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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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
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Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond... View more

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond Blue is hosting a special free webinar for our tradie community on Tuesday 12 August at 4.30pm which you can register for here. We know that Tradies can face unique stressors, with a culture of toughness and difficult job demands that can impact personal time and self-care. It can also be tough for partners and family members who aren’t sure how to support someone in a trade who may be showing signs that their mental health isn’t at its best. If you’re unsure where to start your conversation this is the space for you. Whether you want to share your own experiences, ask questions, or simply connect with others who understand what you're going through, you're in the right place. If you're seeking additional support, here are some resources: Hope Assistance Local Tradies: Home This Is A Conversation Starter: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter Mates in Construction: MATES - Industry Based Suicide Prevention - MATES Don’t forget - our counsellors are always here for you on 1300 22 46 36. We’ll also use this space to post some of the questions and answers from the webinar discussion. Feel free to dive in and keep the conversation going. Thank you again for joining us — we’re glad you’re here.

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
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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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Paw Prints Staying/Getting/Doing Well – Moving goalposts or fixed target?
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Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when ... View more

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when they have a wide variety of experiences and lives lived is not something I thought I would ever find. Though people talk about getting well & there is a section Staying Well, I’m curious as to what this actually means to other people and how they manage their expectations. I noticed some people refer to being well as ‘being like themselves before they got ill’, whilst others don’t express an exact aim. My idea of being well has changed over the years. I was first diagnosed as an 8 year old child back in the late sixties. The doctors told Mum that the voices in my head & the sudden crying bouts were because I suffered from ‘nerves’ & I was given meds to calm me. Of course such things were not discussed back then & I was told not to talk about it to anyone, not my school friends nor siblings, just Mum. For decades after my idea of being well simply meant being able to hide my illness from others. A number of events in my life caused my illness to worsen, until some years ago I became so ill I needed to be hospitalised for my own safety. This lead to my current diagnosis of Major Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I’m no longer in that dark place, but each day is still a battle (though I can now believe in a future). For now only my siblings & one friend know about my illness, though some things they still don’t know. So, what does ‘being well’ mean to me, it is ever moving goalposts. If you had asked me 5 years ago would I be as well as I am now I would have thought it impossible as I couldn’t envision a future. If you had asked me last week (during one of my down periods) I would have said my progress was all an illusion & I was fooling myself that things can get better. For now my idea of being well is being able to believe that things can change for the better, that I will one day be able to manage the everyday things like housework, caring for myself & caring for my dog & maybe, just maybe I will even be able to enjoy myself. Paw Prints **I took the tip to give myself time to write my post by writing on a word doc & then paste it.

moody-_ahhhhh what are some long-term self-care strats?
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taking breaks and ambient noise doesn't seem to cut it anymore, i need something else because i still feel so moody even with my unproductive hobbies (videos games and youtube)

taking breaks and ambient noise doesn't seem to cut it anymore, i need something else because i still feel so moody even with my unproductive hobbies (videos games and youtube)

Karioshi Groundhog Day's
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Hello there, my name is Steven, im a male in his mid twenties & i need to speak about something thats been lingering on my mind for the past few years, I already tried explaining this to family/friends, all I get is the starry eyed response. How does... View more

Hello there, my name is Steven, im a male in his mid twenties & i need to speak about something thats been lingering on my mind for the past few years, I already tried explaining this to family/friends, all I get is the starry eyed response. How does the majority do the same thing everyday like its nothing, you gotta drag yourself out of bed every morning just to go to a place you never Intentionly wanted to just to trade your time for a piece of paper with people printed on there who i have no clue nor interest of. You have to face impatient people on the road, hot heads, traffic accidents, traffic, wannabe mad max actors, then when you get to the workplace, you're forced to work like a robot with people who you dont even get along with like putting up with unessesary stress & criticism even just by being at you job, then you get scolded by bosses who hardly praise you for doing a good job but shame you for not trying harder when you just wanna get the work done & go home with no drama's etc. Here's the kicker tho, despite how much you dont like it, you have to do it anyways, not because you want to but because thats how the system's design according to meritocracy terms, after years of evolution right up into the so called modern era, you think by now things would start to get easier for everybody, instead they just get more harder & harder with no praises but belittledness by bosses, coworkers, family, all becuase you think things could be better & not wanna be part of the rat race. Now I do recieve a side income, its not something I can live on permanently due to how crazily impulsively expensive everthing continues to be, but on the side I job hop alot, & with this privilege I came to know alot just how disturbing & shallow the workforce is today, most people have a really nasty bogus attitude, they value their ego than looking at facts, everybodys always putting up a font all the time, theres a certain amount of workplace politics that youre forced to deal with, you get treated indifferently all becuase you wanna get the job done & not engage in vauge small talk conversations, youre forced to play a rigged game that you didn't sign up for just to impress others who you dont even like, you always have to deal with the feeling of getting laid off or how am I gonna pay my rent & bills etc, if behind theirs minds are saying that they dont like this & this isnt right, then why keep on perpetuating this foolish cycle, the truth is it can be better, tho it seems everybody wants to keep things the same forever, like how is this even possible? Its no wonder people get depressed, anxious, miserable, ptsd, ocd, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, arthritis, insomnia, anhedonia, easily irratated, anger issues, then they seek help only to be put on anti depression tablets, therapy, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental institutions etc, like do not see where im coming here. Then you have destructive substances that exist like alcohol, smoking, pornorgraphy, gambling addictions, if these things did not exist just imagine how even more crazy the world would be. We are all working ourselves to death over what a pipedream that most likely will never become a reality because of how greedy & self centred this species has become, only to exist for the top 1% who are machiavellian's, narcissistic & manipulators to their own citizens who actually put their trust into because who else are they gonna trust? While growing up ive always been told to be grateful being given life, its easy enough to say so, but what is there to be really grateful for, a life where im forced to participate in foolish schemes, to give my time that i wont get back to corporations who see me as a number & a tool, to realise everything i gained start to fade away as time goes on, to be part of a mediocre society thats passive aggressive, suppressive & pretentious, seriously if i knew things were gonna be like this before stepping foot into this realm with a choice then I'd choose not to be here, sure life gives but mostly takes, you age, you start loosing loved ones, you become obsolete from your job, it doesnt care about you, which is why its very hard to find a real good reason to bring someone here just so they can go thru the same things that youre going thru, sure misery loves company but also happiness doesnt loves misery, its a vicious cycle. Anyways thats all I have for now, thanks for reading.

