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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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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.

contrarymary Gerd and heartburn -any sufferers
  • replies: 4

After what seems like years of persistent chest pain I have been finally been told I have gerd. The worst part is the severe heartburn which always seems to strike at night and worse when lying down. any other sufferers on here with any ideas on how ... View more

After what seems like years of persistent chest pain I have been finally been told I have gerd. The worst part is the severe heartburn which always seems to strike at night and worse when lying down. any other sufferers on here with any ideas on how to sleep that's the worst as it's more painful when lying down and it's very hard to sleep standing up. GP says it's trial and error to find out what food makes the pain worse the way things are going it will be chicken and salad for each meal any fellow heartburn sufferers out there with ideas.

Guest_1055 Laughter & Smiles 😂
  • replies: 4

Hello I just really want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Like something that just bursts out of you. Sometimes I just ache to be able to. I know what it feels like to have that happen. It feels so much better then being gloomy and ... View more

Hello I just really want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Like something that just bursts out of you. Sometimes I just ache to be able to. I know what it feels like to have that happen. It feels so much better then being gloomy and sad. So freeing. I am tired of being sad. I want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Is it possible? And does anyone else think anything similar? What makes you laugh and smile? I do have a few instances in my life that I have just laughed and laughed. Perhaps I will share them. Has anyone else reading experienced instances like that, I would like to read about them. Guess I am hoping this thread might be a good place to share laughter and smiles. Anyway just putting it out there...

BabySteps I Fear that I'm NEVER Going to Live MY Life/Starve In Poverty or Die/TRAGEDY
  • replies: 1

I am 25 Years Old, and I am still trying to pursue my Driver's Licence, AND get my Vehicle, but haven't been able to Drive for Over 9 Months because of Corona Virus - Covid 19, It's a Huge Problem to not have a DRIVER'S LICENCE, And I have a limited ... View more

I am 25 Years Old, and I am still trying to pursue my Driver's Licence, AND get my Vehicle, but haven't been able to Drive for Over 9 Months because of Corona Virus - Covid 19, It's a Huge Problem to not have a DRIVER'S LICENCE, And I have a limited use of Public Transit Skills, because I never need to go anywhere, with the Modern Online Shopping and living directly near a Shopping Plaza/Grocery place I have the convenience, I wouldn't need to use Public Transit unless, I absolutely had to for Work, If I were Possibly Suitably Employed I am wrongly being treated for Schizophrenia, and I have contracted Pre Diabetes Type-2, I've also being perceived wrongly potentially by my GP to have Autism, when I 100% don't have It, I however have Pension, and have saved $16,000 + Thankfully, and I have been able to provide a Smile here and there and something for myself too, I have No Academic Ability to Pursue UNIVERSITY, and I am not Interested In any College Studies, or Mentally Attentively committed, I am not Interested In ANY Practical Hands on Trades/or Apprenticeships, so TAFE Is not for me, Nutrition seems alright, but I don't care entirely enough for It, You can't get Entry Jobs, without Experienced OR Trained Employable Skills, or Further Educational Qualifications, and None of them seem suitable for me, I can only think about RETAIL, and that's Low End Crap, with No Job Security, Work Life Balance/Flexibility and there Just CASUAL Positions, with No Needed Work Benefits, and not enough Abundance of Wealth for Modern Cost's of sustainable Melbourne Living In 2020 I also can't make Friends, because I don't want to Put myself out there, Who would want to be-friend a Turtle Grown Infant, who doesn't Drive at the moment, or have Employment/Sturdy Long Term Employment more so *I ACTUALLY, think about wanting a Escape from Reality, because without my Independence and suitable Employment, Even If I get my Independence later, without Skills/Experience or Further Study I can't even deem for a Entry Job, and ENTRY JOBS are depleting and plainly SHIT, and I want a Decent Life not Just Survival, The only Happiness, besides my Pension Savings Is that (My Brother has advanced a lot better than me)

quince Your good qualities.
  • replies: 8

Hey all, Is anyone is keen to share some of your good qualities? The things about you that you really like, or that make you a good and valuable human? A lot of the time we tend to focus on the critical voice inside which might be telling us why we'r... View more

Hey all, Is anyone is keen to share some of your good qualities? The things about you that you really like, or that make you a good and valuable human? A lot of the time we tend to focus on the critical voice inside which might be telling us why we're not so great. But there's a voice of self kindness in there too, even if it's hard to find sometimes. I am going to try and make it to 10 good qualities, even if it takes me a little while, and I'd love for you to join in. x quince

