Build Your Mental Health Toolkit
OCT 02, 2024Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreWhile watching the local news last evening, I saw a most interesting ad. A mom and her two children were exchanging questions and answers. The son asked for some chips and his mother’s reply was, “Have a banana”. The daughter asks for a soda, and the mom provides bottled water. The son asked for his video basketball game. His sister replied, “Go outside and play the real one”. A couple more exchanges followed, and the summary was to practice 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
I discovered that CHI Health is a major partner in a local group building a healthier community. The numbers refer to a daily plan:
You can even follow them on Facebook.
It is an excellent plan to begin a new year. Fruits, vegetables, water, and dairy group foods are healthy choices for snacks. Snacks are part of everyone’s day. I like snacks to count. They should provide nutrients not just calories.
What is a nutrient? Nutrients are substances that the body cannot make. They must be provided by food choices. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, water, fat, carbohydrate, and protein are nutrients. Snacks that provide both a protein and a carbohydrate are what we call, "nutrient rich". The following list provides some examples:
In the winter, I enjoy hot chocolate, but I find the prepared hot chocolate packets to be so sweet or filled with hydrogenated oils. Several years ago, a friend shared his recipe for homemade hot chocolate. Give it a try. Enjoy your snack with a taste of chocolate.
Hot Chocolate
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Store in a jar. Use one heaping tablespoon of mix per eight ounces of hot water. Stir.
Makes 8 servings
Serving size: 1 tablespoon of mix
Nutritional Content: Calories: 36 Carbohydrate: 6 grams Fiber: 0 Fat: 0 Protein: 3 grams Sodium: 48 milligrams |
Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreEating a good meal before trick or treating, planning a costume party, and keeping an eye on candy consumption are just a few tricks for a healthier Halloween.
Read MoreIf your goal is either weight maintenance or weight loss, portion control can be a valuable tool to help you eat healthy.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.