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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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Jolly_Chaplin Turning negatives into positives
  • replies: 4

Ever feel like everything happens to you? Feel like something wrong is just bound to happen in any given experience? Instead, think ‘Things are happening for me.’ The key element here is seeing things as an opportunity. A chance to change, grow, beco... View more

Ever feel like everything happens to you? Feel like something wrong is just bound to happen in any given experience? Instead, think ‘Things are happening for me.’ The key element here is seeing things as an opportunity. A chance to change, grow, become a better person by picking that path which is true to yourself. You don’t have to make a huge leap. It is the accumulation of small steps that creates your better life. Don’t let one failure determine your whole future. Just because someone stumbles and loses themselves along the way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.

Anon285 Can’t exercise because of injury
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I am curious about your ideas on how to stay positive/feel good when unable to exercise - I have a hip condition caused by bone structure which cannot be fixed without a risky operation, and it flared up when I went for a cycle so I haven’t... View more

Hi there, I am curious about your ideas on how to stay positive/feel good when unable to exercise - I have a hip condition caused by bone structure which cannot be fixed without a risky operation, and it flared up when I went for a cycle so I haven’t been able to exercise for about a month and feel my mood going quite downhill, and it’s not certain when I’ll be able to move normally again (a wrist injury restricts upper body exercise too). I can do a few movements (restricted) but not get my heart rate up. I don’t know when I’ll be able to do cardio exercise again or how many more times this will happen. I’m curious what keeps your mood up when you can’t exercise, as getting your heart rate up can really help with concentration and feeling happier in general. Thanks for reading this, I’m interested in hearing your points of view.

Angienewmum Need sleeping tips as a new mum
  • replies: 6

So I finally welcomed my newborn almost 4 weeks ago ,it's been a hard slog with some postnatal depression but found myself not being able to fall asleep during the day when the baby is sleeping with the result being just 2 -3 hours in the early eveni... View more

So I finally welcomed my newborn almost 4 weeks ago ,it's been a hard slog with some postnatal depression but found myself not being able to fall asleep during the day when the baby is sleeping with the result being just 2 -3 hours in the early evening,Ive tried sound therapy, supplements,juices,eye masks,teas,wine.Now it just seems when I try to fall asleep I become hyper anxious .Does anyone have any tips or ideas to achieve falling asleep quickly and also during the day?I wish to try alternative ways before thinking about any type of medication.

ScarlettR Watching City 4K videos on Youtube to remain feeling connected during pandemic times
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have a mental illness and depression, but I love walking around in public and people watching. It's always refreshing no matter what day it is or how I woke up that morning. Now in the pandemic, it's not possible with the cities being in lockdo... View more

Hi, I have a mental illness and depression, but I love walking around in public and people watching. It's always refreshing no matter what day it is or how I woke up that morning. Now in the pandemic, it's not possible with the cities being in lockdown. But on Youtube, there are videos - called 4k videos - of people filming themselves walking through streets in cities around the world. Basically, the filming person is holding a camera or tripod and record their walk from their point of view, from about 30 minutes to up to 3 hours, just walking through cities and passing people and shops. London and American ones are quite entertaining, and I do watch walking videos from my hometown, Melbourne. Being in the lockdown, it gives me a slight release by watching what's going on in the outside world. If I can't go out yet in public, at least I can watch it for free online, yes? For those who get depressed or anxious, do you like these kind of videos?

Rooster19 Wanting to not feel so alone!!
  • replies: 1

Hi I am in a pretty isolated place right now. I just wanna see if someone can relate to my situation. I turn 40 on Saturday. I resigned from a teaching career three weeks ago which wasn't working for me so now I have had to move back in with my Mum w... View more

Hi I am in a pretty isolated place right now. I just wanna see if someone can relate to my situation. I turn 40 on Saturday. I resigned from a teaching career three weeks ago which wasn't working for me so now I have had to move back in with my Mum which is 1500km away from where I was working. Being 40 and living with my Mum is not something I am very happy with. I naively thought I was fitter and more adaptable than it turns out I am. I would like to work in a job that is hands-on like a trade. I don't know whether I can because I have a back issue and other things that come with being my age. I would also like to become confident and resilient enough to meet a woman and start a family. I thought doing a job that fulfilled me might help but now I don't now what to do for a career. The whole trade thing feels like it might have been a bit of a pipe dream and something I should have investigated 20 years ago. Feeling pretty shattered and disappointed right now. I am struggling to find my identity and self-belief in a new environment. As a 40yo single, unemployed male with 2 university degrees who is very unhappy with himself, I am very unsure of where to start. Is it possible to find hope and overcome things like this? Can anyone please share any similar experiences that could offer me some hope? Do I start on the mental health side of things first (treatment etc)? Being unemployed at least I don't have added job stressors. Should I try and somehow sweep all the relationship stuff aside? I have never had a girlfriend before. This is just an honest snapshot of where I am at. If anyone can relate to my situation, please reply to this thread. I would appreciate not feeling so alone with this all. Kind regards

spontaneous sunflower How to remain sane during Melbourne lockdown?
  • replies: 1

I think maintaining some sort of routine is important when you struggle with anxiety, but I find it so difficult to keep a routine going longer than a week and it’s even harder now in Melbourne stage 4 lockdown. I don’t have a job and I don’t study, ... View more

