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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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HopefulHazza Stopped Smoking
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, just sharing my ‘emotional roller-coaster ride after making a decision to quit the cigarettes ‘cold turkey’ 7 days ago now.. Physically I’m feeling great, but mentally and emotionally it’s a huge never-ending roller-coaster ride ...from ... View more

Hi everyone, just sharing my ‘emotional roller-coaster ride after making a decision to quit the cigarettes ‘cold turkey’ 7 days ago now.. Physically I’m feeling great, but mentally and emotionally it’s a huge never-ending roller-coaster ride ...from deep sadness to despair and depresion ....I’m thinking what’s coming up now is what I was trying to cover up when I smoked..? ... ‘can anyone relate to this and offer any wisdom ....cheers

Flick_SnotGrass You can't force yourself to be HAPPY.
  • replies: 19

I know, I tried Complicated thing HAPPY Lots of moving parts, as it were Sometimes UN-HAPPY is caused by old out of date software running in the back of your mind It is as if we have been hypnotized by something horrid from the past and we can't seem... View more

I know, I tried Complicated thing HAPPY Lots of moving parts, as it were Sometimes UN-HAPPY is caused by old out of date software running in the back of your mind It is as if we have been hypnotized by something horrid from the past and we can't seem to shake the trance off Sometimes UN-HAPPY is caused by not enough hardware in your brain; where part of the physical makeup of your brain can't run Happy software very well An unresolved concussion or TBI can cause this and it can also be caused by information not flowing well throughout the physical matrix of the brain ...this is becoming a more common complaint as the informational demands of our world speeds up and we ask our brains to do things that they weren't designed to deal with. Dyslexia is a case in point ADD, ADHD too Sometimes, UN-HAPPY is due to lack of Sun, or nutrients, or lack of exercise, or whatever Often software, hardware and wetwear all get clustered up into a big jumble together Big salami HAPPY Let's face it the pressures of modern living makes UN-HAPPY very common. "What is the point really?" is a common and understandable sentiment these days but maybe we CAN improve HAPPY a slice at a time. Put a dent in misery, as it were. A book I often get my clients to read is "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge. This is a great primer on Brain Plasticity, the innate ability our brain's have for rewiring and rapidly healing themselves under the appropriate conditions. Post Traumatic Growth. Another great book for you to read is "The Woman Who Changed Her Brain" by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young. She was born with three neurological bottlenecks in her brain ~ her world was shattered from birth. Her book is about her realization that a) she could use modern neuroscience to pinpoint the specific locations within her head that were not working properly b) she could use the Neuro Plastic properties of her brain to help fix her wiring c) she designed specific exercises that drove traffic through her brain's bottlenecks which caused her brain to respond by adding more physical circuitry. d) she cured herself It's OK to say "WOW" at this point Brain Plasticity is real. Fortunately there is a growing cadre of "Brain Reprogramming Doctors" who now teach this neurostuff. These are experts in applying neuroscience and BRAIN PLASTICITY to helping people feel HAPPY quickly or sorting out many other emotional or cognitive complaints. Google Neuroplasticity Scholarly Articles and dig in.

SeanA Give To Get - it's nothing new.
  • replies: 2

My 6 World Vision kids keep me grounded. They make me realise I am useful. Each letter I open shows me I am valuable. Each picture reminds me I make a difference. I also advertise the difference I am making by telling my clients that they are making ... View more

