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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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Elizabeth CP Changing your attitude to aid mood & motivation Suggestions /comments welcome
  • replies: 4

I have been thinking that one of the issues with dealing with depression & other mental illnesses is the influence out attitude has on our mood & motivation. We become tired so everything seems hard & unrewarding thus affecting our mood leading to a ... View more

I have been thinking that one of the issues with dealing with depression & other mental illnesses is the influence out attitude has on our mood & motivation. We become tired so everything seems hard & unrewarding thus affecting our mood leading to a downward spiral. I thought if I could work at changing my attitude to things I do it might help. For example: Instead of thinking Ï have to clean the house which leads to negative thoughts such as I'm too tired'', It is pointless because it will just get messed up again. ' The positive thought to counteract these negative attitudes is 'I enjoy sitting in a clean & tidy room & it is so much easier to find things if everything is in the right place so I will spend X hours a couple of times a week to ensure the house remains how I like it. Instead of saying I have to paint the house. I'll start painting the bedroom this week in my favourite colour. I look forward to a new fresh look. Only think about the other rooms once the bedroom is done so you aren't worried about the whole house. Perhaps other people have comments & suggestions because it is easy to slip back into negative self talk & attitudes & doesn't come natural to change to the positive attitude when you are depressed.

SeanA Don't Think Of A White Elephant
  • replies: 3

Ridding yourself of negative thoughts is impossible.As parents we know this when our child is crying. We make them laugh or show them something that interests them and within moments they are laughing. They have at least forgotten the trauma.As adult... View more

Ridding yourself of negative thoughts is impossible.As parents we know this when our child is crying. We make them laugh or show them something that interests them and within moments they are laughing. They have at least forgotten the trauma.As adults we must replace negative distractions with positive obsessions. You see, by concentrating on defeating something like depression your focus increases the subject of your thoughts. That is, depression. It’s like trying not to think of your father. Instantly his face springs to mind.To combat depression all you need is an idealistic goal to chase. Victor Frankl, the psychiatrist who found himself in a concentration camp, accepted his place in the world, he just didn’t focus on it. He focused on the difference he wanted to make. He looked at how he could make a difference even though he was confined to Auschwitz with death all around him.Okay, you are not in a concentration camp. But as the saying goes, “Man can make a hell of heaven or a heaven of hell”. So it’s up to you.It’s up to what you concentrate on.

gloria10 Creating a support network - what has worked for you?
  • replies: 3

I have realized lately that I have been dealing with depression and the reason is due to the fact that my support network has diminished. My friend went overseas and that was hard since our friendship was improving. Then there were issues with my par... View more

I have realized lately that I have been dealing with depression and the reason is due to the fact that my support network has diminished. My friend went overseas and that was hard since our friendship was improving. Then there were issues with my parents and I felt that my mum has pulled away as my emotional support as I feel I disappointed her. Now if I say I have depression she thinks its best if I deal with it on my own, I can't do that. I also can't live up to their expectations when I have limited support from them. As a bit if a turn around for me I have started to look for a positive support network and I am looking at how others may have managed this. Is it through doctors, friends, family? What has worked best? I am trying different activities to mingle with a variety of people and that does help. I am seeing my GP tomorrow and a therapist, also reaching out to Beyond Blue Any advice would be appreciated

Doolhof Love Hugs and Kisses
  • replies: 33

Hi Everyone, I posted the following questions on the BB Café thread and received some insightful answers from people who both appreciate the sentiments and others who do not find these expressions helpful to themselves. There are no right or wrong an... View more

Hi Everyone, I posted the following questions on the BB Café thread and received some insightful answers from people who both appreciate the sentiments and others who do not find these expressions helpful to themselves. There are no right or wrong answers to my questions, they are just questions to reveal how people feel. These are basically the questions I asked: I would just like to know what it means to you to read that people are sending you love, hugs, kisses and other best wishes. How comforting, appreciated and special is it to receive these comments? Do these comments make a difference to how you are feeling and thinking? For me personally, I find them to be heart warming, to know that people care enough to share their well meaning with others. Some people may find these sentiments flippant and to not mean anything, so I would like to know your responses. Remember there are no right or wrong answers, just your own opinion. I'm posting this in the STAYING WELL section, as the comfort and encouragement some people may receive from these comments and sentiments may be just what that individual requires right now. Thanks all from Mrs. Dools

RedJam88 Gratitude Journal
  • replies: 5

I started doing a gratitude journal at the start of the month, and I was just interested if anyone else has one and how they approach it? At the end of the day, I try to write one thing I am grateful for that has happened or specifically caught my at... View more

