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Sophie_M Sleep and Mental Health
  • replies: 0

Many of us have struggled with bouts of troubled sleep, and needless to say, these periods of nocturnal restlessness can be utterly overwhelming and exhausting. Sleeplessness can filter into every aspect of our lives: our ability to be present, remem... View more

Many of us have struggled with bouts of troubled sleep, and needless to say, these periods of nocturnal restlessness can be utterly overwhelming and exhausting. Sleeplessness can filter into every aspect of our lives: our ability to be present, remember things, regulate our emotions, or to feel excited and energised… it can change the way we think and feel in such a significant and impactful way. Whether it’s due to big life changes, global pandemics, financial or work stressors, health concerns (like menopause), how much ‘you’ time you have, or even unprocessed emotions you weren’t aware were there – so many things can impact how you sleep. All of this goes to show that not only do your daily habits, routines, and experiences play a huge role in maintaining healthy sleep cycles, but so does your mental health. And frustratingly enough, your sleep also impacts and informs your mental health and daily habits. Like most things, it’s a very easy cycle to fall into. So, it’s imperative that we are gentle and compassionate with ourselves on our journey to understanding what is making us so hypervigilant and unable to rest in the first place. Studies show that journaling or mindfulness practices throughout the day, healthy food, movement, sunshine, connection with loved ones, and support from health professionals can help us to feel more grounded and able to rest. But we are curious… what has worked for you? When do you notice that your sleep is most affected vs. when you get the best rest? And is there a way you could practice regulating your nervous system more throughout the day to help promote better sleep at night? We would love to hear your thoughts! Let us know if you have any questions and be sure to check out our page on ‘Sleep and Mental Health’ for more guidance and insight into a more supported and restful night’s sleep: Sleep and mental health - Beyond Blue - Beyond Blue Looking forward to hearing from you! Kind regards, Sophie M

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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Paw Prints Staying/Getting/Doing Well – Moving goalposts or fixed target?
  • replies: 1651

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when ... View more

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when they have a wide variety of experiences and lives lived is not something I thought I would ever find. Though people talk about getting well & there is a section Staying Well, I’m curious as to what this actually means to other people and how they manage their expectations. I noticed some people refer to being well as ‘being like themselves before they got ill’, whilst others don’t express an exact aim. My idea of being well has changed over the years. I was first diagnosed as an 8 year old child back in the late sixties. The doctors told Mum that the voices in my head & the sudden crying bouts were because I suffered from ‘nerves’ & I was given meds to calm me. Of course such things were not discussed back then & I was told not to talk about it to anyone, not my school friends nor siblings, just Mum. For decades after my idea of being well simply meant being able to hide my illness from others. A number of events in my life caused my illness to worsen, until some years ago I became so ill I needed to be hospitalised for my own safety. This lead to my current diagnosis of Major Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I’m no longer in that dark place, but each day is still a battle (though I can now believe in a future). For now only my siblings & one friend know about my illness, though some things they still don’t know. So, what does ‘being well’ mean to me, it is ever moving goalposts. If you had asked me 5 years ago would I be as well as I am now I would have thought it impossible as I couldn’t envision a future. If you had asked me last week (during one of my down periods) I would have said my progress was all an illusion & I was fooling myself that things can get better. For now my idea of being well is being able to believe that things can change for the better, that I will one day be able to manage the everyday things like housework, caring for myself & caring for my dog & maybe, just maybe I will even be able to enjoy myself. Paw Prints **I took the tip to give myself time to write my post by writing on a word doc & then paste it.

Thelongestroad How to reconnect with people and regain social interaction/make new friends/connections
  • replies: 30

Hi im a 37 year old single man struggling to regain a social life again due to a combination of things such as depression, unemployment, addiction, jail. And life constantly being disrupted and set back time and time again. im constantly isolated fro... View more

Hi im a 37 year old single man struggling to regain a social life again due to a combination of things such as depression, unemployment, addiction, jail. And life constantly being disrupted and set back time and time again. im constantly isolated from people as i live alone. I just feel stuck in life. I wish I could find a way to meet someone and build a new life but I don’t know how.. I’ve drifted apart from all my friends and family but want to move forward and want to life a fulfilling life but struggling with not only being unemployed but poor and depressed and lonely. I’m just tired of living that way I want to live a more fulfilling life but struggling with direction not knowing where to start.

Guest_1055 Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise
  • replies: 4390

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can ... View more

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life. OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time. So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really...... I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

resistor Seeking tips to learn how to journal for mental health
  • replies: 5

Hi there! I'm really, really bad at identifying my emotions. I want to improve on this and feel learning to journal is a good way to start. So, how does one journal one's feelings? I have read so many articles online about tips; they all give practic... View more

Hi there! I'm really, really bad at identifying my emotions. I want to improve on this and feel learning to journal is a good way to start. So, how does one journal one's feelings? I have read so many articles online about tips; they all give practical advice - quiet location, regular times, relaxed mindset, writing prompts, etc ... none however explain how to read deeper into feelings beyond "happy" or "sad". That is the magic trick I'm looking for. I know when I'm upset or depressed; I need to learn to teach myself to identify why I'm feeling the way I do. Does that make sense? Please share your tips!