My 6 World Vision kids keep me grounded. They make me realise I am useful. Each letter I open shows me I am valuable. Each picture reminds me I make a difference. I also advertise the difference I am making by telling my clients that they are making a difference every time they pay me. Here is the last letter: ——————————————————— This is Amily Sun. She is one of six World Vision kids that we have in our martial arts school. Firstly, please tell your kids that your family helps pay for her education and some medical supplies. Just by mentioning this and showing the photo, it will plant a seed that ensures everyone helps everyone else. It also reminds kids how lucky they are to live in the best corner of the best state of the best country in the world. Now, I post this for a few reasons. Mainly, I believe in altruism and want to show the young members of MRMA that that is what our duty is. I chose World Vision because we can put a face to our contribution. It hits home for us. I could have chosen an organisation where more of the money goes direct to the person that needs it. (82% of World Vision fees go direct to the person in need.) But everyone knows World Vision and the reporting process. Photos that are sent and personal notes mean there is a connection made. Your money doesn’t just seem to disappear into a black hole every month. My second reason is a personal one. I read a book about The Killing Fields. The author is the same age as me. When he was 15, Cambodia was embroiled in a war where huge numbers of people were slaughtered. The author’s teenage years were spent witnessing bloodshed that is the stuff of nightmares. As I read the book, I realised that at the same time, I was in Years 10, 11 and 12. At that age, my main focus was on doing the minimum amount of schoolwork, surfing, and the opposite sex. This realisation and subsequent embarrassment moved me to do something for those less fortunate. Maybe 40 years too late but I was unconsciously incompetent at the time. I have told this story many times to the kids in the martial arts school in the hope that, by example, they will realise that it is their civic duty to do what they can. I implore you to show your child the picture and explain how we are helping her. Sean Allen ——————————————————— So, that’s it. Simple acts repeated add up. Read that again. It works in all areas of life. Positive or negative.

HA1 Good MH News
  • replies: 4

I thought I would start a thread on positive news associated with mental health - something that makes you feel happy, something heart warming. It could be something that you have read, heard or seen. I'll kick it off with a news article about a pers... View more

I thought I would start a thread on positive news associated with mental health - something that makes you feel happy, something heart warming. It could be something that you have read, heard or seen. I'll kick it off with a news article about a person who had been battling mental health issues and just recently was named the best mental health nurse in the country! To read the article Google: "mental health patient now australia's best mental health nurse" Take care K

startingnew Self assessment Questions
  • replies: 15

I find that an important part of 'recovery ' is to do a self assessment. Im wondering if anyone has any questions to ask oneself to self assess where we're at, how far weve come, where theres still room for improvement. any help/advice is appreciated View more

I find that an important part of 'recovery ' is to do a self assessment. Im wondering if anyone has any questions to ask oneself to self assess where we're at, how far weve come, where theres still room for improvement. any help/advice is appreciated

white knight The wealth of love, the value of care
  • replies: 1

What a materialistic world in which we live. How much is enough to satisfy us? While living in a caravan park in a 3 metre long 30yo van as my first residence after separation I met an old man. It was in 1996 and this old warrior had listened to me p... View more

What a materialistic world in which we live. How much is enough to satisfy us? While living in a caravan park in a 3 metre long 30yo van as my first residence after separation I met an old man. It was in 1996 and this old warrior had listened to me pour my heart out about losing my home, my full time fatherhood, my dog, my neighbours....everything! Then, following a little silence, he said "on the Burma railway line we didnt think about what we didnt have, we valued what we had". So I listened to this war veteran in total awe. Since then I've realised that material items do satisfy our lust for possessions but never fill any of the love we crave. A jetski wont ever hug you, an overseas trip wont listen to you and a new iphone wont love you. In our lives tears drop easily. Is that bad? No, it does no harm...damn its wonderful! One of the few physical results of sadness and pain. It costs nothing, its beauty is taken for granted,, wiped away instantly, discarded, worthless irritant...yet its free and its part of us. Its a wonder. So what of the privilege of wiping someones tear? Put a price on that. What's its value? What about our ears? To do what some find difficult- to listen. Just nod, hold, embrace, look, but remain silent. The gift of silence not ruined by speech unless asked Sharing goals. One of the most satisfying feelings of accomplishment is reaching goals others share with you. The Champions role here is one of those team spirited roles that oozes gratification, yet the accolades are few. Once in a while a comment of praise comes by and how valuable is it?...its mammoth. Many years ago I stopped to help a lady that had obviously stopped her car on a road near bushland. I quickly realized she had hit a kangaroo. She was crying, howling even as she knelt on the grass next to the kangaroo. As I approached I hesitated as I placed my hand on her shoulder. As she looked up at me, tears falling, sniffling, I saw one of the most beautiful but saddest things I'd ever seen....an ophaned joey. We organised refuse delivery. I bid the lady goodbye. The experience left me valuing even more the things we take for granted. Material items have their value and supply enjoyment to our lives. We must place them at the bottom of the pyramid in regards to their value to us as human beings. If we see how wonderful life can be, even in unfortunate circumstances, we get our priorities in order and that is living life how it should be experienced - lovingly... Tony WK

