Immediate support
Immediate support

Staying well

Support each other to stay well, from mindfulness, sleep, diet and exercise to reducing drug and alcohol use and coping with difficult emotions.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

scorch Love Letters
  • replies: 8

Hi guys. I've been reading so many of your stories on this forum and I felt so moved I just had to start this thread. This post will go on for a while, but please read it. I hope it will be able to help you in some way. So many of us are hurting and ... View more

Hi guys. I've been reading so many of your stories on this forum and I felt so moved I just had to start this thread. This post will go on for a while, but please read it. I hope it will be able to help you in some way. So many of us are hurting and feel like there is no hope in the future. But the fact that you are here, on this forum, shows that you are strong. It shows that you want to fight to keep your head above the dark, cold sea that is depression and mental illness. I have been so inspired by the sheer willpower that so many of you have shown. When you reach out for help, you might see a weak arm grasping at nothing... but I see huge bulging biceps that are clawing you through the water toward light and land. You guys give me strength and hope and encouragement. I wish you could see how amazing you all are. And so because of that, I'd like to share with you something that I have done to help me see just how far I've come. When I start to feel like a failure, like nothing I do is good enough or right. When I feel ugly and weak and stupid, I stop and I read a letter. It is a letter I wrote to myself, a love letter of encouragement. I think we should all write a love letter to ourselves at least once in our lives. Strip back the lies that our minds push on us for a moment and really look at our lives honestly. Yes we have flaws, yes we have failed sometimes... but we are more than our failures! We are unique and beautiful, we have talents, we have hidden strengths, we are on a journey and not yet at the end. It's good to remember these things. We NEED to remember these things, and to be honest with ourselves enough to be able to see these things, not just our flaws. It can be such a trap, the lure of believing the negative and blowing it out of proportion, while we crush the positive aspects of our natures into a dark, hidden corner. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes it's easier to believe the bad in us than to face to good of us. Well, that's how it is for me anyway. So, I'll stop rattling on now but I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Sometimes we need to be reminded that WE ARE ALLOWED TO LOVE OURSELVES. And the best reminder has to come from us. So I will share my love letter. I wrote this to myself last month. It’s a poem, although it doesn’t rhyme… but poems don’t always have to rhyme. It’s probably the most honest thing I have ever written and it is a big deal for me to share it. But I hope that by sharing it, maybe I can help you guy see the beauty and worth in yourselves too.

Chris D Hi All
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I have been reading some of your posts and replies to eachother and you are all supporting eachother really well. I am going well too. I had my first depression group session, mindfulness and have been going to the gym each morning. The food ... View more

Hi All, I have been reading some of your posts and replies to eachother and you are all supporting eachother really well. I am going well too. I had my first depression group session, mindfulness and have been going to the gym each morning. The food is really nice and delicious, the staff and other patients are all very welcoming. It is a really nice facility with generous size rooms. I would like to wish everyone all the best in your respective journey's. Take Care Chris

Neil_1 Focus on the NOW - beautiful, insightful words by TC on the depression forum
  • replies: 5

Hi all, On the depression site, there is a thread created by Chasing Sunshine, called "New and struggling" and CS has had a number of great responses. But there is one there that has really struck me slap bang in the face (but in a good way … and ext... View more

Hi all, On the depression site, there is a thread created by Chasing Sunshine, called "New and struggling" and CS has had a number of great responses. But there is one there that has really struck me slap bang in the face (but in a good way … and extremely thought provoking). It was posted by TC and TC, I am not really into plagiarising but I really feel the need to share part of your post with the masses … because of how brilliant it is. Here is the para that resonated so deeply within me: “After managing anxiety and depression (successfully and unsuccessfully!) most of my life (am 54) .... one of the most valuable strategies for me, is to focus on NOW, and not focus on any other point in time. Avoid thinking of this afternoon, tonight, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year .... two years or five years down the track. Fight with your thoughts. Bully them into submission and tell them what you want them to do. Focus on NOW and the smallest, easiest thing you can do to help you put one foot in front of the other and move ahead.” Since reading this it really struck me how powerful those words are. Focus on NOW. Fight with your thoughts. I'm really blown away by this paragraph ... it's got me shaking and nervous and tense, but not because it's anything bad; on the contrary, it's so positive ... but I'm shaking as I my mind is not letting me do this. I can do it just for a short while but then the demons come and push the badness back again. Thank you TC for this paragraph. Kind regards Neil