I started doing a gratitude journal at the start of the month, and I was just interested if anyone else has one and how they approach it? At the end of the day, I try to write one thing I am grateful for that has happened or specifically caught my attention that day. I understand some people might write 3 things or 5 things every day but I struggle somedays to come up with one. Is that weird? I want to find something different everyday, and I kind of want to avoid really broad general things like being grateful for food on the table, or a bed to sleep in (unless perhaps I've just had a really full on day and a good nights sleep is exactly what I need.) Do other people put these kinds of things in their gratitude journals?

citizen1911 The depth of darkness to the heights of glory
  • replies: 4

Dear everyone, It has been a very long arduous road. I find it hard to remember a day in the past when I was happy, or simply joyous and content. Many unfortunate events happened in my life the past few years and sometimes I find it hard to different... View more

Dear everyone, It has been a very long arduous road. I find it hard to remember a day in the past when I was happy, or simply joyous and content. Many unfortunate events happened in my life the past few years and sometimes I find it hard to differentiate whether the depression was caused by the tragedies or simply compounded by it. For most of my life I pride myself as being unnaturally strong. I survived a very traumatic childhood, defy all ridiculous conventions set upon me, left home as a teenager and achieved a lot of things in life including academic, athletics, world travel and was able to retire financially before I turned 40 years old. Yet the cruel irony was, with my potent survival instincts I seemed to be a hopeless judge of people and had invited too many toxic scumbags into my life. Nearly everyone I had loved, including my own parents and only sibling had betrayed my trust and faith and in my time of need no one stayed around. I broke. Really badly, many times. All this time, when all around can fail me, I can always rely on me, I had never seen me fail myself this bad. There were no safety net, no family and no friends to help. The number of times I had cried myself to oblivion, the number of days I lock myself in my beautiful house never uttering a word with anyone; the number of days not having a friend to share a meal with. I had lost count. The words that got me through this ordeal: "The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach." (-Pliny the Elder). Every night before I sleep I was glad to survive the day. Every morning I wake I tried to do something useful whilst I'm alive. I reckon, as long as I am not dead, the reason for my existence may one day be known to me. I found a great psychologist whom reached into the root of my problems and helped me resolve them. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is still difficult; I lapse into bad moment every once in a while. I have to keep reminding myself to be patient. I am taming the beast and rebuilding my mind. It does not happen overnight. I am kinder, gentler to myself now. I am trying very hard to trust people again. Anyways, I kind of just wanted to say this to the void. I am looking forward to the day I am strong and whole again, because I miss that formiable person whom I hope will scale some stupendous heights one day.

Mindset Exercise
  • replies: 2

Hi, guys this is my first post and after reading many posts, there's are so many situations, suggestions and self experiences to draw from. Several years ago I suffered a number of mental and physical issues. I was reading a local paper and found a t... View more

Hi, guys this is my first post and after reading many posts, there's are so many situations, suggestions and self experiences to draw from. Several years ago I suffered a number of mental and physical issues. I was reading a local paper and found a team that offered FREE BOOTCAMP. I was sceptical , scared of judgement , lacked motivation and kept finding myself thinking what if. One day I swallowed my pride, got into the car , drove to Parramatta and meet this fantastic group of people. We shared our stories many a lot worse off than me , spent the next 1hr having a laugh and doing a little exercise. Best part was no commitment, no cost and no excuses.. I Continue to find life difficult at times, but now have this group of friends I feel rely on me to turn up, put in and share our stories.. Truly life changing if I can help anyone this might appeal to just drop me a note.. Thanks

white knight DEPRESSION- IS THERE ANY POSITIVE?
  • replies: 11

I've mentioned in some of my posts (I'm a newbie) about how I believe there is, in nearly everything we do and experience, something positive out of a negative. I have depression among my other issues of bipolar 2, dysthymia and anxiety. When in a de... View more

