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.

FAQ

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

Forums guidelines

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

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

Thebluepineapple Talking about mental health in romantic relationships?
  • replies: 6

Does anyone have tips and tricks about starting the conversation about mental health with loved ones? I chicken out every time i am asked if i am ok....

Does anyone have tips and tricks about starting the conversation about mental health with loved ones? I chicken out every time i am asked if i am ok....

Donnabalnor fedup
  • replies: 4

hi in a bad mood yesterday daughter too busy to come down to me live 5mins drive and I had a 15kg bag of dog food in the car I suffer from arthritis in both hands and by the time I got the bag indoors I was in tears with the pain but when she comes d... View more

hi in a bad mood yesterday daughter too busy to come down to me live 5mins drive and I had a 15kg bag of dog food in the car I suffer from arthritis in both hands and by the time I got the bag indoors I was in tears with the pain but when she comes down to me her dog love my high quality dog food. today very hot in Perth took the dogs out at 6am they just sat in the shade for 90mins no change to speak with the other dogs so spoke to no one, came home and wanted a drink so got in the car and drove around for 1hour till the bottle shops open having a drink now just cheap from Aldi. When in get very low I cannot be bothered to take my meds has that happened to other people

AlexDeLoser Why can't I sleep?
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my experiences with sleep for any tips or to learn if anyone else has experienced the same. It's very difficult for me to sleep and I don't even really know exactly why. Usually at this time when i'm trying to go ... View more

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my experiences with sleep for any tips or to learn if anyone else has experienced the same. It's very difficult for me to sleep and I don't even really know exactly why. Usually at this time when i'm trying to go to bed I feel dead inside. I feel like I should be doing something, that I want there to be a reason/purpose for me going to sleep to wake up to, though ironically, I end up doing the most unproductive things like continuing to play games. It's like I want to go to sleep because I feel so exhausted but at the same time I hate being so bored? I don't even know if any of that makes sense to anyone. From what I can reason with, I believe I may be feeling this way because of my lack of purpose in life- I've dropped out of my studies 3 times in completely different fields, as nothing of interest has caught my attention. I swear to god; I'm not just saying it- I literally find everything that is useful to learn about, boring. I don't know what to do. If i'm honest, I think the reason why I feel this way might just be because I'm stupid or something, like, legitimately stupid, or lazy, or maybe both.

Rukirra Setting goals
  • replies: 4

I've been told that setting goals can help in overcoming depression and anxiety. What are some examples of goals that helped you? I'm looking for short-term and medium-term goal options. I currently have one goal, and that is to lose weight. But i am... View more

I've been told that setting goals can help in overcoming depression and anxiety. What are some examples of goals that helped you? I'm looking for short-term and medium-term goal options. I currently have one goal, and that is to lose weight. But i am needing more day to day things to help distract me.

Fielder Self care and hypochondria
  • replies: 2

It’s hard to know how to make this reasonably short. I have rather a lot of anxiety, mostly social, but lately it feels that the hypochondria I have usually been aware of with some sense of humour has been getting worse, and I’m not really sure how t... View more

It’s hard to know how to make this reasonably short. I have rather a lot of anxiety, mostly social, but lately it feels that the hypochondria I have usually been aware of with some sense of humour has been getting worse, and I’m not really sure how to better respond to it. Specifically, I’m very keen on the idea of self care, attention to your own needs rather than repression, etc. But then what about when your attention to your own needs gets you regularly thinking really silly, paranoid things? I realise this is vague and to some degree I mean it as a vague question. If you know you have a tendency to blow health concerns out of proportion, what can you do instead! Ignore all fears out of hand? Who is supposed to notice this stuff if not you? Part of the general anxiety question is how do you know, when resisting anxiety, that you’re not being complacent?

Samsonsam Cold showers
  • replies: 5

Has anyone tried cold showers in the morning to reduce stress and inflammation caused by stress? If so how were your results?

Has anyone tried cold showers in the morning to reduce stress and inflammation caused by stress? If so how were your results?

