#jack.org

[youabandonedthem]

Spades blows off mandated government therapy then doesnt pick up the phone so they send their mental health goons to his home to hassle him

[crashy-pamyu-pamyu]

not good doddles (all unfortunately involving my prince)

[ryersonsmash]

The Impact of Irregular Sleeping Patterns

By: Nuzat

As we approach October, the distinct aroma of pumpkin spice lattes is infused in the air along with sleep deprivation, caffeine and stressed out students. With midterms just around the corner, it is important for us to be mindful of our mental health and sleeping patterns. 

There is a significant correlation between sleeping patterns and mental health. A healthy sleeping pattern is essential for optimal mental health. However, a majority of university and college students present irregular sleep-wake patterns and get insufficient sleep throughout the night. Undeniable, irregular sleeping patterns can be quite detrimental for mental health. Studies have found that decreased sleep quality has been correlated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress.  

Sleep is essential for restoring the body and mind. There are two main stages of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). The NREM stage involves deep sleep and allows the body to drop it’s temperature, relax the muscles and decrease the heart rate. This stage is vital for enhancing immune system functioning. The REM stage includes dreaming and causes the body to increase its temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. This stage is essential for improving learning, memory and emotional health. Studies have found that chronic sleep deprivation can be linked to altered brain systems and neuroendocrine systems that is akin to the changes found in stress related disorders. These changes may include reduced sensitivity of serotonin receptors as well as a change in the management of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Ultimately, sleep deprivation may lead to impaired physical and mental functioning. 

So how can you proactively improve your sleep schedule?  

Caffeine intake

Caffeine is a stimulant, which gives the body a surge of energy. Studies suggest that consuming caffeine six hours before sleeping can negatively impact the quality of sleep. Limiting caffeine intake as well as consuming it earlier on in the day can help reduce some of the detrimental effects of the drug. 

Exercise 

Exercising has been linked to better sleep quality. One study positively related weight lifting to improved sleeping, strength and quality of life as well as decreased symptoms of depression. 

Sleep hygiene 

Sleep hygiene refers to a fixed agenda of behaviours. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Setting a regular sleep schedule involves sleeping and waking up at a consistent time, every day. Sleep hygiene also includes limiting noise and distractions from the sleeping environment, practicing relaxation and mindfulness-based stress reduction as well as limiting substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. 

Be sure to take care of your mental health with getting a healthy amount of sleep! And good luck with all your midterms ☺  

[learningtolovemyself2]

So, remember that mental health summit I helped organize? They asked me to apply for their exec next year and I am now officially the Summit Lead for next year (terrified but excited - I feel totally unequipped and undeserving and like I’ll do a terrible job... ahhhhh)

[crashy-pamyu-pamyu]

the club has a new member

THANK YOU SO MUCH @transelecman !!!!!!!! and thanks to tornado man for believing in these things as well as crystal light, because he believes in himself

[learningtolovemyself2]

Today was a regional mental health summit that I helped organize with a group on campus. We had keynote speakers and workshops run by really amazing people and draw prizes and snacks and it all went really well and it was amazing and yeah. The theme was mental health accessibility and systems of oppression. And I’m so excited to have been part of organizing it and to be so involved in something I’m so passionate about and hoping to stay involved with the organization next year. Overall it’s just a really cool experience and really exciting :) I can’t explain how amazing today was and I feel like this is the kind of stuff I want to do for the rest of my life like I get so so excited and passionate about mental health advocacy stuff. The adrenaline crash rn is real and I’m tired but wow what a cool day

[thlayli-rah]

Happy world mental health day; eat some fruit, talk to a therapist, go for a walk, love yourself, be kind to each other

[yesdomindme-blog]

Dobby is Free

Today is the day I got discharged from Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital as I showed that I have made progress since my suicide attempts. People tell me everything happens for a reason and I guess this time the reason I got hospitalized was so I could discover the resources to get better and have the determination to help myself and others. 

Here are 7 things I learned while staying in the hospital:

1. You have to put yourself first sometimes. 2. Rough times reveal the people who care about you the most. 3. There is nothing in this world you cannot get through. 4. Being healthy, physically and mentally, is the most important thing the world. 5. Every person should learn , in a systematic way, how to deal with stress. 6. Mental health is health. 7. Recovery is a process not a result.

Stay strong!