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Money stress? You are not alone!

replies: 4

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we all seem to be experiencing a greater amount of stress surrounding money than we have in the past. And it’s impacting our ability to show up fully for the things we love. It’s not uncommon for us to experience shame and fear around expressing our financial challenges; it can be hard and somewhat taboo to openly discuss money matters. However, we believe this conversation is incredibly important and beneficial to have. Like all challenges, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, so let’s help each other out. Of course, discussions about the economy and how to manage our money during inflation are a much larger (and frustrating!) conversation… but what we would really love to know is what your personal experience around money is. Are you feeling the pinch too? How is added financial pressure impacting your wellbeing? When was the last time things felt even slightly easier? And if you have struggled with money in the past but come out the other side, what suggestions do you have for others who might still be finding their feet? This is an opportunity to share openly and honestly about your experience in a judgement-free space. There are no wrong answers, and we encourage you to share all the things that you might be finding hard to express in your every day life. If you're interested - Beyond Blue also have a 'money and mental health' quiz to gauge a sense of how finances may be impacting your mental health and what to do next. Looking forward to your answers! Abundant hugs from yours truly, Sophie M.

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 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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Can back to basic help you?

replies: 8

There is an google article called "Millions of Britons unable to cope with modern life" which in part says- "Millions of people are unhappy, lonely and unable to cope with profound changes in the workplace, relationships and family life, according to a major study. It portrays Britain as a psychologically fragile society in which increased wealth has been accompanied by soaring levels of individual isolation and stress. Although welfare services have made big strides in addressing material poverty, they have failed to get a grip on the growing problems of mental illness and distress caused by the rise of individualism and family breakdown, it says. The UK [is a] largely happy country, but one with many unhappy people ..." Some years ago, well before my diagnosis of bipolar 2, dysthymia and depression I knew my need to move from the city. So now many years later I feel I have the mix about as perfect as I can get it. My first challenge was to get work in the country- no mean feat. But once I got that I could begin to plan a more relaxing future. A move to the country might not suit everyone but I believe the move had such a profound positiveness that it deserves to be spread to you. There is a disease called "Twentieth century disease" which is not what I'm referring to here. That is a serious illness. What I'm suggesting here is, that our great grandparents around 120 years ago, hadnt seen a plane fly, a car being driven, a washing machine, a computer, a mobile phone, a skyscraper and so on. So in a short 3 generations humans have had to adapt and accept these modern creations...and some of us cant do it. Back to basics could include- a vegie garden (even in a unit in the city!), a move to a country town no more than 400 people, limiting your social media, direct debit for bills so there are few accounts to pay physically, walks to sight wild animals and any other actions that allow you to withdraw. My wife and I (as we call it) "Swan in" to large towns or Melbourne to go shopping. We are there for less than 2 hours. We tend to stay away from areas with parking meters because a ticket could cause us anger and upset. Parking meters indicate to us that the city is too big for us and has added pressures like peak hour traffic. I was planning to reject society altogether. I soon found that my plan was flawed. Balance is needed. Many things in life is a balance including finding peace, working, socialising and back to basics. Tony WK

Suggestions of enjoyable, relaxing &/or helpful activities for self-care when you are feeling down

replies: 24

I am starting this thread in the hope people will share ideas of things to do which they enjoy or help take their mind off their problems or just help them feel better. Since becoming stressed & depressed things which I used to enjoy are no longer available, are too hard or no longer fun and I suspect their are others like me who need to do things to feel good again but have trouble thinking of ideas. Everyone is different so what suits one person won't suit another but each person's ideas will suit someone else. When you are tired, depressed, stressed or just need a break what do you like to do? I like to visit a friend who I can trust. We can complain & vent to each other without it being taken out of context or shared with anyone else. Unfortunately she lives 2 hrs away so I can't visit often

Thoughts Are Just Thoughts

replies: 6

The thought process I can be conscious of my thoughts I can choose my own thoughts Any thoughts regarding thoughts

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

replies: 32

Hi All, It is not always easy to feel motivated or inspired to do anything when you are feeling deeply depressed or when suffering from some other mental health issues. I'd like people to use this thread to share ideas/thoughts/quotes/poems on how you manage to motivate, inspire and encourage yourself to do things when it all feels just too hard to even try. Who of you remember that song/story about the little train that kept saying "I think I can! I think I can!" as it climbed up a steep hill? Sometimes I need to tell myself the same thing: "I think I can!" If I start thinking "there is no way I can do that, then I won't even attempt to make an effort. Hopefully others will post ideas and thoughts here that may be very beneficial to others. Cheers all from Dools

