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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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the_flash Advice for High Functioning Depression and Relationships
  • replies: 7

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under, but I decided this one anyway. Firstly, I'd just like to say that last time I was here, I found it very comforting to talk to everyone, and it really did help. I feel like I have managed to stay on top of... View more

I wasn't sure which thread to put this under, but I decided this one anyway. Firstly, I'd just like to say that last time I was here, I found it very comforting to talk to everyone, and it really did help. I feel like I have managed to stay on top of my live for these last couple of months. I'm doing well in school (term 3, year 10) and have enjoyed doing things a lot more then I have in a long time. I have seen the darker side of mental health and do feel like it has made me a more resilient person. The are two questions/ideas I wanted to discuss: How to cope with change in relationships, and how to have "reasonable" standards in a relationship. The first talking about mostly teachers, the second talking about personal relationships. When I say change, I am personally talking about when I leave high school. I have very close relationships with some of my teacher and I respect them and they respect me. Over the years, I feel I have become closer to some of them (in a completely non-sexual way). I feel like I can always ask them questions and they'll always listen. Honestly speaking, I probably have more teacher-friends then classmate-friends. (Do I sound pathetic yet?) I just feel like I am going to find it difficult to have them leave my life when I finish high school and relapse. I think I just need some way to mentally prepare myself for the end of school. The second question was referring to me having intimate relationships with a significant other. I would like to say that I don't plan on being in a relationship soon and would rather focus on school, but I still need to change my standards otherwise there is a very high chance I am going to be alone for the rest of my life. I have fulfillment now, but eventually this will most likely change. I have had two relationships in the past, and I have learned from them, but, at the same time, increased my standards by a stupid amount. I don't find myself attracted to any real people (TV show characters don't count, right?). I am pan(sexual) and have accepted myself, but simply don't know how to lower my standards to the point where I actually want to stay with my partner longer then two months, let alone the rest of my life. As I said, I am not looking for a partner right now, but in the somewhat distant future (maybe during or after university). Any reply is welcome, thanks Kirby P.S. I am 16, and their are about 20 students in my year. I am also the radical stereotype of an introvert, and am christian.

Spearmint Does anyone else find gardening therapeutic?
  • replies: 21

I'm attempting to grow some of my own food as I really like the idea of being self sustainable. Being outside, connecting with nature, watching my plants grow and produce food over time brings about a sense of peace and purpose. Does anyone else find... View more

I'm attempting to grow some of my own food as I really like the idea of being self sustainable. Being outside, connecting with nature, watching my plants grow and produce food over time brings about a sense of peace and purpose. Does anyone else find gardening helps with depression/mental illness? What are you all growing? I'm still a beginner, I spent months watering a plant that turned out to be just a weed haha. I have some capsicums getting nice and fat, also I have planted broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage seeds a couple of weeks ago.

Loula Mental health is a circle
  • replies: 4

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stab... View more

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stable or be well. I have Bipolar and I’m coming to realise it will always control me. That I will never ever beat it. I will learn to live with it but I will never control it. As much medication I take as many sessions I have with my psychiatrist I still can wake up sick tomorrow and it sucks. And I’m really hating it as I’m a control freak! Dose anyone get to the point that they get tired on being on the circle? I hate getting ill and having to fight my way out. Like the fight is not the struggle I’ve come out of pure black times before I can do it agin but why do I want to fight jut to get better for a few months to stay on the circle. Just why can’t it go away like a cold. I hate that this is for life. I hate having to wake up every day planing every moment out so I don’t get triggered, that’s not living. I just want to get of the circle and I don’t know breath. Sorry lots of thoughts.

