Rate your current mental health level out of 10

[EVERLAST]

Speaking as someone who had suffered from severe depression in the past and reading allot of these responses I have a few suggestions to offer.

I find men in particular suffer in silence preferring to not let on that things aren't great.

Here's the thing and I've been there. Sometimes your in so much pain that you resign yourself to it being the only comfortable place you know because anything else is just alien, different , frightening and unknown.

If you have been suffering for a while and haven't spoken to someone please contact a mental health specialist

Nutrition....please make sure your eating healthy. There are an abundance of places making prepared heat and serve meals .

Supplement nutrition. For anxiety, depression there are allot of natural Supplements available in which studies have proven are more effective than prescribed anti depressants.

Cold plunges// showers . I started doing these in February and they've been a game changer. The health benefits alone can be seen by watching Dr Andrew Huberman on you tube.
Wim HOF on you tube as well.

Men's groups at churches . Talk with your pastor. Go to church if just for thr message. Churches don't condemn those searching for hope and who want something better.

If you have a problem with drinking AA has hundreds of meetings in Calgary every week.
If it's drug related NAA

If you suffer from abuse from someone in addiction there are groups for that as well.

If you want to talk I can also be a resource. I can help facilitate some broader discussion towards research to help you help you.

We're all in this together guys and gals.

Pm me anytime. I want to help

[EVERLAST]

I love this clip from a good movie....it's true.

https://youtube.com/shorts/X29THk_iq...6-uJS-IsLLpW8k

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Speaking as someone who had suffered from severe depression in the past and reading allot of these responses I have a few suggestions to offer.

I find men in particular suffer in silence preferring to not let on that things aren't great.

Here's the thing and I've been there. Sometimes your in so much pain that you resign yourself to it being the only comfortable place you know because anything else is just alien, different , frightening and unknown.

If you have been suffering for a while and haven't spoken to someone please contact a mental health specialist if you can afford it

Nutrition....please make sure your eating healthy. There are an abundance of places making prepared heat and serve meals . - so, extra money

Supplement nutrition. For anxiety, depression there are allot of natural Supplements available in which studies (how legit are these studies?) have proven are more effective than prescribed anti depressants. - so, more money

Cold plunges// showers . I started doing these in February and they've been a game changer. The health benefits alone can be seen by watching Dr Andrew Huberman on you tube. isn't he a dude bro scientist who is backed by supplement companies who rely of very thin evidence based research? I'm sure it's also very expensive to follow his plan. These science bro dudes seem to make a lot of claims of what cold shower therapy can fix and not much of it seems to be supported by actual science.
Wim HOF on you tube as well. Wim hof seems to be mostly full of crap. If it was real there would be results replicated in contolled studies.being a fluke of biology doesn't make his "methods" legit.

Men's groups at churches . Talk with your pastor. Go to church if just for thr message. Churches don't condemn those searching for hope and who want something better. -It may offend, but screw the church, .

If you have a problem with drinking AA has hundreds of meetings in Calgary every week.
If it's drug related NAA

If you suffer from abuse from someone in addiction there are groups for that as well.

If you want to talk I can also be a resource. I can help facilitate some broader discussion towards research to help you help you.

We're all in this together guys and gals.

Pm me anytime. I want to help

Good for you, but I have a few issues with your heath suggestions.

[Monahammer]

There are also many non-religiously affiliated men groups to join. Personally, I think service groups are the best way to go about this- fraternal order of eagles, or Lions for example. Really, these organizations provide a safe space and community that allows you to open up and get close to people while also helping out (which generally improves my mental health significantly).

Fine post by Everlast but wanted to mention that you can find non-religious men's groups too.

[RichieRich]

EVERLAST - thanks for your suggestions.
They provide a good general framework and list of potential things people can choose from. Not everything will work for everyone but knowing options helps lots of people. Some people would rather find problems for every solution.

And to answer GordonBlue - yes there are effective OTC supplements that have been proven to help. Like any drug some are more effective for some people than others.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

There are also many non-religiously affiliated men groups to join. Personally, I think service groups are the best way to go about this- fraternal order of eagles, or Lions for example. Really, these organizations provide a safe space and community that allows you to open up and get close to people while also helping out (which generally improves my mental health significantly).

Fine post by Everlast but wanted to mention that you can find non-religious men's groups too.

