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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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white knight Festering issues or moving on
  • replies: 4

We've all heard the phrases "crying over spilt milk", "drama queen", "stewing over it", etc.Some people are prone to not resolving issues as they run around and around in their minds without rest. But there are also other phrases like "Bringing it to... View more

We've all heard the phrases "crying over spilt milk", "drama queen", "stewing over it", etc.Some people are prone to not resolving issues as they run around and around in their minds without rest. But there are also other phrases like "Bringing it to a head", move on", "close the door", "shut it down" etc that is the other extreme isnt it? The first state of mind is a real concern for the mentally ill because, in my view from my limited experience those with mental illness often have less defining drive to resolve issues. We worry more, stew over matters more sometimes for years and years...even all our lives. This lack of resolve - where does it come from? I believe when we have this "side" condition it could come from excessive care for others either in a personal view, caring manner or compulsive thinking. Have you ever heard of someone saying "I dont think about them anymore".? Gee, wish I could stop thinking about other people more. Especially those I've had serious issues with at the workplace years ago (am now retired). I know absolutely that few people I've met would be churning over these same sorts of issues 10, 20 years later. In fact now that I have more time on my hands I have been thinking about a chap I joined the Air Force with in 1973, that I later assaulted. I was 19yo.I'm now 59yo. Go figure. Then there is the extreme of all of the above- ease of discounting anything that causes stress of concern. Ever met these people? They move on so quickly. A definitive mind, decisive, direct, firm and content. They are the ones in the workplace that express quickly to the troubled one "are you still talking about that- get over it". Such comments hurt us that stew over things. Do these that move on so quickly have the capacity to care? If they did wouldnt they recognise the confusion of the troubled ones? Of course they care...they just care differently and cannot fathom how anyone can think over and over about what is often a distressing topic, so repetitively. They see this behaviour as troublemaking and not fun at all. They dont realise it is a symptom of either an average thinking person that isnt happy with unresolved matters or someone with mental illness that hasnt got the capacity to find peace about topics of a distressing nature. The ideal is somewhere in between both extremes. But us humans are rarely in the ideal sphere. Thats why we fight each other. Better to find acceptance for others how they think. It doesnt mean they dont care.. Tony WK

Indra What things keep you positive?
  • replies: 8

Hi, I am Indra and have recently joined here. I am suffering from depression and have what is described as ongoing grief. This is what they say to you when your child gets diagnosed with a moderate to severe lifelong disability and now the possibilit... View more

Hi, I am Indra and have recently joined here. I am suffering from depression and have what is described as ongoing grief. This is what they say to you when your child gets diagnosed with a moderate to severe lifelong disability and now the possibility that my youngest may have the same disability but on a mild level. I have also overcome an anxiety disorder which I had in my late teens - mainly due to the fact that I had nearly died from health reasons. The things that keep me going at the moment are my two boys - who create some of my stress, but also give me many rewarding experiences and show me a lot of love. Music is a must and when I find a quiet minute (a rarity) I like to write. Feel free to share Indra

Doolhof Greetings from Doolhof, Mrs. Dools, or Lauren
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. I have had a super busy weekend and have not been near the computer at all so I hope you are all doing okay. I've been thinking of all of you who I have been in contact with recently and am looking forward to having the time to catch up ... View more

Hi everyone. I have had a super busy weekend and have not been near the computer at all so I hope you are all doing okay. I've been thinking of all of you who I have been in contact with recently and am looking forward to having the time to catch up soon. Today I have a full day of work and a meeting tonight, so maybe after that I will have some computer time! Wishing you all a day of hope and inner peace. Cyber hugs to you all from Mrs. Dools or Lauren

JessF 2 questions
  • replies: 4

Where do you want to be? And what do you need to get there?

Where do you want to be? And what do you need to get there?

lookingforme Something New
  • replies: 2

I've recently had to deal with leaving my psychologist, move countries to live with my parents because I simply don't have anywhere to go, to look for a job in a different country because I can't live here. While I was in Australia, I looked to this ... View more

I've recently had to deal with leaving my psychologist, move countries to live with my parents because I simply don't have anywhere to go, to look for a job in a different country because I can't live here. While I was in Australia, I looked to this community to help me through things, but maybe I have to vent more frequently now. As a result, I have started a blog. I wonder if I'm allowed to put the link up here, or if anyone would be interested to read it?

Chris_B Making an emergency care wall
  • replies: 1

Sharing with credit to the artist Chibird. What do you think? Do you have one of these? What would you put on it?

Sharing with credit to the artist Chibird. What do you think? Do you have one of these? What would you put on it?