Travis_R Diet & Wellness
  • replies: 5

Hi All, I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Beyond Blue Forum and can't wait to get to know everyone as we connect now and into the future. I wanted to jump in and ask how people feel their diet relates directly to their physical and mentall wel... View more

Hi All, I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Beyond Blue Forum and can't wait to get to know everyone as we connect now and into the future. I wanted to jump in and ask how people feel their diet relates directly to their physical and mentall wellness and what stratgeies you may be putting in place to help with your Diet. I am a big believer in having balance and setting goals to keep me on track. Look forward to hearing everyones thoughts. Take care, Trav

Lillith_E The power of acceptance
  • replies: 2

Firstly I want to send big love to everyone here. Seeking support, guidance and facing the monsters of mental illness for yourself and loved ones, takes great bravery. Please allow yourself a sincere acknowledgement of this. I am sharing today during... View more

Firstly I want to send big love to everyone here. Seeking support, guidance and facing the monsters of mental illness for yourself and loved ones, takes great bravery. Please allow yourself a sincere acknowledgement of this. I am sharing today during a space of pain, transition and working through acceptance. My journey with mental illness started through DNA, continued on through illness and pain, moving to self discovery/healing and has lead me to a place where I now support others in a Mental health support role. The purpose and pride I feel in my job is something that I hold close to my heart and identity. And it is with great sadness that I am faced with a heavy decision to take a step backwards. Along with mental illness (which I have managed through years of therapy/support and medication) I also have chronic illness (Fibromyalgia and Ankylosing spondolytis) due to the unpredictable nature of these illnesses and a decline in my health - I feel I may have to step down from my roll as a support worker, and engage in work that does not require me to be responsible for the well-being of others. I take great pride in striving to be an exceptional worker, and a light in the lives of those who need it most. But with the instability my health is now presenting, I no longer feel I can provide the kind of support my clients deserve. I guess I am posting, seeking support. And perhaps sharing from others who have experienced this transition? I am soon to begin sessions with a psychiatrist to work through the acceptance of living with these illnesses and taking a step back from a role that gives my life a sense of great meaning.

Meg1977 Help
  • replies: 2

hi lovely people My first post was about dealing with my own anxiety and that of my sons Which im happy to report seems to be abit better. I also mentioned that id started Medication myself which is what im needing support with and this is personal S... View more

hi lovely people My first post was about dealing with my own anxiety and that of my sons Which im happy to report seems to be abit better. I also mentioned that id started Medication myself which is what im needing support with and this is personal So i apoligise if its not allowed i tried to be physical with my hubby since taking Medication and i felt absolutely nothing nada zilch it made me feel 10x worse Hubby said it didnt matter but it did to me ive only been on tablets for 2 wks And am considering stopping for this reason i know it might not seem logical But i want that closeness to my hubby Thoughts?

ecomama SELF-CARE in challenging times and ANY TIME.
  • replies: 13

Hello my beautiful BB FAMILY.. SELF - CARE ugh! I'm going to be all out 100% honest about this term for me, I see it as a 4 letter word x 2 so much worse! I fight with this ALL THE TIME. But then .... just sometimes... I DO SOMETHING... then feel a l... View more

Hello my beautiful BB FAMILY.. SELF - CARE ugh! I'm going to be all out 100% honest about this term for me, I see it as a 4 letter word x 2 so much worse! I fight with this ALL THE TIME. But then .... just sometimes... I DO SOMETHING... then feel a little better that I did lol. I TRUST the body of knowledge that our MH care professionals tell us ALL THE TIME about self-care, I do, but I really super struggle with it. If you have ANY tips and tricks for the self-care battle please share them. I want to swim in the ocean of self-care with all the other self-carers showering care upon themselves and LOVING it. How do you do this? WHAT do you do? In earnest anticipation of us creating our own BB self-care ocean here.... Love EM

KC12 Habits that helped
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I am on the road to recovery from depression and learning to manage my anxiety and I really want to change my life and habits. I think if I manage to create good habits and a healthy lifestyle it can help me in the long term and not sure if i... View more

Hi all, I am on the road to recovery from depression and learning to manage my anxiety and I really want to change my life and habits. I think if I manage to create good habits and a healthy lifestyle it can help me in the long term and not sure if it would help me to recover but I don't think it will hurt either. I just want to know about other people's experience and see what kind of habits did you create that have helped in the long term?