Neil_1 Alcohol Free Days
  • replies: 37

Hi all, I've been thinking for some time now that it's time for me to come off the alcohol. Beer is my weapon (drink) of choice ... well it's not actually a weapon, it's more of a very close and comforting friend. Yeah, that's it. Oh and before I go ... View more

Hi all, I've been thinking for some time now that it's time for me to come off the alcohol. Beer is my weapon (drink) of choice ... well it's not actually a weapon, it's more of a very close and comforting friend. Yeah, that's it. Oh and before I go on and drive some of you insane ... AFD is my abbreviation of Alcohol Free Days ... and each year I count how many I have. Well, not each year, I've only been doing it for the last five years. Is that kind of Obsessive Compulsive; oh and the fact that I keep a daily diary for what happened in my day EVERY day; and that's been going on for, wow, I'm coming up to my 20th year of keeping my daily diary. And it's in my daily diary that I record down my AFD's. So for the month of February (laughter I hear from my fellow readers - with exclamations of "Nice work Neil, choose the shortest month! - and you wouldn't be far wrong either!) I am going to chalk up 28 AFD's. Of late I've been hammering it pretty hard of a night and I think my body is screaming for a dry out period. So it's cold turkey straight away ... with no easing into it. I usually chip away at this kind of thing each year for the first 4 or so months ... and then come early May for the last 5 years, I stop totally - for a period of gee, well from early May to late September/early October. This is because I compete in natural bodybuilding competitions and so I've gotta have that amount of time to work off the adorable beer gut that is associated with the elixer of the gods. And it's amazing, cause each year I get rid of it, and I actually then see (for only a brief period of time) the most shy, timid and hard to spot creatures in the whole world - and they would be my abs!! They come out for a short while, but then after a brief appearance they scurry off again, not to be seen again for another year! Timid little creatures they are. However it does cause me much sadness to know that my local bottle shop will suffer incredibly during February financially speaking. So there you have it folks ... February the 1st and it coincides with AFD 1 for Neil - I'm actually glad that I've posted this cause it'll also keep me focussed and on track. Because now that all you know, I can't be letting you down. And I will sign off with a simple, bye for the time being (and I'll leave the cheersing till next month) Neil

Guest_3712 Serenity Prayer for all.
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I know a lot of us are facing harder than usual days ahead so I thought I would share this prayer with you. Some of you may know this prayer, I first learnt it in hospital and now have a copy in a frame on my kitchen window sill - I must try ... View more

Hi all, I know a lot of us are facing harder than usual days ahead so I thought I would share this prayer with you. Some of you may know this prayer, I first learnt it in hospital and now have a copy in a frame on my kitchen window sill - I must try to say it more often. God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference. Be kind to yourselves Stressless

Suzbj I will NOT give into this Depression!!
  • replies: 8

It's swarming around me and pulling me down, yet again. But I WILL NOT give in to it. All is well in my world. The past does not equal my future. The power of NOW! Grattitude... I'm NOT going to give in to this horrible feeling of pain!! I WON"T!! View more

It's swarming around me and pulling me down, yet again. But I WILL NOT give in to it. All is well in my world. The past does not equal my future. The power of NOW! Grattitude... I'm NOT going to give in to this horrible feeling of pain!! I WON"T!!

ian6880 S.A.N.E. something for us all to consider
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I hope this helps anyone or for that matter everyone, we all have to have each other’s back we are isolating ourselves too much and paying the price for it. Someone, Anyone, No-one, Everyone We start out our life as someone, a beautiful baby ... View more

