I read a very good and concise article in “Remedy Magazine” (Health and Wellness for Life) on how to boost your mental immune system by psychiatrist Sudeepta Varma, M.D., medical director of the World Trade Center Mental Health Program at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. I knew all the stuff he suggests and I have said in before in many posts, but I was impressed that he compacted it in such a way that doesn’t overwhelm me, if you know what I mean. This is what he says:

Genetics play a part in mental health, but people can do a lot to boost their mental immune systems.
1. Get enough sleep.
If you don’t get enough on a regular basis, it can lead to disruptions of your body’s circadian rhythms [24-hour cycles that regulate hormone production and other biological processes], which can make you feel more stressed and can be enough to trigger or exacerbate an underlying disorder.
2. Consume a diet with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, and folate.
You can find omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, sardines, walnuts, canola oil, and flaxseed. Vitamin B-12 is found in fish, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Folate is found in fortified cereals, spinach, broccoli, peanuts, and orange juice. These nutrients can help ease depression and improve brain function.
3. Engage in regular exercise and relaxation techniques (yoga, tai chi or progressive muscle relaxation).
These exercises can help relieve mild anxiety or depression.
4. Maintain balance and moderation in anything you do.

It’s number four that I most struggle with. What about you?