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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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Meghan74 Stressed
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight... View more

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight pulling me down. I feel alright at home, but as soon as I go out the door I feel a bit uncomfortable. When I’m out in public with friends, or with family I feel fine. It’s just when I’m by myself I feel vulnerable. As someone who has never felt self conscious, why do I feel like this now? Please let me know if you guys have any tips or suggestions! I just want to be feel good again:(

carer1 why bother
  • replies: 3

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for hel... View more

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for help and the government tells you your issues are not permanent and are medical so you dont qualify. even though you cant function day to day like others do. you've done the best you can to care for others. now you need care and there is none. I learned what a fraud the mental health and disability systems are.

JAGmum Hi-polar Acceptance after 2 years of denial=Peace
  • replies: 1

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best... View more

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best friend. I’ve been championing my cause by putting my egoic agenda aside and just listening to the experts in their fields. It’s been the most peaceful stage of this rocky journey. And my pottery has taken on a whole new level!

Lonewog89 Push over
  • replies: 6

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble... View more

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble and comply even if it disadvantages me. Chris

Eternal_Happiness f.lux Blue Light Filter for Computers/Laptops
  • replies: 1

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the comput... View more

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the computer screen longer without worrying. There is even app for your phone so that it doesn't cause panic attacks. It's free and safe. Available on the microsoft store too

startingnew Self care Ideas
  • replies: 9

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away

Kahlilli My pet is made it worse not better
  • replies: 4

About five years ago my mother had this wonderful idea that a pet would help me with my condition. She nagged at me until I bought a dog. Looking back I should have just told her no and leave me alone. Ever since I got that dog the stress in my life ... View more

About five years ago my mother had this wonderful idea that a pet would help me with my condition. She nagged at me until I bought a dog. Looking back I should have just told her no and leave me alone. Ever since I got that dog the stress in my life has rocketed. I worry constantly that it has enough water, that it has had enough to eat, that it has had enough exercise. On top of this it barks every evening whenever it hears a sound. I will be reading a book or on the computer and hear bark bark bark bark all the time, which our neighbours already says annoys them. I tell it off and then a few minutes later it just starts up again. My blood pressure has gone though the roof and now I need to take tablets for that as well. Yesterday was particularly bad, in the morning I got up and looked at my herbs in my pot and thought to myself, even though the dog has ripped them up 4 times so far they have bounced back and are doing ok, then the dog ripped them up again that evening and I just lost it. I threw something in the kitchen sink and made a dent and the sink costs around $400. I'm so tired of catering to a dumb animal, that's how I see this dog: a burden that I hate and can't get rid of until it dies. When I take it for walks it runs off after kangaroos and I've nearly lost it three times. All this stress I just don't need. Also it barks sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes up to four times and I am a light sleeper and have insomnia. Sometimes I just sit and cry thinking about how much harder life is now that I have a dog and how one stupid mistake cost me so much. So dogs might be good for some people or for mentally ill people that don't have to look after them but for me it made my life a living hell.

Over_and_Over How to keep going
  • replies: 4

I’d like to know how to function, how to fill in your days when most of society treat you as worthless and you have no family. Your friends think you should take a tablet, but they don’t get it....problems don’t disappear by swallowing a pill. Lonlin... View more

I’d like to know how to function, how to fill in your days when most of society treat you as worthless and you have no family. Your friends think you should take a tablet, but they don’t get it....problems don’t disappear by swallowing a pill. Lonliness and feeling worthwhile, I exercise early in the morning when no one can see. My days are long and dark, and what for? Only to do the same thing over and over,

Keziah Dealing with negative self-thoughts and anxiety due to being a non-driver in a car-centric society
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I don't have a formal diagnosis, but tend to get anxiety symptoms and struggle with self worth when life is not going well. At the moment I am in the middle of diversifying my career. However it has brought up a lot of anxieties and stigma I ... View more

Hi all, I don't have a formal diagnosis, but tend to get anxiety symptoms and struggle with self worth when life is not going well. At the moment I am in the middle of diversifying my career. However it has brought up a lot of anxieties and stigma I feel about being a non-driver. A lot of jobs require a license, but although I learnt to drive I have very poor spatial skills and discovered from online tests that I cannot make a cognitive map in my head, meaning I get lost easily even in familiar areas. Some people with this condition can drive, but I find that this condition plus anxiety about having an accident makes it impossible to drive safely. I get really confused about which lanes to use at intersections and also fail to see oncoming traffic in my peripheral vision at roundabouts among other things. However most people where I live do drive and think I could drive if I just tried harder or did x, y or z. They don't understand why it is so hard for me and have even accused me of being lazy or not believing in myself enough. My mum has the same problem with driving and one of my brothers prefers not to drive so I know it is a genetic condition, not a personal fault. This doesn't stop me falling into a spiral of self-loathing about not driving or anxiety about finding work in my new field (even though I already have public-transport accessible work one day week in this field). It would be so much easier to get more work with a license and I become self-critical about my inadequacy, even though I would never judge anyone else for being unable to drive for whatever reason. Any tips for dealing with others' attitudes without judging myself? In the past I just focused on the positives such as the money I save, reading on public transport, being environmentally friendly and the benefits of mixing with diverse people. But lately when people tell me I could never do this or that job without a license - despite having all the other required skills and temperament - and ask how someone otherwise so intelligent can't find their way around easily enough to drive I start feeling really down about the situation and it also makes me more anxious. This has the knock on affect or making it hard to look for jobs because I get an anxiety attack just looking for jobs that don't need a license. Please just advice for anxious, self-judging non-drivers. Telling me I could drive if I just did x, y or z will just make me more anxious!

Dorey Started Drinking Again
  • replies: 2

I’m trying to find triggers that has made me drive to the bottle shop and get a carton of beer. i haven’t drank in ages but today I wanted too and it’s not because I want one, am on my own working away from my family but it’s been ok until tonight. i... View more

I’m trying to find triggers that has made me drive to the bottle shop and get a carton of beer. i haven’t drank in ages but today I wanted too and it’s not because I want one, am on my own working away from my family but it’s been ok until tonight. ive drank six bottles in one hour and have work tomorrow it’s like my mind is just doing it without me wanting too. im taking anti depressants and have been for nearly a year now. i keep fit and have been running also just don’t know what has made me decide to start drinking again tonight.