Guest6093 Relaxing Methods?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I've been waking up early in the night and my wife has said my snoring is getting terrible and I'm scrapping my teeth at night. The big problem is stress from work which is normally what I wake up thinking about at 2:30-3:00 in the morni... View more

Hi everyone, I've been waking up early in the night and my wife has said my snoring is getting terrible and I'm scrapping my teeth at night. The big problem is stress from work which is normally what I wake up thinking about at 2:30-3:00 in the morning and I can't get back to sleep. Why I'm writing this thread is because I'm wondering if anyone knows of anything to help me stop constantly thinking about work and de stress? I've tried meditation and I'm not big on it and I do breathing exercises when I'm stressed at home but that doesn't completely put my mind at ease. I'm not worried about anything in particular but do take things a little personally when someone has feedback. Any advice would be awesome! Thanks. R

Guest_322 Healthy body image tips
  • replies: 74

Hi everyone, I thought this thread might be helpful for developing healthy body image. In saying that, these are just general tips and can't replace medical and allied health advice but I thought such a thread would be helpful. You may or may not fin... View more

Hi everyone, I thought this thread might be helpful for developing healthy body image. In saying that, these are just general tips and can't replace medical and allied health advice but I thought such a thread would be helpful. You may or may not find these tips helpful- either is okay- but I thought that I would share things that I have learnt over the years. Please feel free to share your own tips - not labelling food as "good" or "bad." Food is food. - get a full body check to make sure there aren't physical health problems that are causing food/appetite issues. - this is a really difficult one (because it's hard work and emotionally painful) but finding the root cause(s) of your binge eating/purging/deprivation/etc because food is often a "symptom" of a deeper wound. Sometimes this requires help from a psychologist, counsellor or other health professional. - avoid discussions about kj/calories with friends and loved ones. Same goes for conversations where you put yourselves down for your weight and physical appearance. - when complimenting friends and loved ones, try to make it about their personal attributes as opposed to their appearance. - remember that photos online and in magazines are usually airbrushed. - be wary of competitive dieting and exercising with friends. While it's great if you and a friend want to motivate each other to exercise and eat well in a supportive and healthy way, it's another thing when it turns into a competition. - try to avoid fad diets. - minimise constantly checking e.g. obsessive use of scales, pinching your stomach, etc. Try to set limits as to how often you check yourself/body e.g. weighing yourself once a week (for general health reasons). - if you find that there are certain things that "trigger" unhealthy behaviours then minimise contact with those things/get rid of them. For example, I don't own a set of scales anymore because every time that I've had easy access to one, I end up weighing myself multiple times every single day, which in turn, triggers another set of unhealthy behaviours and on it goes... - surround yourself with people who don't make you feel bad about your body and appearance. By the same token, minimise contact with people who criticise you for your appearance, engage in competitive dieting, etc. - only lose/gain weight for your own sake and not because someone else is pressuring you to do it. It's your body. - And remember, your weight doesn't define you. Dottie x

white knight Our own worse enemy
  • replies: 14

Your worse enemy by simply being ourselves. One of the symptoms you can experience with ADHD is talking before thinking things through and when talking (especially with anxiety)we screw up words. "Foot in mouth" With anxiety added into the mix we can... View more