Hi all, I hope this helps anyone or for that matter everyone, we all have to have each other’s back we are isolating ourselves too much and paying the price for it. Someone, Anyone, No-one, Everyone We start out our life as someone, a beautiful baby that is loved and adored by all saturated with love and attention, you feel safe because you are SOMEONE As you grow the focus on you appears to become less, is this true where did everyone go, you have so many questions, so many feelings about life and this world, but who to talk to and trust, to feel safe with. At this point you would be happy to be ANYONE As you transition from your teens to adulthood you’re on the edge fighting, struggling, searching to be someone or anyone but all you feel is this deep ominous feeling that no matter what, in ‘this’ world you are NO-ONE. As you grow and become more aware of the world around you, the world continues to get bigger and therefore you feel you are getting smaller more insignificant. When you look at a beach and you see the beautiful white sand, how wonderful, it is something to behold, but when you look closer it is made up of all those individual grains of sand that when looked at individually they appear to be nothing special. But each grain is absolutely necessary to create a beautiful thing and vision that brings so much enjoyment and pleasure to EVERYONE. You are the grain of sand and you play an important role in creating the beauty of your beach, which is the world as are other people, society, friends, family, future friends and family. You may not see or realise your importance until you learn to step back and see the bigger picture, see the beach. It’s funny how people react when someone is born or when someone dies they all smother you with attention for a while and then get back to their own lives wouldn’t balance be nice. It is up to everyone to take time to include someone or anyone and ensure no-one is left alone, at least until they realise how important that individual grain of sand is “IT IS UP TO EVERYONE” Take care everyone Ian

rabbits If you are having a bad day you must read this. Seriously does stuff like this happen to anyone else????
  • replies: 2

Bad things always seem to happen to me. Not even the usual bad things. Bad things happen to me that would NEVER happen to anyone else. I got thinking tonight about all the bad things that have happened over the last few years and I thought I would sh... View more

Bad things always seem to happen to me. Not even the usual bad things. Bad things happen to me that would NEVER happen to anyone else. I got thinking tonight about all the bad things that have happened over the last few years and I thought I would share a few of them here. During a party at an indoor kids playground a gecko fell from a 3 story high roof beam and landed splat on my arm. I rescued a stunned bird from the side of the road, put it in a canvas shopping bag to drive it to the vet. Halfway there the bird woke up and exploded from the bag while I was driving on a 3 lane road. It flew around the inside of the car flapping feathers all over the place before settling down under the accelerator pedal. I had to coast along getting slower and slower until I could move across the lanes to pull over and let it out. I was lying in bed scrolling through my phone when two legs stepped over my eyeball followed by the body of a very large daddy-long-legs spider. There was a weird looking half dead plant in a rusty metal pot in my yard that I decided to get rid of. Without really looking at it I grabbed it with both hands and yanked. Turns out it was a cactus covered in thin almost clear spines. I go running inside yelling for my daughter to get the tweezers because both my hands are full of needles, then spend half an hour sitting there while she tries to find and remove all the spines from my hands. The next day I have the thought that if I didn't know it was a cactus then the kids won't realise either so I can't leave it in the yard. I decide I will just throw the whole thing out, rusty pot and all. So I pick the cactus up by the pot and start carrying it slowly towards the open bin. I get a little way before the rusty bottom of the pot starts to give way, so I start to walk a bit faster, then the sides of the pot start to disintegrate and I end up legging it fast as I can to the bin while carrying this large falling apart pot and giant cactus. I make it just in time and launch the cactus (pot and all) into the bin. At this point the cactus hits the bottom of the bin, snaps in half and rebounds out of the bin slapping me across the face with a great deal of force. For the second time in 2 days I go running into the house screaming for tweezers. Is anyone else's life like this?????

keithc no more psychologist
  • replies: 2

I've cancelled my therapist. I can talk to them until I'm blue in the face but I've realised any difference that is going to be made has to be up to me. I know what to do, I have my tools, I have this website. I just have to apply myself and put it i... View more

I've cancelled my therapist. I can talk to them until I'm blue in the face but I've realised any difference that is going to be made has to be up to me. I know what to do, I have my tools, I have this website. I just have to apply myself and put it into practice. I'm glad i went. I really I am. But I've gone through the entire process before and there are no magic solutions in doing this again. That's just the tough, nasty reality of depression and anxiety and the negativity that comes with it in my case. I know the root causes. It's up to me to overcome them.