I've mentioned in some of my posts (I'm a newbie) about how I believe there is, in nearly everything we do and experience, something positive out of a negative. I have depression among my other issues of bipolar 2, dysthymia and anxiety. When in a depressive state often sufferers think there is nothing they can do about it except 'wait it out'. That is so true. We feel helpless. Friends and family feel even more helpless and powerless. What I find amazing however is the long list of people in show business and other unusual occupations that have/had depression or other mental illness. Here is a short list- Buzz Aldrin, Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Jon Bon Jovi, Jim Carey (classic ADHD etc), Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Jonny Depp, John Denver, Diana Princess of Wales, Bob Dylan, Harrison Ford, Angelina Jolie, John Lennon, Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Marie Osborne, Dolly Parton, Brad Pitt, Jessica Rowe, J.K.Rowling, Vincent Van Gough, Robbie Williams, Brian Wilson, Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Cobain, Patty Duke, Stephen Fry, Mel Gibson, etc That list is a small number of those listed on wiki. Clever talented people that all have extreme ability. Is it just possible that YOU have some form of ability that is unique to you? Just like these people? For me I found it in 1994 in the form of poetry. And here's my point- If I had not had the extreme emotion I possess....I would not have written any of my 250 poems I've written. Most of my poetry is highly emotional, can make people cry, can sooth those that have lost a loved one by 'connecting' with the emotions of the one that grieves. This seemed a small progress in my character at the time for I wasnt diagnosed until 2003 9 years later. So initially I brushed it off as 'just becoming a poet'. But it was soooo much more than that. Firstly it was a way of discovering my inner thoughts, creativity and emotions. Secondly it was a tool of self therapy and thirdly it immersed me into a world of my choosing away from all other distractions. For every poem I've kept in my folders I've thrown away 10 or so that were not up to standard. Daily I pick up a pen when a good or bad thought enters my mind and I start writing. As sufferers of mental illness you might already have your specialised hobby, talent. If not then consider searching for it. You are unique, there is nobody on this earth the same as YOU. The nearest is if you are a twin. Even then YOU are YOU. You are beautiful, there is only one.....of you. My wife is finishing off a scarf. She has already made a beanie and mittens. We are to drop them off to her mothers as a late mothers day gift on Wednesday...2 days time. They are unique, they are full of love, they are INVALUABLE! PRICELESS! They are so much more that knitted wool. We battle depression and its a struggle. We can also try to help ourselves with altering our state of mind even minutely. Finding your own talent might help. Good luck

white knight Anger, can you own it?
  • replies: 4

Some lucky people never get angry. But they might possess faults elsewhere they need to tackle. My in-laws in my first marriage were the quiet types, very quiet. I was loud, talkative and saw communication as essential when in the presence of others…... View more

Some lucky people never get angry. But they might possess faults elsewhere they need to tackle. My in-laws in my first marriage were the quiet types, very quiet. I was loud, talkative and saw communication as essential when in the presence of others…they would sit there and say nothing. As time went on nicknames like “trumpethead” emerged to describe me. It resulted in – anger! But where did this anger lead? Nowhere. For you can have all the anger in the world but you cannot implement tactics to counter the attacks that would ease the anger. Eg revenge it. Counter it. Make things equal...unless you can out wit them. Ever opened a letter from a service provider and you start to sweat then it reads you were incorrectly billed and you are to receive a credit? That letter becomes a “good letter” after being a nerve racking bad letter. It favoured you. When things favour us we don't get angry. It goes our way. Anger can be the result of being cornered. Anger can be reduced but unlikely to be eradicated from you. This is due to your personality, your automatic means to cope with situations. But anger in itself isn’t the problem. Anger is the spark, the reaction….what comes after anger, what anger leads to is the problem for anger being an automatic response is and should be ok…it’s the rage, the yelling, the abuse, assaults, the revengeful actions…what downloads from anger that we should address if anger is present. Above all else its your response, no one elses. So feel free to own it, to take responsibility for it to be yours. After all its ok to be angry right? As long as it doesn’t lead to yelling, physical assault or other reaction that is offensive. So summing up. Its ok to feel anger. Don’t be ashamed of having anger if someone criticises you for it, or any other natural feeling. As long as you own it and you leave it at that. Allow time and solitude for the anger to subside to avoid the download that could ruin your life. Take a walk, ask to be left alone for a time, change your environment...do what you know can give you the best chance to recover. Vent to a friend? Vent on paper. Anger is ok but not what it leads to. Tony WK Tony WK

Guest_1695 Accepting the past and moving on
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone. Hi all. I am just over 50 and have decided now is the time to let go of the stuff of my past that has hindered me, and to try to move on through my depression, stress and other issues that have held me back. Thankfully a new medication i... View more

Hi Everyone. Hi all. I am just over 50 and have decided now is the time to let go of the stuff of my past that has hindered me, and to try to move on through my depression, stress and other issues that have held me back. Thankfully a new medication is helping me to do just that. I had a light bulb moment this morning where I realised the last medication I was on, helped for a while, but over time had become inadequate. I am going to try and start to live like this is the "First Day of the Rest of my Life" like a song mentions. No time like now to make that start. How about you? Are you ready to make that decision? How am I going to achieve this? I'm not really sure yet...Ha. Ha. I just know I want it to happen. One thing I have done is to become more assertive and let other's know I am going to begin sticking up for my rights. I will do this in a positive, non aggressive manner. I'd like to hear other people's ideas.