Real

replies: 21

Hold on in hope

Sugar sensitivity - Food for thought

replies: 15

We're all probably aware diet has a lot to do with our brain function and coping mechanisms. I've been reading a book called 'Potatoes not Prozac' by Kathleen DesMaisons (PH.D in Addictive Nutrition) It's about sugar sensitive people and how sugar can be similar to alcohol and illicit drugs for some. It mostly concentrates on levels of Beta Endorphins, Serotonin and Blood Sugar. I've decided to run with the program and am up to the stage of journaling my food intake and activity/behaviour/emotions/feelings. It's early days yet, but I'm already beginning to see some patterns. She says not to change my habits for a couple of weeks until my patterns are clear, but it's tempting. This book is so interesting. Symptoms of anxiety, confused thinking and depression are major influences. There are some great little experiments to show how sugar, protein and fat are used in the body, especially regarding the brain; sleep and emotional well being. Some interesting tit-bits are: Low calorie sugar replacements like Sugarine have the same affect on the brain as normal sugar Sugar affects the same sections of the brain as alcohol and even heroin Sugar is more addictive than heroin and can be harder to give up than smoking Flour and its bi-products are simple sugars When we eat is just as important as what we eat I did an experiment using a baked potato as a snack prior to bed and had the best night's sleep in a long time. She says to limit simple carbs during the day and have a meal around 6:30 pm using mostly good quality protein and a small amount of complex carbs; no fat. Then 1/2 hr before bed eat a medium dry baked potato, skin on. Protein prepares the body for carbs from the potato which increases serotonin levels over a long period while the potato digests overnight. Simple sugars digest very quickly as we know from the hit we get after soft drinks for instance. This is not a book for people to lose weight; (though weight loss is inevitable) it addresses our brain chemistry and emotions. It's a winner!

5 4 3 2 1

replies: 1

I find the following quick mindfulness technique useful when I need to return to the here and now. Five things I can see. Four things I can hear. Three things I can feel. Two things I can smell. One thing I can taste.

Lego Therapy

replies: 2

Hi, For the past 7 years I have suffered severe depression and anxiety issues. I was diagnosed in 2010 with dysthemic anxiety disorder after suffering a major break down working in the financial industry. It all came to the fore when one evening my wife walked into the room to see me staring at the computer blankly. I didnt know how or what I was doing and couldnt string a sentance together to articulate how i was. To the best I could describe my brain suddenly shattered into a thousand little lego pieces and although i could see a picture of what things should be, I could not place the pieces together at all. All cognative behavior and responce had broken within my brain. The next 9 months were a blur for me but torture for my wife and 3 young children. Apparently between doctors and psychiatrists and psycholigists my life consisted predominantly of sleeping. Doctors expressed repeatedly that I may never return to work. Because of that, I cannot express the appreciation love and amazement i have for my wife in the support and care she gave me through the ordeal. Not only did she have me to care for in every way, but our youngest girl was only newborn at the time. To my amazement it was this responsibility she used to start rewiring my brain to start dealing with tasks and situations. At first it was laying our little girl in my arms as she slept and i dozed. This subconsciously gave my mind a sence of responsibility that was immediate and present. Small steps, but piece by piece, just like a lego creation, my mind was reintroduced to dealing with life. I use the illustration of lego because another form of therapy i used was playing with lego. As mentioned before, my brain was able to see point A of a task (just like a huge pile of lego pieces in all shapes) and then see point Z (like the picture of the completed model on the lego box) as a completed task but had no idea of how to piece each piece together. I related my thoughts to the chaos of a pile of unsorted lego. So cognatively starting to piece together lego was like repiecing together the thoughts in my mind. After sleeping for 9 months, the next 3 months was spent playing with lego.

Mind, body and soul

replies: 6

In moments of distress I use one or more techniques from three sets of three in order to deal with the situation. Mind Cognitive behaviour therapy Decision making charts Interpersonal relationship Body Run Swim Walk Soul Mindfulness Breathing Subtle change of environment If the level of distress is too high to get the mind or body techniques to work I'll use one of the soul techniques. As distress reduces I may then be able to pick up on a body or mind technique.

The gift of running

replies: 9

Of all the things I've given myself recently, such as sobriety, quitting smoking and losing weight, the thing I most appreciate is the gift of running. Being able to hit the road on a whim and clear my mind. The freedom to travel when and where I want. Being alone and one with the landscape. The pain on pulling up only serving to remind me of the pleasure I've experienced. I love running.

Money stress? You are not alone! replies: 4

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

Can back to basic help you? replies: 8

Suggestions of enjoyable, relaxing &/or helpful activities for self-care when you are feeling down replies: 24

Thoughts Are Just Thoughts replies: 6

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION replies: 32

Real replies: 21

Sugar sensitivity - Food for thought replies: 15

5 4 3 2 1 replies: 1

Lego Therapy replies: 2

Mind, body and soul replies: 6

The gift of running replies: 9