Dingus I’m anorexic and would like advice to help me develop a healthier diet
  • replies: 1

I’ve had anorexia for over 3 years now and my weight has fluctuated a lot throughout. At the beginning of this year, my parents split and my mum has moved into a new home and my dad moved to a different state to work. I only live with my older brothe... View more

I’ve had anorexia for over 3 years now and my weight has fluctuated a lot throughout. At the beginning of this year, my parents split and my mum has moved into a new home and my dad moved to a different state to work. I only live with my older brother who isn’t the greatest when it comes to emotional support but is a lovely person by all means. Recently I’ve gotten myself into an unhealthy routine where I eat around 300-1000 calories a day and I’ve began to feel quite run down every day. I work late, so I eat my dinner around 9:30pm sometimes and I hate doing this because I’m always terrified of becoming bloated but at the same time I enjoy eating at night as I don’t eat much throughout the day and it’s comforting. I am fully aware of how this is negatively affecting my physical health yet it’s very difficult for me to eat anymore than I do during the day (mainly because I hate he feeling of being full). I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me. Thank you.

white knight Overweight?
  • replies: 2

It must be torturous to dream of being a model as a career choice when your BMI (body mass index is pear shaped (sic). We are told we can be anything we choose to become in life which is so false as if an elephant chose to enter greyhound racing. As ... View more

It must be torturous to dream of being a model as a career choice when your BMI (body mass index is pear shaped (sic). We are told we can be anything we choose to become in life which is so false as if an elephant chose to enter greyhound racing. As a person that is nearly as tall lying down as standing up, I cringe when the doctor asks me to stand on the scales... in fact I now refuse. “Thanks anyway doc, but I know you’ll say my BMI is bad and I should lose weight and I can’t and I’ll get depressed about your comments then have to return to talk to you about these triggers that started with those scales” Ok, so I don’t believe in the BMI. I can’t stick to diets that have been on and off for 50 years now and when I have been motivated enough to lose 15 kilo over say 6 months lurking in my subconscious is the fact- I’m going to put most of it back on. My 4 aunties on my dads side were all over 180kg. My mother was dumpy, what hope is there to be average weight for height?-BMI? Zero. Sounds negative yes? Not quite. Balance is something I have implemented. Very little alcohol, gave up smoking 32 years ago, plenty of fruit and veggies and sugar free biscuits. With a past history of anxiety now free, bipolar and dysthymia I’m a worrier, so continuing to worry over anything has its own health risks like stroke and heart conditions along with more depressive episodes. So while I’m not a dietician,GP, etc I am an expert in my own capacities to lose weight. It is pathetic. But I do know that there comes a time when one should be realistic and drop the dreams of being that greyhound. Be who you are and be sensible with eating. Slice that fat off the bacon, dish up one less sausage, give yogurt a try instead of double cream etc and walk and walk. Swap thoughts of your spare tyre with focussing on deep breathing, receive the joy of picking your own veggies instead of take away... subtle change will improve your health with lower stress levels and you’ll feel more alive. We attend our GP to maintain good health, some of it is in our own hands. Enjoy life better with good healthy foods and a daily exercise regime. TonyWK

Guest5643 Loud and proud🐾🐾
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm proud and have no shame my dog was my mental illness assistance dog and will be again. People have and will judge us but so be it i feel sorry for them. Lynne

Hi I'm proud and have no shame my dog was my mental illness assistance dog and will be again. People have and will judge us but so be it i feel sorry for them. Lynne

Yarraman Bushfires
  • replies: 5

It's hard for me to turn on the tv at the moment as I can't seem to cope with all the bad fires. And I was an auxiliary firefighter and am a rural firefighter. I suffer from depression. I can't understand why this is affecting me this way. As it norm... View more

It's hard for me to turn on the tv at the moment as I can't seem to cope with all the bad fires. And I was an auxiliary firefighter and am a rural firefighter. I suffer from depression. I can't understand why this is affecting me this way. As it normally wouldn't. Hope all stay safe.