I think maintaining some sort of routine is important when you struggle with anxiety, but I find it so difficult to keep a routine going longer than a week and it’s even harder now in Melbourne stage 4 lockdown. I don’t have a job and I don’t study, so I am stuck at home. I feel so unproductive with most of my days and on the days I do something productive such as exercising or cleaning, I try to drag it out as long as I can, which I know won’t be maintainable once things return back to normal. I find it so hard to get out of bed in the mornings, I feel bored all the time and I’m just going crazy! I spend way too much time on my phone and I feel so sluggish all the time. I want to spend less time on my phone, i want to get up a little earlier and have a better morning routine. And I want to workout regularly and eat better. I’ve been eating either too little or too much during lockdown 🤦🏼‍ I’ve tried to incorporate activities into my day such as reading or spending time in my backyard but it’s just not enough. As I’m sure many of us are, I’m just so over lockdown. I miss my friends, I’m sick of messaging them or video chatting, I want to be able to hug them. I want a routine and a sense of normal back.

SapereAude R U OK Day 2020 - 10 September
  • replies: 6

R U OK Day 2020 is due to be held on September 10. Whilst mental health is always crucial, it takes on new meaning this year under unprecentedetr circumstances. Don't wait for the official day, but start now. Ask your family, friends and workmates, "... View more

R U OK Day 2020 is due to be held on September 10. Whilst mental health is always crucial, it takes on new meaning this year under unprecentedetr circumstances. Don't wait for the official day, but start now. Ask your family, friends and workmates, "R U OK?" Time to reconnect and help others through these tough times.

Kjp1409 Dealing with chronic illness
  • replies: 6

Hey guys! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease late last year and have really struggled with all the symptoms. A big part of the symptoms are depression and anxiety and I just get so overwhelmed with sadness from feeling like I'm running at only ... View more

Hey guys! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease late last year and have really struggled with all the symptoms. A big part of the symptoms are depression and anxiety and I just get so overwhelmed with sadness from feeling like I'm running at only 60% every day. I have a great support network but often feel like I'm so negative all the time or like I'm always complaining and don't want to burden anyone. Is there anyone else on here who struggles with a chronic illness and can relate? No one else in my life has an autoimmune disease and I would love to be able to chat to someone on here who can understand the struggle and can give some tips on coping with the mental and physical symptoms. Hope you're all holding up okay during this pandemic- what a weird time we live in right now!

SwansandSharksMan Facebook and Friends
  • replies: 3

I have always had a policy in my Facebook life of not having any work colleagues as Facebook friends. I have just always wanted to keep work and personal life separate. Does anyone else believe in this? Lately, I have been thinking of breaking this r... View more

I have always had a policy in my Facebook life of not having any work colleagues as Facebook friends. I have just always wanted to keep work and personal life separate. Does anyone else believe in this? Lately, I have been thinking of breaking this rule? As I am working from home and not seeing my colleagues as often, I was thinking of adding work colleagues to my facebook? What are the pitfalls to this? Small things like finding out a group at work went out and didn't invite you etc? My boss's job almost borders on HR and she has said she cannot have certain people at work as facebook friends. My wife is a teacher and cannot have students. She has to have a false name so she cannot be found by students. What are your thoughts?

Wishes How to Host an Online Games Night
  • replies: 6

Something I've really struggled with in iso is being able to create a space where meaningful connections and laughs can be created with my friends. So I thought I'd detail some ideas as to how to host a games night online, which I can personally say ... View more

Something I've really struggled with in iso is being able to create a space where meaningful connections and laughs can be created with my friends. So I thought I'd detail some ideas as to how to host a games night online, which I can personally say I've done and did not regret! SOME STEPS Choose your platform- Zoom? Facebook Messenger Video Chat? Facetime? Skype? Google Meet? Microsoft Teams? The options are endless! Send out the link to your friends, and dedicate some time to a great hangout. Pick a theme. No, seriously. It sounds silly, but it brings the level of the games night that next step up. We had a 'Wild West' theme one night, and my friends all tried to find a cowboy hat, a plush toy stallion, and some kind of flannel! Other ideas include 'Royalty', 'PJ night', 'When I Grow Up...', 'Anything but a Hat', 'I'd Never Wear This Out', 'Crazy Hair', 'Masked Mayhem' and 'All White/Black/Red' night. Pick some games! Let me list some out. Scattergories. It's a classic. Type in 'Scattergories' into Google Images, pick a list, pick a random letter, and set a timer for 3 minutes! You write down a word for every category in the list beginning with that letter, and hope that no one else wrote it down too, or you lose that point! House Hunt. You give each other a list of 5 household items, and the first one to bring every item onto screen first wins! For example, you may say "Bring me a banana, a spoon, a book, a towel and a spatula!". Skribbl.io - This game is an online one, but just requires a link to be sent out to play! It's basically live, online pictionary. So fun. Household Fashion Show - Make your room the runway! The participants have 3 minutes to find an item for categories you decide to make up. For example, you may say construct an outfit out of some kind of paper, a bowl, a sheet, a pair of gloves and a hat. Jumbled Jargon - Get a really long word that no one will know the definition of. Put the word in chat, and have everyone private message you their version of the definition. Then, send everyone's definitions into the group chat or read them out. Players get a point if people believe their definition is the correct one, or if they guess the correct definition of the word! These are just a few ideas to improve your pixel parties. Let me know below if you have any other games that you are using to connect with friends at the moment! Excited to see a thread full of fun ideas.