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.

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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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Guest_1055 Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise
  • replies: 4382

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can ... View more

Hey to anyone reading this. Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life. OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time. So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really...... I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

diamondgirl85 How to take care of myself?
  • replies: 1

I'm 38 and the title sounds so lame. But I feel like I don't know how to take care of myself. I make sure our kids (twins and a singleton) are fed, dressed and off to school or daycare, and when I get home all I want to do is sleep. I am constantly e... View more

I'm 38 and the title sounds so lame. But I feel like I don't know how to take care of myself. I make sure our kids (twins and a singleton) are fed, dressed and off to school or daycare, and when I get home all I want to do is sleep. I am constantly exhausted. Tired all the time. I've never had an iron issue, like ever. My house is a mess (I know people will say the housework can wait, but I honestly HATE living in a messy home - it makes me feel so much worse). I've been hitting the junk food and soft drink so hard in recent months. My MIL also passed recently and now I'm having major anxiety about studying and going back to work after being a stay at home mum for the last 8 years. I'm so used to being at home. I've gained 15-20kgs since our youngest was born 19 months ago. I'm just so lost and deflated and I hate that my kids see me like this every day. For context we live an hour outside Toowoomba so a gym membership isn't feasible with the whole cost of living crisis. I have next to no Mum friends as some have either moved away or others have gone back to work and I don't even see them on the school run anymore. My husband works for himself and he's very supportive but even he doesn't understand how my head works sometimes.

Clara1 Self-care
  • replies: 4

I am trying to stay well at the moment by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. I drink plenty of filtered water and herbal tea each day. I feel very tired most of the time event hough I am sleeping 8-10 hours each night.

I am trying to stay well at the moment by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. I drink plenty of filtered water and herbal tea each day. I feel very tired most of the time event hough I am sleeping 8-10 hours each night.

Lana bipolar parents
  • replies: 1

When do you tell people you meet that you are not ignoring them but have bipolar and at times being social is too much. And how do you explain to your kids why you have good and bad days without getting them worried. I would like to know if there are... View more

When do you tell people you meet that you are not ignoring them but have bipolar and at times being social is too much. And how do you explain to your kids why you have good and bad days without getting them worried. I would like to know if there are any parents on this forum living with bipolar. It would be great to connect.

Sasuke Daily dose of gratitude
  • replies: 4

Hi BBers, I have been staying quite low profile on the forum despite joining a few years ago and this is my first ever post. I feel that my mental health has improved by leaps and bounds since. I personally found that thinking of 1 thing I have been ... View more

Hi BBers, I have been staying quite low profile on the forum despite joining a few years ago and this is my first ever post. I feel that my mental health has improved by leaps and bounds since. I personally found that thinking of 1 thing I have been grateful of each day has really changed my mindset and outlook so am hoping to continue this thread. One thing I am grateful of today is that my dog came up to me for cuddles before I left for work.

Samadhi-Enjoyer I want to become a Freemason - Any thoughts/experiences?
  • replies: 2

I've made a lot of progress on my journey and after a lot of reflection and meditation, I've concluded one thing about my heart's calling; I want to be an awesome dad for my future kids. I feel like this is easily my highest aspiration and what I int... View more

I've made a lot of progress on my journey and after a lot of reflection and meditation, I've concluded one thing about my heart's calling; I want to be an awesome dad for my future kids. I feel like this is easily my highest aspiration and what I intend to devote the rest of my life to; to become the best role model and mentor of my own blood. In saying that, I want to progressively live more of a life that my kids can look up to and be inspired by, which requires I look up to and am inspired by myself. So I think one of the best ways is to become a Freemason. I've been looking into Freemasonry for a while now and the core tenets and I find I'm progressively getting more and more keen to become one. The focus on self development, being a better man, father, son, husband, etc. is what really appeals to me. Plus I find the ancient traditions and rites to fit my personality and outlook on living. As well as that feeling of connection with likeminded and altruistic men. I truly feel like this is my heart's calling. Even if I never join the Masons, I would gladly settle for the Lions or the Rotarians. I feel like anyway I can be a part of something like that will fulfill a core need in my being. Has anyone on this forum been a Mason or had experience with them? I would love to hear some inspiration!

quirkywords What I learned today.?
  • replies: 8

Sometimes when I am having a challenging day I like to think of something I learned no matter how small.I thought it would be interesting to see what others learn each day. what I learnt today.?I found that a person being helpful makes me smile.

Sometimes when I am having a challenging day I like to think of something I learned no matter how small.I thought it would be interesting to see what others learn each day. what I learnt today.?I found that a person being helpful makes me smile.

Kirb86 I really want to change
  • replies: 4

I've been wanting to make a change for a long time, but I can never stick to it. I want to talk to others that suffer depression and have turned to alcohol for comfort or realease, but managed to dig themselves out again and been able to quit drinkin... View more

I've been wanting to make a change for a long time, but I can never stick to it. I want to talk to others that suffer depression and have turned to alcohol for comfort or realease, but managed to dig themselves out again and been able to quit drinking or just enjoy a drink in moderation. All of my friends drink, my partner drinks, my parents drink but I really feel it is taking over and making me less of the person I really want to be. I don't know how to do this, I'm scared. I don't want to lose the connections I have but I want to be healthier and I don't want alcohol to be something I depend on to get through. I just want to know how did you do it?

Elithia Chronic Pain - good days and bad days
  • replies: 40

Hi lovely people, So my main mental health challenge these days relates to living with chronic pain. I wondered if there might be others in the same situation? It's a tricky topic: it doesn't fit neatly into anxiety or depression, and so I've posted ... View more

Hi lovely people, So my main mental health challenge these days relates to living with chronic pain. I wondered if there might be others in the same situation? It's a tricky topic: it doesn't fit neatly into anxiety or depression, and so I've posted it here. I'm thinking of a thread where people can share their good days (strategies that work; small victories; celebrations) as well as bad days (hitting the wall; or just those dark nights of the soul when pain gets in the way of sleep). If you are living with chronic (or acute) pain, and this thread sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading. Wamest wishes, Elithia

HGR Closet cross dresser at times
  • replies: 2

I've recently separated with my wife after 33ys & have three kids.I'm a closet cross dresser.I feel such a failure and so sad most of the time.I don't know who to talk to.

I've recently separated with my wife after 33ys & have three kids.I'm a closet cross dresser.I feel such a failure and so sad most of the time.I don't know who to talk to.