Overcoming Schizophrenia

Recently, I've had to revise my medication schedule. For the last two months I've had problems staying asleep, and I've been talking to my mental health doctor under monthly basis to resolve my poor sleeping habits. On the last visit we discovered I was taking one of my prescriptions at night when it should've been taken in the morning. In fact, my pill bottle said to take the medicine in the mornings, but I wanted to change my medication regimen for my convenience. However, I'm going back to a morning routine. I will set my cell phone alarm as a reminder to take my medicine before I leave the house. I am hopeful that this change will help me sleep better. It's interesting how small changes can either create big problems or solutions. I think my sleeping patterns will improve along with my energy level and ability to manage high productivity at work. How do you manage your medication regimen to fit within your routine?

For National Recovery Month I created a personal self-care plan to enhance my recovery, I labeled it my "Optimal Wellness Challenge." My goal was to take my meds each morning at the same time, to journal, and to practice meditation and self-reflection for ten minutes for three to five days. Success would be dependent on whether I was able to create a new habit for myself. A way for me to be held accountable was to check in with a friend who was also challenging herself in different areas. However, I did not succeed at the challenge, and I wasn't able to maintain accountability through the check in process. In the beginning we checked in every other day, and I seemed to master taking my medication on time and journaling regularly. Our communication slowly deteriorated as well as my motivation with some spurts of energy every now and then. Overall, I think I failed the challenge because I took a leap opposed to baby steps to achieve my plans. Yet, I will try again. Next t...

Me- On A "Good Day" When's the last time you managed your self-care,  well ?- Today? Yesterday?- Or has it been that long ? As a mother, employee, and volunteer, my ideal self-care activities have decreased from one extreme to another. In the past, I had pampering days that included leisure activities and visits to the nail salon, now this "me-time" has turned into tiny acts of self-reflection like maintaining my journal. My days are filled with rigorous activities I enjoy like working with peers, sharing my recovery story to diverse groups, and caring for my son. Ironically, my job as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is to model great self-care for the sake of my mental health. However, that is an ongoing roller coaster that I strive to shut down and to restore balance, but I am moving too fast to take back my control!  Me- T.I.R.E.D. At the End of the Day For example, besides my erratic sleep habits,  I frequently skip breakfast and s...

Calling All Peers- Are YOU up for the OPTIMAL WELLNESS CHALLENGE?! I am challenging US to practice a couple of coping tools consistently for National Recovery Month, that you would like to either add or maintain in your wellness routine for 5 consecutive days each week for three weeks. I've heard that if an individual maintains a practice for 21 days it will become a habit. These practices may include: 1) Diet/nutrition & supplemental enhancement, 2) Spirituality-based, 3) Treatment/medication compliance, 4) Physical activity, 5) Effective communication, 6) Alternative therapy, 7) Creative practice, or 8) Other positive practice... I would like you to choose two new habit-forming activities you would like to practice and report back at the end of each week by sending me a personal message about your progress. I will start our "Optimal Wellness Challenge" by journaling more frequently, taking my medication at the same time every day, and to practice me...