Guest_29236324 my son has committed armed robbery and awaiting trial - how do i help him and me cope
  • replies: 1

my estranged son (early 20's) has been charged with armed robbery he will come to trial in 6-12 months how do i help both him get through this and also look after myself so i can be strong for himhe doesn't live at home but lives alone and i'm very w... View more

my estranged son (early 20's) has been charged with armed robbery he will come to trial in 6-12 months how do i help both him get through this and also look after myself so i can be strong for himhe doesn't live at home but lives alone and i'm very worried about him

Whatsinaname Mental Health and AI
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm sure more people than I have travelled down this road more than me, but I have just recently had a chat with an AI bot about my stress/anxiety due to some work stuff. It was genuinely helpful, which did surprise me. Wasn't anything ground... View more

Hi all, I'm sure more people than I have travelled down this road more than me, but I have just recently had a chat with an AI bot about my stress/anxiety due to some work stuff. It was genuinely helpful, which did surprise me. Wasn't anything ground breaking, but my social network is quite small so it was good to bounce ideas and emotions off something that was able to respond in kind. So, if anyone is desperate enough for a chat, like me, give AI a go. But be careful to not give any personal info because who knows where they store your data really.

Terri Centrelink
  • replies: 1

Hi I applied for Disability pension last year on 17/7/2024 and was rejected on the 24/7/2024 for not having enough medical evidence. I appealed on the same day of rejection and was given 13 weeks to upload all medical evidence required, I did that wi... View more

Hi I applied for Disability pension last year on 17/7/2024 and was rejected on the 24/7/2024 for not having enough medical evidence. I appealed on the same day of rejection and was given 13 weeks to upload all medical evidence required, I did that with in a week, I had my JCA phone interview on 21/1/2025 I didn’t hear back from them for a month so I made a complaint and they called me and told me I had got 20 points in table 12 for my vision and I was in the queue and had to wait for a ARO officer to review my appeal, it’s now April and I still haven’t heard any updates it’s so stressful I just wanted to know if anyone else has been through this.

MarkL I feel mentally strained a lot lately. Not good at talking about it and not sure how to deal with it
  • replies: 3

I have many days where I feel angry for no reason and I find it hard to pull myself out of this mood. I feel worse when I subject my kids and wife to my mood. Little things seem to set me off. I don’t know what to do or how I should handle this

I have many days where I feel angry for no reason and I find it hard to pull myself out of this mood. I feel worse when I subject my kids and wife to my mood. Little things seem to set me off. I don’t know what to do or how I should handle this

white knight How to take a breath
  • replies: 0

I’m guilty of this, not taking a big breath before making decisions. I can suspect its because of some anxiety lingering from a past of anxiety as a full blown illness, but it matters not the cause when you are trying to find a remedy. It’s there, it... View more

I’m guilty of this, not taking a big breath before making decisions. I can suspect its because of some anxiety lingering from a past of anxiety as a full blown illness, but it matters not the cause when you are trying to find a remedy. It’s there, it’s real and it must be tackled not ignored. With some people taking a breath before answering a question is natural. In fact an old school friend of mine would indeed do that automatically and it was painful to wait for his response. That delay, often around 3 seconds, you could almost watch the cogs turning, however as he was really intelligent A student, his answers were always detailed and accurate. Rarely did he have to apologise for answering wrongly simply because he had done his thinking on the topic in that 3 seconds. However, that isn’t me and it might not be you?, But what we can learn is to take a breath before you answer and that breath can be 3 seconds long, enforced time delay while you do such thinking. I now do that with an “ummmm” and that helps as that word relays to the receiver that I’m about to answer so they don’t fill that void with more chatter. People with mental health issues can have side issues with communication. Eg “foot in mouth” the fault of saying something inappropriate before thinking is common with ADHD and getting distressed over a traumatic topic before all the facts are conveyed can be seen as catastrophizing are two examples of reactions or automatic responses that can find us in trouble with people. I can recall my mother once over reacting when my father arrived home and said “now don’t take this to heart…” – that was enough for her to yell “oh no” and start welling up in the eyes. She assumed he’d lost his job. He finished “I hit the curb with the car, we need a new tyre”. Clearly there was no easy way of breaking any news to her.eg if he said “come and look at the car” she would have thought it was a right off… and so on. Whereas, had she taken a breath and waited 3 seconds the rest of his statement would have finished and she would have realized it wasn’t the end of the world. Easy to say hard to do however. Being an individual includes not being within the boundaries of what is considered “normal” interaction. Mental illness or not, we are ourselves and if that means saying the wrong thing a quick apology should always suffice. If not hold your head up high and accept that the receiver is not being receptive to that individual- the amazing and wonderful- YOU.

Croix Store Your Happy Memories Here:
  • replies: 1003

Dear All~ What this place is for: This thread is a tool, a resource, and also I guess a dash of entertainment. I’ve found that when life is grim that sometimes thoughts of past happiness can create a chink of light in the grey overwhelming press of d... View more

Dear All~ What this place is for: This thread is a tool, a resource, and also I guess a dash of entertainment. I’ve found that when life is grim that sometimes thoughts of past happiness can create a chink of light in the grey overwhelming press of down. They can help occupy the mind with lighter reflections. With that in view I invite people to set down a brief passage describing some happy event they look back to with fondness and peace. They - and others too - can then return to it when they feel the need to glean a little warmth. It is not a place for gloomy or dire tales, those can go elsewhere. What to do: Just set out, as simply as you like, your recollection of some past experience that means something good to you, something you enjoyed, something from safe times. It can be, like my story below, anything – from an account of visiting grandparents to simply cooking and eating a melted-cheese sandwich in a favorite kitchen – you get to choose. How to do it: Write. Write enough so someone else can feel the mood, know what happened, find the goodness. (stop at 2,500 characters please!) Grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation are not compulsory, just write as you can – the only important thing is the content - not literary merit. Short or long - it does not matter. I hope you enjoy, contribute and find a little distraction here when you need it. Croix