Gypsy_1 My Exercise Routine
  • replies: 4

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extre... View more

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extremely anxious..it takes a lot of energy at times to make myself go because I know it's good for me mentally to mix & to socialise.. Thank you very much..Gypsy 1

Gypsy_1 My Staying Well Routine!!
  • replies: 5

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find ... View more

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find it to be very liberating & validating..I do lots of homework with my psychologist..I have learned so much from attending those appointments..thanks Gypsy 1

Guest_032 Getting to the end of my tether
  • replies: 5

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, don... View more

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, done meditation, yoga, deep breathing, resting etc... so I really don’t think I’m going to get back to sleep. Plus I’m on iPad with the night time mode on, so trying to limit the blue light. Plus I need some form of support. It's hard. I do fantasise about not being here anymore. But more in the way of not having these things on my shoulders anymore. There's no way I could actually go through with anything. At the moment I'm just so exhausted that it would feel amazing to go to sleep and never wake up. But in saying that. I want to - my kids, my boyfriend, my family, my friends. I have so many reasons to be here, and so many things that make me ‘happy’. I just feel that my anxiety and depression at the moment is robbing me of my joy. It’s taking the good out of my life and my feelings. I just want what I'm dealing with at the moment to stop. In a way being told by one of my psychologists that she feels things are related to stress makes me feel good. Means that hopefully if I can manage the stress and how I relate to it, deal with it etc. Then I might be able to get on top of all of this. Because it's all encompassing. I don't feel like a person. I just feel like I'm existing. Not even existing. Just there. I feel like positive emotions are out of reach. And when I do get them on the rare occasion, I feel too exhausted and frazzled to enjoy them. Think I do really need to sort out a bit of a bare minimum. Most of my 'self care' has been using food to work through my feelings. Even now. Chocolate plays a big part. Helps to numb. Numb is almost positive, because it’s not so negative. I just feel like I'm in a ditch. In a pool that I can't get out of. It's exhausting to stay down here. My head doesn't seem to know what to do anymore. Especially being so sleep deprived. I find it so frustrating in a way. I’m usually a high achiever. Yet at the moment, sometimes having a shower is too much. I still try and put on that happy face at work so that I can get through the day. But even that’s starting to crack.

Guest_032 Plan for down days
  • replies: 10

Hi Just seeing if anyone has worked on a plan for the days where things aren’t going so well. Thinking along the lines of things that I need to try and do. Things that if I push myself to do I know I’ll feel better for. Also a list of things that I c... View more

Hi Just seeing if anyone has worked on a plan for the days where things aren’t going so well. Thinking along the lines of things that I need to try and do. Things that if I push myself to do I know I’ll feel better for. Also a list of things that I can do to help, people I can talk to, apps etc. Has anyone done anything like this? Sounds like a good idea, so surely I’m not the only one that has thought of it lol. I just find that on my days where I’m really low, I need a bit of a checklist. Then I don’t actually have to use any brain power to decide what I need to do, and it helps to prevent me from spiralling too far down.

butterfly_123 dellusional disorder
  • replies: 1

has anyone been diagnosed with dellusional disorder or disacciative episodes. how did your recovery go? does it still impact you after medication

has anyone been diagnosed with dellusional disorder or disacciative episodes. how did your recovery go? does it still impact you after medication

Guest_032 Self Care
  • replies: 1

What do you do for self care? I work full time. Mum of 2. Both with special needs. So time is limited. But I also understand that I need to look after myself. Apparently my major depression and anxiety are probably caused from chronic stress.

What do you do for self care? I work full time. Mum of 2. Both with special needs. So time is limited. But I also understand that I need to look after myself. Apparently my major depression and anxiety are probably caused from chronic stress.

Guest_032 Sleep help
  • replies: 1

I’m really struggling with sleep. I’ve managed to get an average of 2-3 hours a night for the last few weeks. I’ve been trying so many different things. Yoga. Meditation. Sleeping tablets. Nothing seems to be helping. Any tips?

I’m really struggling with sleep. I’ve managed to get an average of 2-3 hours a night for the last few weeks. I’ve been trying so many different things. Yoga. Meditation. Sleeping tablets. Nothing seems to be helping. Any tips?