freeadvice

For valuable information about specific problems or therapeutic issues facing individuals and families, please click on the link below to view information from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

http://www.aamft.org/families/index_nm.asp

Scroll Down for Free Tips for Good Mental Health, Healthy Intimate Relationships, and Positive Parenting

*Special Note*

The free advice listed on this web page should not be considered therapy. There are many reasons why people have trouble implimenting practical advice into their everyday lives. If you need help, please seek professional assistance.

Tips for Good Mental Health:

1. Maintain healthy relationships with loved ones, friends, and co-workers

2. Find ways to relax regularly (meditation, walking, reading)

3. Do not procrastinate with important work or life necessities

4. Find activities that bring you meaning, joy, and laughter

5. Drink responsibly

6. Eat a well balanced diet

7. Get adequate sleep

8. Exercise regularly (at least 30 minues of vigorous physical activity, 4 times per week)

9. Get regular check-ups at your primary care physician and dentist

10. Take all medications as proscribed

11. Do not smoke!

12. Limit television watching to less than two hours per day.

13. Create a budget and put money into savings

14. Foster positive self-talk (tell yourself you are a good person, be positive and hopeful about the future)

15. Set goals for yourself (write them out and work on them)

16. If you are a religious person; go to religious services, pray, meditate, and celebrate

17. Take part in your community (join a religious congregation, special interest group, or political organization)

18. Give back (volunteer, give to charity)

19. Never stop learning (take a class, read, go to a workshop)

20. Don't take yourself too seriously... Have fun!

Tips for Healthy Intimate Relationships:

1. Take reasonable steps to maintain individual mental and physical health as best you can

2. Participate in daily rituals of intimacy (kiss goodbye, call each other during the day)

3. Go on a weekly date just the two of you

4. Have fun and laugh with each other

5. Learn each other's life history

6. Maintain healthy relationships with children

7. Maintain healthy relationships with in-laws

8. When your partner wants to talk, stop what you are doing and give your full attention

9. Learn how each other prefers to be touched (kiss, hug, hold hands)

10. Learn each other's sexual interests

11. Go on a romantic vacation at least once per year

12. Find activities that you like to do together

13. Allow each other to have individual interests

14. Be hopeful and think positivly about your relationship

15. Be patient with each other

16. Be honest with each other

17. Do not assume that you know what your partner is thinking. Ask...

18. Talk about common goals and direction of relationship

19. Create a "mission statement" for your relationship

20. Find a balance between your work and your family/relationship

Tips for Positive Parenting:

1. Be patient with your children

2. Accept your children for who they are

3. Give your children lots of unconditional love and affection

4. Participate in meaningful family rituals (eat dinner together, leave each other notes, go to the park)

5. Have fun together

6. Talk to children about your expectations for their behavior

7. Allow children to have and express their feelings

8. Provide consistant direction

9. Be a good role model

10. Have family discussions about values and morals

11. Provide support for one another in difficult times

12. Cultivate a healthy relationship with your partner or at least a respectful relationship with your ex-partner

13. Never use physical punishment

SOLUTION CONNECTIONS

Mental Health, Relationships, and Social Justice