The Stonecutters?

The Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes?

We need a group that drinks beer, eats ribs and throws axes!

[PepsiFree]

I think the idea that “eating healthy = more money” is a crutch that people use to justify bad eating habits. Fast food and poor choices aren’t all that cheap anymore, this isn’t the US in the 90s. The problem is that people over complicate it, over eat, and convince themselves that the convenience is worth the negative cost.

Beans, rice, other grains, seasonal or frozen fruits and vegetables, canned tuna or ground pork.

On a per-meal basis, meals made from the above are going to be cheaper than most other food you can get. Even if you can only afford absolute trash, a pot of rice and beans is healthier and cheaper than a box of KD.

Healthier eating is achievable on any budget and can absolutely benefit both your mental (and obviously physical) health.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think the idea that “eating healthy = more money” is a crutch that people use to justify bad eating habits. Fast food and poor choices aren’t all that cheap anymore, this isn’t the US in the 90s. The problem is that people over complicate it, over eat, and convince themselves that the convenience is worth the negative cost.

Beans, rice, other grains, seasonal or frozen fruits and vegetables, canned tuna or ground pork.

On a per-meal basis, meals made from the above are going to be cheaper than most other food you can get. Even if you can only afford absolute trash, a pot of rice and beans is healthier and cheaper than a box of KD.

Healthier eating is achievable on any budget and can absolutely benefit both your mental (and obviously physical) health.

Throw in Chickpeas as well.

They are fairly cheap.

I have a few curries curries in rotation that are veggie and have them in place of meat.

And I am a lazy cook

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Eating healthy is absolutely not head and shoulders more expensive. And if you do it right, can in fact be cheaper than a sugar/carb/processed foods-heavy diet.

Lots of cheaper veggies in the produce section, some of them of the "super food" variety. If you're feeling lazy, a pre-made salad costs less than a pack of muffins, pastries, or other carb-heavy snacks

Saurkraut and yogurt are very good probiotics that cost similarly or less than cereal.

Even the lowest tier brands of eggs will contain as much in nutrients in a few yolks than you'll get from some of those $20-30 multivitamin gummies. Literally, four eggs in the morning will help you meet a lot of daily values on nutrients that people supplement for.

Go into a dollar store now and they have freeze dried/dehydrated fruit chips for less than a dollar apiece, as well as some other healthy brand items.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Locke

The Stonecutters?

The Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes?

We need a group that drinks beer, eats ribs and throws axes!

You jest my friend, but the order of the Elks is a big one in St. Albert, and is essentially the water buffaloes. Which i am pretty sure was actually modeled on the original Lions' club.

I was part of a Fraternity in university. I still see those guys and use that organization for this purpose occasionally. I just think it's important for those who abhor religious institutions (like myself) to know that community and friendly ears are available in plenty of venues that don't require your prostrate obedience. Most service orgs these days have seen membership plummet too, so they are very, very happy to see new people join and are earnestly looking to build community themselves!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

You jest my friend, but the order of the Elks is a big one in St. Albert, and is essentially the water buffaloes. Which i am pretty sure was actually modeled on the original Lions' club.

I was part of a Fraternity in university. I still see those guys and use that organization for this purpose occasionally. I just think it's important for those who abhor religious institutions (like myself) to know that community and friendly ears are available in plenty of venues that don't require your prostrate obedience. Most service orgs these days have seen membership plummet too, so they are very, very happy to see new people join and are earnestly looking to build community themselves!

Well I was kidding, because I am not generally a 'joiner,' but I understand that Lions' clubs and Legions, etc. are a very good outlet for some.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think the idea that “eating healthy = more money” is a crutch that people use to justify bad eating habits. Fast food and poor choices aren’t all that cheap anymore, this isn’t the US in the 90s. The problem is that people over complicate it, over eat, and convince themselves that the convenience is worth the negative cost.

Beans, rice, other grains, seasonal or frozen fruits and vegetables, canned tuna or ground pork.

On a per-meal basis, meals made from the above are going to be cheaper than most other food you can get. Even if you can only afford absolute trash, a pot of rice and beans is healthier and cheaper than a box of KD.

Healthier eating is achievable on any budget and can absolutely benefit both your mental (and obviously physical) health.

Taking an hour or so away from screens to focus on a manual task like preparing food also has mindfulness benefits.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Taking an hour or so away from screens to focus on a manual task like preparing food also has mindfulness benefits.

