inMotion Magazine

September | October 2019 38 • Amputee Peer and Support Group facebook.com/ groups/1106555026032982 • Amputees Support Group dailystrength.org/group/amputees 5. Eat a balanced diet** Did you know that almost 95 percent of serotonin, our mood stabilizer, is produced in the gut? Boost your mood by eating fresh, high-nutrient foods, including vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, seafood and some lean meats. Start small. Your body will adjust, your energy levels will improve and before you know it, you will feel better all around. 6.  Laugh often You will always have stressors that come your way. Laughter releases endorphins, protecting your heart and building your immune system. Laughter creates community, even among strangers. The act of laughing means your body is subconsciously releasing tension to feel better. 7. Give room for your negative thoughts You may have been told to “stay positive” when dealing with your limb loss. Coercing positive self-talk without first acknowledging that you may be feeling angry, sad or discouraged is not helpful. Get in touch with those strong emotions by talking to a counselor, friend or spiritual mentor. Once you do, you will find that there is more space for a positive attitude. 8. Rest According to the CDC, one-third of adults are not getting enough rest. For amputees, phantom or chronic pain can exacerbate the situation. But rest does not only mean sleep. Restful activities include being in nature, reading, petting an animal, fishing, meditation, putting away the cell phone, enjoying five minutes of quiet. When you have down time, you are calmer and more content. 9. Follow your intuition Your body is always sending you messages. Intuition is a mind/body sensation that shows you how to trust your instincts. The more you notice what your body is telling you, the better equipped you are to make decisions that are best for you. 10. Change a habit that isn’t  helping you All of us have go-to habits for when we feel stressed. Even something as simple as turning on the news first thing in the morning may be harming your inner peace. Or perhaps you are the king of negative self- talk. Changing a habit takes time! It takes 40 days to change a habit, 90 days to strengthen a new habit, 120 days to feel like you own the habit, and 1,000 days to master it. Take a moment today to assess if there are any daily habits you have that are hindering your emotional well-being. How would your life be different if that habit had no hold in your life? Your emotional well-being as an amputee is directly tied into your physical well-being and mental state. Each of these tips on their own can enhance all three. Even one tip can have long-term benefits. Remember, you are worthy of a full, abundant life. It starts with giving yourself permission to feel good. *Please consult your physician if you are on a fluid restriction diet. **Please consult your physician if you are on a restricted or special diet. ***These tips are suggestions on improving emotional well-being. They are not meant to replace medical or psychological care. Health & Well-Being (continued)