anxiety and depression are more of the generic type that you expect: Irrational fear of stupid things, like people judging you over nothing, having to please people, fear of abandonment, yadda yadda yadda, and the depression causes fear, dread, and lonesomeness. In the past, when unchecked, it has sent me into suicidal episodes. Keeping my mental health in check is difficult when my physical health doesn't provide energy to do so, but yes, that should give you an idea of what is going on. So, what's the whole "How to Health" thing about? Let me tell you, stranger.

So, after seven or eight years of these things, as well as my many life experiences, I have a small guide to how I survive. These can't always apply to everyone sadly :( but here's how I do the whole health thing.

Get a good doctor or general practitioner.

This one is important because this can be the base to your health foundation. I am so very lucky to have found an amazing GP who cares and has given me hope for future treatment. I used RateMDs to find a GP in my area, and yes, it is worldwide. I can only speak for Australia, as we have pretty good healthcare here, but try different doctors if you can. Doctor shopping is good.

Learn to find your limits.

This may be one you've heard a million and six times, but you've heard it a million and six times for a reason. It's very important! This is probably more a worst case scenario, but here's what happened last time I didn't work within my limits: I had a seizure and was hospitalised... twice. My body hates any sort of stress. It will just "nope" out and have a seizure if and when it doesn't like how things are going. It's a spoiled brat in that regard. Not saying you'll have a seizure if you don't take care of yourself, but what I am saying is that finding your limits, and working within them, will ultimately help you progress more than just pushing hard.

It's the whole Tortoise and the Hare thing. The Hare had to rest and was beaten by the Tortoise. Don't be the Hare, don't bollock yourself around. Be the Tortoise, go slow and win your own race of life.

Get a counsellor or psychologist.

In a nutshell, a psychologist has saved my life—more than once. And I mean that in a literal sense. And they have helped me with my mental health as much as dealing with the stress that the physical heath puts on my brain. Even in Australia, psychologist shopping is a hard one because you get tied down to one if you get the free visits and they're expensive to see when you're not getting 10 free visits. But generally, psychs know what they're doing, as do counsellors (who can be accessed for free in Australia quite often). If you are a youth in Australia (up to 25 years old) then try Headspace. They offer GPs, counsellors, psychologists, and more—with no out of pocket expenses. They're amazing!

Here's the best piece of advice I can give: Learn to say no!

It is REALLY important. I have seen that more often than not, younger people tend to feel obligated that they must say yes to everything. I have noticed that kindness, helpfulness, and empathy are very widespread, but if you are struggling, and you need to recuperate and get your own help, then do not compromise it by helping someone else. If people had a "how much are you worth gauge" then everyone would be at 100 percent. Everyone is worthy of help, but in a world with over seven and a half billion people, online and phone counseling services, widespread doctors, many helpful individuals in your community, and much more, you don't have to do everything. If you are struggling, please look after yourself first. Direct them to someone who can help. Always take care of yourself. You're worthy of that help, too, and the closest person to helping you... is you. This is one that is close to heart. Be your own best friend. <3

In a nice and family friendly WordArt format, the above text will be my last bit of advice to you all!

I hope that everyone will take away something from this. I have a lot to share with everyone. I always advocate for self-development, self-care, and self-love. It's something that is everywhere already, and I want to do my bit to help.

Thank you for reading. <3