Cakes something that is working for me
  • replies: 7

Hi there, This is my 1st time on here. I have been thinking about sharing a few things that are really working for me at the moment. Im 41years old a mother of 2 married. I have experienced depression.. anxiety and just general mood changes for a whi... View more

Hi there, This is my 1st time on here. I have been thinking about sharing a few things that are really working for me at the moment. Im 41years old a mother of 2 married. I have experienced depression.. anxiety and just general mood changes for a while.. on and off since I was a kid. I know that certain events or situations really tip me over.. but now Im a bit older I can recognise the signs and I can usually catch it in time! The one thing I do that generally keeps me well is exercise.. I know this is just the usual advice.. but I know for a fact.. i'm up on the days I exercise and if I go a few days week without my walk run etc.. I start to slip down that slope. So if you feel flat / low / anxious/ agitated.. get your shoes on and go outside for a walk run swim whatever just move for 20-30mins.. it will buy you some time! I have managed better with exercise than I ever did on medication... just me but just saying.. anyhoo.. I hope you are all having a good day and I'd love to chat on here sometime. See ya

Warren_B Using humour as a pick-me-up
  • replies: 1

One of the ways I pick myself up is by using humour. (I've also used it to try to pick up other people, but that's another story...) So I was interested to know whether other people also use humour, either humour created by other people or self-creat... View more

One of the ways I pick myself up is by using humour. (I've also used it to try to pick up other people, but that's another story...) So I was interested to know whether other people also use humour, either humour created by other people or self-created humour. (Sometimes its easier to turn ourselves on...). Humour can be a hard balance, because you don't want to offend people but I quite enjoy the word play you see used by advertisers where there are multiple meanings. Then you can act all innocent if someone gets offended. Just as an example, in a Share Point post about mental health that I added in the very large organisation I work in, I recently quoted the following lines from the old Smokie song: Something's been making me blue; And somehow I can't talk it over with you. There were three different meanings of the word 'blue' I was using in those quoted lines: 1. I knew I had some kind of mental health problem including the 'blues' (depression) but wasn't sure what it was at the time. Just this week, I received a bipolar diagnosis and am possibly on the Autism Spectrum Disorder as well. 2. My mental health problems and some other factors were causing me to 'blue' (argue) a lot with other colleagues. 3. 'Blue' also refers to adult movies etc ('blue movies') so I put some innuendo in the background in the post,which people always enjoy and advertisers often use a lot. I also write fairly lame jokes, like the following knock knock joke: Knock knock Who's there? Empathy Empathy who? Who cares? I care And then, once I'm sick of my own lame humour, I turn to the professionals, like the great Robin Williams. I'm just about to watch a DVD of one of his stand-up jokes tonight. The back of the DVD talks about Robin Williams (who we knew had some mental health issues) having, in this performance, "pranced, flounced, minced, pounced, zigzagged, hip-hopped, whirled and twirled, talking nonstop about everything fro surgically enhanced breasts to the great anthrax scare". Sounds exactly like a few of the manic episodes I had a few weeks ago before the meds started calming me down a bit. Anyhow, I'm interested to know whether humour helps other people with their blues as well. We won't all have the same taste in jokes (particularly the 'adult blue' ones...) but I think humour is something that can be helpful for everyone. It lifts our moods, and that can only be a good thing, right?

Zan LIVING ALONE WITH NO SUPPORT NETWORK.
  • replies: 4

Life's a funny thing. Hilarious actually. (Don't know who's laughing though). A lot of us, even those like my self, who also carry the extra burden of a mental disability, and/or depression, and/or anxiety, and/or PTSD, and/or bipolar, and/or brain t... View more

Life's a funny thing. Hilarious actually. (Don't know who's laughing though). A lot of us, even those like my self, who also carry the extra burden of a mental disability, and/or depression, and/or anxiety, and/or PTSD, and/or bipolar, and/or brain trauma ... still think we are strong enough to do it all on our own (with the occasional or regular trip to see our treating physician, counselor or shrink), or at least get by, day by day by day -- year by year by year. We've built our "nest" in order to "feel" safe, somewhere we "feel" the most peaceful, and have incorporated into that comfort zone various animal companions or companion animals ... usually suggested as beneficial to our healing process by either our our treating physician, counselor or shrink somewhere along the way ... and in this we still believe we can manage to do it all on our own, or at least get by -- day by day by day -- year by year by year. We might even go on-line to find some "extra" assistance or just a boost, or to vent ... and we still believe we can manage to do it all on our own, or at least get by -- day by day by day -- year by year by year. But what happens when we "crash"? Who is there when we injure ourselves and can no longer do it all on our own, or at least get by -- not even for a single day? I'm facing this horrible thought right now, ever since I tore a ligament in my knee and shattered my cartilage. If I had to be hospitalized who would look after my animal companions? Would I even have a 'home' to return to if I was so incapacitated that I had to be cared for in some unknown, sterile, noisy, busy impersonal facility? Is there even such a thing as "community support" in remote rural Australia? Questions that I had never considered before are now forming in my head. Is it getting closer to that time of having to seriously consider moving into a town or city suburb where the amenities and care facilities are all located? Aarrggghhhh -- just the thought horrifies me! So I simply ignore the inevitable and kid myself that I can still manage to do it all on my own, or at least get by -- day by day by day -- year by year by year ---- and hope (lovingly) that at least I outlive my animal companions before having to make that horrible decision.

TWLOHA_4_LIFE sleep struggles.. why can't I sleep?
  • replies: 9

Hey everyone. So I'm hoping someone might be able to sleep. For the past few years now I have struggled with sleeping, whether it be trouble getting to sleep, broken sleep or just no sleep at all sometimes and I'm wondering if anyone had any techniqu... View more

Hey everyone. So I'm hoping someone might be able to sleep. For the past few years now I have struggled with sleeping, whether it be trouble getting to sleep, broken sleep or just no sleep at all sometimes and I'm wondering if anyone had any techniques at getting a decent nights sleep? Any help would be great! thank you