Thank you for bringing this to the forum! Raising chickens has also had a very positive impact on my life and the lives of my children. It is truly a therapeutic experience for me, my partner, and our children on many levels! After many years of battling various aspects of mental health, I would say that the current greatest help of having chickens including a rooster and ducks is how it starts my morning. I get up in the morning every morning, which is a big deal in itself, and I get up without anxiety, which allows me to not go back to bed but rather go to work! I get out in the fresh air, I care for them, and then directly after that, I care for myself, taking my medicine, making breakfast. Then, I care for my children. I even get up early so that there is time for me/this. Because I get up early, I put myself to bed earlier, and make sure I get sleep. As an insomniac and a night owl, this helps keeps certain negative mental health tendencies at bay most of the time, despite me sometimes wanting to stay up all night anyway. In the mornings where my kids aren't getting up for school, I sometimes even throw in a walk, to my dog's delight, which was unthinkable even 3 or 4 years ago! I have a chronic digestive disorder, and this routine with nature and animals who seem to give more back than I put in has changed and enhanced my life and lightened my burden on many levels.
When my children are overwhelmed with something, they will go out into the yard and "be with the chickens". Watching them go around the yard, talking to the birds, caring for them, worrying about them, is incredible. They often watch the sunset with chickens in their arms, and I've been brought a chicken (to my desk, to the couch...) if my kids notice I'm sad or upset about something. My partner is severely depressed, which is a challenge for him and for all of us. He finds great solace in being with the birds, and it is truly something to collaborate on and bond over, to help bring us together when we might prefer to stay apart! People who come by to visit, love to sit in the calm and whimsy of chickens and ducks, often shocked about holding a chicken or observing them. Helping others also helps me. I am so grateful and blessed to have this in my life! And I hope I can support anyone who needs to talk about the joys (as that is also mental health!) of life, the difficulties, the challenges, as well as the lack of optimism and joy that sometimes visits us all, for shorter or longer terms. I hope no one will feel embarrassed or judged!
A few years back, I also found that a keto diet changed my life for the better! Luckily I was never in the insulin roller coaster but I'm proud of anyone who can get off of it. It bodes well for your survival and lifespan not to mention quality of life. Congratulations!