So true. It's usually my favourite part of the day. Throw on some music, mix a drink, try out a new recipe that I saw online

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

There are also many non-religiously affiliated men groups to join. Personally, I think service groups are the best way to go about this- fraternal order of eagles, or Lions for example. Really, these organizations provide a safe space and community that allows you to open up and get close to people while also helping out (which generally improves my mental health significantly).

Fine post by Everlast but wanted to mention that you can find non-religious men's groups too.

Big shout out to the Independent Order of Oddfellows because I am pretty effing odd, weird handshakes and 19th century language aside we keep the community hall going in Ladner for the Irish dancers, the karate club and the yoga mums to use and in Vancouver we feed the homeless as an extreme cold weather shelter

If there is one thing that keeps my mental health in a good space its being able to help others, do good = feel good for me

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Eating healthy is absolutely not head and shoulders more expensive. And if you do it right, can in fact be cheaper than a sugar/carb/processed foods-heavy diet.

Lots of cheaper veggies in the produce section, some of them of the "super food" variety. If you're feeling lazy, a pre-made salad costs less than a pack of muffins, pastries, or other carb-heavy snacks

Saurkraut and yogurt are very good probiotics that cost similarly or less than cereal.

Even the lowest tier brands of eggs will contain as much in nutrients in a few yolks than you'll get from some of those $20-30 multivitamin gummies. Literally, four eggs in the morning will help you meet a lot of daily values on nutrients that people supplement for.

Go into a dollar store now and they have freeze dried/dehydrated fruit chips for less than a dollar apiece, as well as some other healthy brand items.

Sweet potato is one of my goto's now as well. I toss them in the air fryer but can just roast them then blend them up into soups, etc. They're pretty good for you and cheap. Don't mean to derail too much but some good advice here

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by btimbit

So true. It's usually my favourite part of the day. Throw on some music, mix a drink, try out a new recipe that I saw online

To each his own

I put on a rugby game I have recorded and watch listen to that.

But a pint is key

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think the idea that “eating healthy = more money” is a crutch that people use to justify bad eating habits. Fast food and poor choices aren’t all that cheap anymore, this isn’t the US in the 90s. The problem is that people over complicate it, over eat, and convince themselves that the convenience is worth the negative cost.

Beans, rice, other grains, seasonal or frozen fruits and vegetables, canned tuna or ground pork.

On a per-meal basis, meals made from the above are going to be cheaper than most other food you can get. Even if you can only afford absolute trash, a pot of rice and beans is healthier and cheaper than a box of KD.

Healthier eating is achievable on any budget and can absolutely benefit both your mental (and obviously physical) health.

And drink lots of water. It's incredible how much of a difference being properly hydrated makes.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Throw in Chickpeas as well.

They are fairly cheap.

I have a few curries curries in rotation that are veggie and have them in place of meat.

And I am a lazy cook

What’s the difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Yamer

And drink lots of water. It's incredible how much of a difference being properly hydrated makes.

Still amazed how much I hear "I drink coffee" in response to comments about the importance/benefits of hydration.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think the idea that “eating healthy = more money” is a crutch that people use to justify bad eating habits. Fast food and poor choices aren’t all that cheap anymore, this isn’t the US in the 90s. The problem is that people over complicate it, over eat, and convince themselves that the convenience is worth the negative cost.

Beans, rice, other grains, seasonal or frozen fruits and vegetables, canned tuna or ground pork.

On a per-meal basis, meals made from the above are going to be cheaper than most other food you can get. Even if you can only afford absolute trash, a pot of rice and beans is healthier and cheaper than a box of KD.

Healthier eating is achievable on any budget and can absolutely benefit both your mental (and obviously physical) health.

The set up and initial costs of eating healthier is higher (ie: several hundred in costs to stock up a pantry and then a few hundred every few weeks to top up perishables) than eating unhealthy on a per meal basis (ie: Ordering out at $20-40), but once you get started up, the average cost per healthy meal is lower than the unhealthy meal (ie: Total costs to stock up pantry divided by total meals prepared.

I've chatted with some people only to realize that they somehow literally believe that smaller and more manageable payments is more financial prudent and responsible than occasional spikes in their spending. I don't get how they come to that conclusion, but I've run into people that believed this more than once.