Your worse enemy by simply being ourselves. One of the symptoms you can experience with ADHD is talking before thinking things through and when talking (especially with anxiety)we screw up words. "Foot in mouth" With anxiety added into the mix we can appear totally different when explaining our thoughts to what we intended. This is even worse when tired, stressed or upset. If some of us think about our lives overall we look back at a "train wreck". Seems its full of basic errors and also seems these basic errors are not errors others make but I question that. Id suggest the errors those without any mental illness are diffetent errors and different conflicts. Eg I dont know the statistics but I'd assume those with mental illness are less likely to enter into operating their own business due to stress, commitment and disruption issues. If 1 in 3 small businesses collapse then those errors are felt more often by the mentally healthy. The mentally ill restrict their social circle. We cant tolerate toxic relationships. The mentally well can, maybe 10 fold more contacts so it would be safe to assume they have greater numbers of conflicts but they can tolerate such wars as a daily event....water off a ducks back. The difference between us and them is that we absorb our errors, stew them, dwell on them and store them in sight of our memory. The year it happened and the error we made. The mentally unwell are mostly permitted to operate as everyday people, we can work, spend, buy, move house, have partners, drive etc. We are functional in society however there are many normal activities we carry out that, due to our illnesses we should have guidence like financial commitments and social events...but thats hard to give up, freedom of choice. Carers can intervene but not often successful unless a spouse. The first steps forward in this regard is to know your limitations and errors you're prone to make and to have a confidant to confide in. Eg with financial matters and a reputation of poor choices research patience and consulation before purchasing that nrw car. In summary we make as many mistakes in our lives as so called normal people but we dwell on ours more and time is our only digestive mechanism for errors. Even time is hard because??? It takes time!. We need to get advise/opinions more often and work on throwing those past rocks in the river. We have enough difficulty with the present without carrying those rocks of the past. Tony WK

the_phoenix_prophet Some of my tips on managing your situation!
  • replies: 1

I hope everyone is having a good Monday, I have battled with depression and anxiety disorders since 2012, and have worked out a fairly structured management plan for myself to cope. I can proudly say that I am now weeks and even months between anxiou... View more

I hope everyone is having a good Monday, I have battled with depression and anxiety disorders since 2012, and have worked out a fairly structured management plan for myself to cope. I can proudly say that I am now weeks and even months between anxious or depressed episodes. It occurred to me that these online forums are a great way to relate to peers. I'm also putting my experience to use as I'm studying Psychology at uni and believe that I have quite a holistic view on mental health. 1. Find purpose It doesn't matter how you get there, but finding your purpose will be the turning point in your journey. My life completely changed when I dropped out of my chemical engineering degree and started psychology, I finally understood that in doing this I'd have knowledge and lived experience in the science, which I could then use to help anyone who needed it! It fills me with child like excitement and joy to know that if this helps even a single person I'm doing something positive. 2. Live for today Depression is hard, anxiety is exhausting, and I understand that day can take forever to complete sometimes. But learn to live in the moment, the eternal present, the 'now' that we physically cannot escape from. I learned through meditation practise, but there are many ways and I encourage you to find yours. Living one day at a time breaks down your life into one waking period. Just think about one thing you can that improves your situation, it may be not letting yourself enter a negative state. If you have a bad day, you have another opportunity tomorrow to start again. And if you have a good day, keep building your management, remembering what you learned previous. 3. Write it down. Please write it down. Whenever you're feeling alone, empty, nothing, everything, doesn't matter. Writing stuff down takes it all out of your head and puts it onto paper, and when you read it back to yourself you can objectively view your state of mind at that time. Even if you don't read it, writing it down is a creative process that you could someday use in a positive way, as I am doing now. I have the fire of a phoenix driving me to help people suffering depression and anxiety. the phoenix prophet.