Many of us are pretty good at basic maintenance. We have the oil changed in our cars when it's due, we have our teeth cleaned every 6 months, and perhaps we even change the air filter in the furnace and replace the batteries in the smoke detectors once a year. All of these tasks are designed to keep things running smoothly and prevent problems. Yet it's not so clear to us what practices might improve our mental health. We're not born with engine lights that tell us when some part of us is overheated or broken, nor calendars that tell us when our next vacation is due (but wouldn't that be nice?!). Instead, we can benefit from a "check-up from the neck up" - checking in with ourselves to evaluate how we are doing and feeling. Try these questions:

• How regularly are you sleeping? How many hours each night? Do you sleep soundly or not?
• Are you eating enough, or eating too little? Open your cupboards and refrigerator - do the contents look like you want them to?
• Is there time for exercise, reflection, meditation in your life?
• How would you rate your connections with others? Frequent enough, too often or just right? Superficial or deep?
• Are your finances and chores up to date? Or are things slipping behind you?
• Do you engage enough in activities that make you feel good - such as whimsy, hobbies, volunteering, spiritual activities, visiting with special persons?

Conduct a "check-up from the neck up" to evaluate how you are doing. If you find that you are "off" on a number of the answers to the questions above, perhaps it's time to slow down and evaluate your priorities. Can someone help you get re-aligned? What responsibilities can you give to someone else or get rid of altogether? What priorities need to shift in rank? Monitoring our behaviors, thoughts and feelings on a regular basis helps us identify problem areas so we can get a tune-up. Try a "check-up from the neck up" on a weekly basis and see what you find out about yourself!

Sometimes, it can be easy to focus on the deficits - what we don't have or what we are dissatisfied about in our lives. When the list is long and full of difficult challenges, it can lead to feelings of defeat and depression. A challenge may be to focus on the assets. What are you grateful for in your life? To whom could you give thanks? What's going well, or 'okay', that you can embrace, be proud of? Consider keeping a daily gratitude journal that can serve to celebrate the positive events, people and accomplishments in your life.

Pretend that your life is a company, and you are the Chief Executive Officer. In the CEO role, you take note of the people and activities that serve the company well, helping it to progress and succeed. You also identify those factors that are challenges or obstacles for the company. In your position as CEO of your life, what components of your company should you keep, perhaps even emphasize and strengthen? What challenges or obstacles should you work toward eliminating? Take steps toward leading your life toward further success and happiness.

"Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement!" - - Golda Meir

The Eating Disorders Research Program at the University of Minnesota is conducting an anorexia nervosa research study. The purpose of the study is to learn more about anorexia nervosa using a measurement technique called ecological momentary assessment to identify specific moods and attitudes associated with disordered eating behaviors. This technique involves the recording of specific moods, attitudes, and stressors into a handheld computer device. Individuals who are eligible and decide to participate will be asked to complete a series of interviews and questionnaires, a blood draw, a urine sample, and a brief physical exam. After completing this portion of the study they will be asked to carry a handheld computer device continuously for two weeks. During that time the handheld computer will routinely beep them throughout the day to prompt them to answer a series of questions. They will also be asked to record certain behaviors on the handheld computer as they occur throughout the day. In addition, they will be called three times over the two-week period to report daily food intake.

Participants will be paid $100 for each week that they carry the handheld computer with a $50 bonus to those who respond to the handheld computer beeps on time. This is NOT a treatment study. If you are (or someone you know is) female, have anorexia nervosa, and may be interested in this research study, please contact Nora at 612-627-1991 for more information.

So, exactly how many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb?

[Only one ... but the lightbulb has to really want to change!]