First time here

[Now]

Hi there,

This is the first time I have posted here. I have anxiety,depression and chronic pain & find I feel better when I am able to express how I am feeling or what is worrying me. I have good professional support and understanding. I'm posting today as I am going through a period of high stress which is affecting my anxiety. My week has been quite emotionally draining and today I feel "unwell", I am extremely fatigued, my appetite decreases when I am like this & I feel nauseated, which I hate, my thinking and responses are slow and I'm just generally slow - can someone share with me, their experiences of this?. I try to exercise as I know it is good for mental health, but it is so hard to get going and what types of foods are good for mental health/easy healthy meals, I find it is quite easy to reach out for sugary/fatty foods & I want to change that. Does anyone know of some websites I can go to. I do practice mindfulness and stretch, but even today I have been a bit slack, but will so some after this, just so tired presently. Thank you for your assistance.

[Skary Bill]

Hey Now,

I'm pretty new here too, but since I'm sitting here awake, I thought I might as well make myself useful and welcome you. 🙂

FWIW, I'm definitely working on some similar things to you. With one big exception.. My appetite has been going nuts on me for the last few weeks, which sux as I was eating really well up until that happened and I just know I'm undoing my good work.

I won't pretend to be an expert, but some of what you're talking about sounds quite a bit like your blood sugars fluctuating. What I've found most successful is a good routine. You can make all sorts of sensible dietary choices, but having the routine is what seems to give me the best results. Right now, I've dropped my routines and I'm sitting here with the nausea and lethargy thing.

I actually love talking about nutrition and health, but I think it would be wrong to offer any further advice without knowing a bit more about you. My journey has been largely focused on weight loss and improving my fitness after an accident, and I found a vibrant and supportive community at myfitnesspal. The only downside there is there are thousands of 'experts' and they all know the best way lol. But if you do a bit of reading you can work out whats best for you.

Anyway, I hope you feel a bit better soon. Nothing worse than just feeling ill all the time. Catch you around.

Cheers,

Bill.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Now,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your post.

It sounds like you're struggling a bit with your anxiety, depression and chronic pain so I'm glad that you decided to reach out. I can relate somewhat to your experiences, as I have anxiety and depression too - but rather than chronic pain I have general health issues, so I do understand what it's like to feel slow, drained and fatigued. Almost like the flu but without the other symptoms or the recovery that comes with it.

It sounds like you're after a few websites to help with advice around fitness and nutrition, so I'll do my best 🙂

nutrition

One thing that I have found helpful is looking at general switches you can make throughout your day. Like if you're having toast in the morning, switching to wholemeal bread or adding a piece of fruit can make a difference, or if you're having ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch, you can add lettuce, tomatoes or cucumber. It can also be helpful to see a dietician as they can really tailor advice to you.

https://www.healthyfoodguide.com.au/recipes

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/what's-cooking-good-looking-

https://anzmh.asn.au/2018/04/19/foods-mental-health-wellness/

exercise

With exercise, I've personally found that short and sweet has helped me too. I have to set goals that are really achievable to me, even on my bad days. Is a walk around the block easy/hard for you? Maybe there are some exercises you can do at home. If you can, choose something that's very very easy - so that you're setting yourself up for a win, and if you happen to do more than it's a bonus.

https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/chronic-pain/for-everyone/pain-and-physical-activity

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tips-for-getting-active

https://www.healthier.qld.gov.au/fitness/exercises/

I hope these are helpful to you.

[Now]

Hi Bill, thank you for your help.

[Now]

Hi thank you for the info.

[Now]

Thank you for these.

[Skary Bill]

Hi Now,

Nice to see you back. Hope life is treating you well. Don't hesitate to pop by anytime you want to chat.

Bill.