thank you @Shaz51 after a few days of stress,oversleeping,undersleeping and undereating my stress levels have eased and am taking a different perspective on things ,trying to just reflect a bit but not dwell on what happend and how ect I do feel clear headed at the momment its taken time to relax again but definetly much better feelings than even last night as I and a few other forums where awake last night at the same time roughly must be a few of us had trouble sleeping ect but that was making me feel less alone thanks for the support 
Today we move onto our next topic of intellectual wellness.
Intellectual wellness is defined as recognizing one's creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills. It refers to active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities.
This is a component of wellness that I had not really heard about in great detail previously. Occasionally on tv mention is made about research shows that exercise for the mind is important as exercise for the body and in particular regarding the link between doing mind games and improving and/or delaying cognitive decline.
It is important to gain and maintain intellectual wellness because it expands knowledge and skills in order to live a stimulating, successful life. In order to improve intellectual wellness, it is important to value creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. It is in essence to:
Expand one’s ability to create, develop, analyse, critique, concentrate, understand, evaluate, problem solve, predict, comprehend, etc.
Feel competent in intellectual and academic activities by improving skills in academics, studying, time management, stress management, note taking, listening, and public speaking.
Strive to be open to new experiences and ideas in all areas of life
What are Some ways of increasing intellectual wellness
Playing “brain games”. Research suggests that cognitive decline may be prevented, slowed, or perhaps reversed in aging adults who are frequently engaged in creative, challenging, and cognitively stimulating activities such as computer games, reading, and crossword puzzles.
Experiencing the arts. A study showed that people with 100 or more hours per year of arts engagement (i.e. at least 2hrs per week) had significantly better mental wellbeing than those with none or lower levels of engagement. For the purpose of the study, ‘Arts engagement’ was defined as the art people do as part of their everyday lives for enjoyment, entertainment or as a hobby (i.e. recreational arts rather than art therapy) such as singing, painting, dancing, reading a novel, playing an instrument.
Doing crafts like knitting and crochet. A study found that those who engaged in crafts like knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.
Although it is possible that only people who are cognitively healthy would pursue such activities, those who read newspapers or magazines or played music did not show similar benefits.
Attending lectures in person or online.
If you would prefer to pursue more scholastic knowledge without attending college courses, consider open lectures. Universities and libraries often offer free lectures on various subjects. From history to gardening, the subjects are vast. Furthermore, the lectures are most often provided by professors, or individuals who have honed their craft.
Playing a musical instrument. Music has a powerful impact on our minds. Playing a musical instrument can increase intellectual wellness by learning how to create sounds, make patterns, and emote through music.
Learning a new language. Learning a foreign language can be beneficial to your intellectual health and your employment prospects. When learning different ways to communicate, your mind expands. This not only helps with being receptive to new knowledge, but also helps broaden information already learned.
Improving skills for studying. Learning new things about the way your mind processes information can be a vital tool to helping you succeed.
Intellectual wellness is intertwined with the other dimensions of wellness and can impact upon them.
Looking at the areas we have already discussed, learning new things can help us understand our environment better, find enjoyable ways of improving our physical health and learning new things can lead to opportunity to both occupational financial wellness either by helping you get a job, doing our work better, helping us get a promotion/pay rise or learning better ways to manage one's income.
When I think of intellectual wellness on a personal level the saying “use it or lose it” comes to mind. I must admit in the last few years that this is one aspect of my life that has taken a bit of a hit.
How are you faring with this dimension.?
@LostAngel, @ShiningStar, @StuF , @Clawde , @Determined , @Smc , @Elac , @Anastasia , @Former-Member , @Peri , @Emelia8 , @Appleblossom , @Owlunar , @Faith-and-Hope , @Fizz , @Former-Member , @Dimity , @Olga , @Zoe7 , @Eve7 , @NatureLover , @Scoo , @TAB , @Lee82 , @Bellarose75 , @Meowmy , @frog , @Schitzo , @MySunrise , @Teej , @Snowie , @outlander , @Sans911 , @HenryX , @oceangirl , @utopia , @Jacques , @BPDSurvivor , @Sophia1 , @Sophie1 , @BlueBay , @Bezak482 , @tilly22 , @Historylover , @jem80 , @cloudcore , @wellwellwellnez , @Krishna , @Kurra , @eth , @Mazarita , @Exoplanet , @FindingStrength , @Adge , @Ant7 @MDT
@Judi9877, @TheVorticon , @The-red-centaur , @Boo13 , @Fluttershy1 , @Bow , @Powderfinger , @Corny , @Carlachris , @Judus , @Former-Member , @Daisydreamer , @Former-Member , @YouAreNotAlone , @Former-Member , @TideisTurning , @ArraDreaming , @Bill16 , @Silenus , @Gwynn , @Killie1980 , @Oaktree
I would love to make a meaningful response to your, as always, supportive posts to all of us @Shaz51, but words may not flow easily today. I am feeling my situation is getting the better of me. I could take medication but my situation will be unchanged by it, and having to get myself out of bed in the morning when I feel that I am part of it is not something I look forward to. If only there was medication for my situation. I have been unable to reply to your other post @Owlunar. As @chibam said recently - sometimes we just run out of steam and need a break from it all.
As for intellectual wellness @Shaz51 - I find there is little to compare to taking on a previously considered too-hard topic and making more progress than we could have expected. I find there are no better teachers than ourselves, personally. We know how to find the best instructor - youtube has an abundance, on any subject of interest - just find the one/s you click with and take it from there. Nothing succeeds like success - as they say. It doesn't have to be for a particular purpose - just for the exhiliaration of taking on a new challenge.
Is anyone doing study at the moment? Please tell us what you are doing and how you are finding your progress. Have you done previous study since leaving school/university? Changed directions, subjects? Found the experience rewarding?
Personally I like to take a break from time to time - and some lengthy ones, some in different directions, then get back to it with renewed vigour when I am again stirred. We get bogged down sometimes.
Would love to hear from you. Sending best wishes and much intellectual wellness to all.
Go you, Mr. Trombone-player!!sending you understanding hugs @Historylover , @utopia , @MDT
i have let this down in my life i am sorry to say
when looking after family and ourselves other things tend to be pushed on to the back burner
soo much i have not done for years and trying to involve things back in our lives will take time
I play words with friends with is a scrabble kind of game on the computer
way to go @MDT 
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.