Functional Friday: New Year, New Resolutions

Happy New Year, friends!!! Conveniently, this New Year’s Day falls on a Friday- a Functional Friday to be exact! As we enter 2021, I have been reflecting on the rollercoaster that 2020 has been and I thought there is no better way to ring in the new year than a new blog post about a personal New Year’s resolution.

Now, I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, mostly it’s because I think of something like “I am not going to drink any soda” and end up with a Diet Coke in my hand by January 7th or "I am going to exercise every day in January"and I end up sitting on the couch one too many nights in a row. So, needless to say, I’m not the best at sticking to things; however, as I’ve gotten a little older, I’ve come to realize that I am not as resilient as I once was, my metabolism isn't what it used to be, and my eyesight isn’t getting any better. (Cue the eye-roll). With those realizations comes my resolution: To prioritize my health; both physical and mental. In all honesty, I haven’t had a physical since 2014, I haven’t had a dentist appointment in 3+ years (I know…I know… gross), I haven’t been to a retina specialist since 2016, the ONLY reason I went to the eye doctor last March was because I thought my retina was detaching, and that’s just the basis of my physical health. My mental health hasn’t been the best lately either, between dealing with miserable anxiety and the stress of working the front lines of a pandemic, some days, the only reason I want to get out of bed is because I know Grant depends on me (and what a blessing that is). I will be sharing this personal journey with you in an upcoming blog post, so stay tuned!

In working on my own personal mental health, I recently found a blog post from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, written by Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. In this post, Dr. Borenstein writes that people who are considered “mentally healthy” are often able to do the following things:

• “Enjoy life and have the ability to laugh and have fun.

• Are able to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity.

• Feel a sense of meaning and purpose, in both their activities and their relationships.

• Are flexible and adaptable to change.

• Are able to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.”

As someone who has personally struggled with being mentally healthy, I found this particular post thought provoking, especially in the context of thinking about those who experience vision loss. While my personal experience with vision loss is not to the point where it impacts my mental health (that’s other life stressors, surprisingly enough), it is easy to understand how and why a moderate to severe vision impairment can significantly impact a person’s ability to do some of the things Dr. Borenstein writes about. It’s hard to laugh and have fun when you can’t see the smiling faces of your loved ones. It’s difficult to deal with stress when you’re unable to find coping mechanisms because of your inability to see. Those with vision loss often struggle with finding meaning or purpose when vision loss can challenge your independence. It is difficult to be flexible and adaptable to change when consistency is your compensatory strategy. In a world where it is so easy to be digitally connected, those with vision loss can feel extremely isolated, making it hard to build and maintain relationships. For these reasons, it is easy to see why mental health is a huge part to consider in the realm of vision loss.

Dr. Borenstien goes on to write the following tips which are incredibly helpful in building your own mental health toolbox:

Practice self-care and make yourself a priority.

“The first step in practicing self-care is to take care of your body. In order to do this it is important to: Eat a healthy diet – research has shown that what you eat—and don’t eat—affects the way you think and feel, exercise, which can help decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods, and get enough sleep."

Disconnect from electronics and social media.

“Consider adding an electronics-free time period to your day. Taking time to unplug and disconnect from the constant stream of emails and alerts will allow you to interact with people face to face and will help reduce the many feelings of FOMO that social media can often stir-up.”

Engage in activities that provide meaning. “Partake in activities that make you feel happy, productive, and challenge your creativity. Whether through drawing, taking an exercise class, going out to dinner with friends or caring for a pet, spending quality time with those who matter to you can make you feel good.”

Volunteer. “The meaning and purpose derived from helping others or the community can enrich and expand your life—and make you happier. There’s no limit to the individual and group volunteer opportunities you can explore. Schools, places of worship, nonprofits, and charitable organizations of all sorts depend on volunteers for help in any capacity.”

Engage in meditation and/or mindfulness.

“Relaxation exercises can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calmer.”

Avoid heavy substance use. “It is important to keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Many people use alcohol and other drugs to "self-medicate" but in reality, substance use may get in the way of your ability to function at work or school, maintain a stable home life, handle life’s difficulties, and relate to others.”

Get help from a licensed mental health professional when and if you need it.

“Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. Just as it requires effort to build and maintain physical health, so it is with mental health.”

Lastly, if you or someone you love have low vision and find anyone of the above tasks difficulty to engage in because of your vision loss, seek an occupational therapy referral from your primary care physician or ophthalmologist. Additionally, continue to follow my blog for more Functional Fridays which will touch on adaptations for things mentioned above such as exercise, pet care, crafting, cooking, and many other meaningful activities!

So, in 2021, I challenge you to resolve to focus on your own mental health. There is no doubt that 2020 has been a difficult year; do not be afraid to admit that and do not pour from an empty cup.

Stay functional and fulfilled, my friends!

Love,

Ali

Disclaimer: Please remember that while I am an Occupational Therapist, I am not your Occupational Therapist. Please keep in mind, these recommendations are meant to be extremely generalized and are merely strategies that have worked for my loved ones with vision loss. Additionally, I have no affiliation or connection to any product or brand mentioned in my post.