amd1953 Undiagnosed Dilemma
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After completing a few surveys online over the past week and doing my own research on certain mental health issues, I managed to tick all of the boxes that point to ADHD. This doesn't really surprise me at all because I have had my suspicions since c... View more

After completing a few surveys online over the past week and doing my own research on certain mental health issues, I managed to tick all of the boxes that point to ADHD. This doesn't really surprise me at all because I have had my suspicions since childhood. Those charming little eccentricities that were regarded as cute or novel have now come home to roost. The interesting thing about all of this is that it explains everything in one fell swoop. The general consensus is to consult with a qualified professional beginning with your GP. At the age of 72, I don't think making a big fuss about it is going to change anything. What is the point? I have lived with it for seven decades and it seems farcical for one more person to burden the health care system. I refuse to take any more medication. However, simply knowing about it is similar to completing one of those pictureless jigsaw puzzles. It's just nice to know.amd1953

Mrefu Restless legs syndrome
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I have suffered from restless legs syndrome for about 15 years and was taking medication daily which worked most of the time. About 4 months ago I changed to a whole food plant based diet (no oil, no sugar, no animal products) because I had some card... View more

I have suffered from restless legs syndrome for about 15 years and was taking medication daily which worked most of the time. About 4 months ago I changed to a whole food plant based diet (no oil, no sugar, no animal products) because I had some cardiovascular issues. The results have been much better than I expected. A side effect of my new diet has been the disappearance of my restless legs syndrome problem!

Clues_Of_Blue Hey look, a birdie! (How to function with ADHD.)
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As someone only recently diagnosed with ADHD, I'm still getting my head around what aspects of this crazy critter are thanks to that, and what I can do about it. It was always apparent to me that I was incredibly forgetful compared to others around m... View more

As someone only recently diagnosed with ADHD, I'm still getting my head around what aspects of this crazy critter are thanks to that, and what I can do about it. It was always apparent to me that I was incredibly forgetful compared to others around me, and I've driven many a manager nuts with my tendency to bounce between tasks constantly (mostly they just ran with it because I'm actually pretty competent if left to my own processes and - very importantly - deadlines to work to), so I have a few strategies for working around it after 40-odd years. That said, I'd love to hear from others with ADHD about how you've managed the condition and how you wade through the daily drudgery. Of course I'm equally happy to share any tricks I've worked out for myself. Blue.

-Noah- Young Adult seeking some advice…
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Hello to the kind people stopping to read this, While I half expect this to be drowned out in the buzz of this forum— which is totally fine since there are people with greater issues than me— I do need some advice. About a year ago, I started using A... View more

Hello to the kind people stopping to read this, While I half expect this to be drowned out in the buzz of this forum— which is totally fine since there are people with greater issues than me— I do need some advice. About a year ago, I started using AI chatbots (Character ai, things like that), largely because it seemed interesting and as a creative the ability to make an interactive story appealed to me. However I found myself using it to fill emotional holes…romantic things ect. I’ve never dated anyone and I guess as those around me begin to it makes the loneliness a bit more prevalent. I was also using it to cope with things going on at home, as well as my own school burn out. I realised a few weeks ago that I was in too deep and deleted everything altogether. Full cold turkey. Now realising just how much I relied on it in some emotional/comfort sense. ANYWAYS— what I’m asking is/what I want advice on is if anyone has had a similar experience, or just a dependency on something for comfort or emotional support and such…how do you cope without it? What to reach for instead? Because I know I can’t go back to it, as It’s not very healthy. Literally any advice would be appreciated.

white knight The balance of good mental health
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Every topic in the world is a see-saw. One side negative the other positive and a playground full of see-saws is the playground of life. So whatever your mental illness from basically low self esteem or anxiety to several illnesses that cant be sorte... View more

Every topic in the world is a see-saw. One side negative the other positive and a playground full of see-saws is the playground of life. So whatever your mental illness from basically low self esteem or anxiety to several illnesses that cant be sorted out there can be in most cases, a positive to draw from them. Problems escalate when you dont search for positives as maybe you dont think they are there or you dont know how to find them. But a balance is needed everywhere - even empathy as too much empathy can lead to other issue- surprisingly. I'd suggest most people with empathy are those that can walk in anothers shoes, feel what they endure and therefore be able to comfort them. Any wonder peer advisors like the community champions here can relate to you and pass on suggestions to give you some comfort. But, admittedly you have to have the capacity to convey such communication and you also have to manage your illnesses enough to provide that capacity. In an article from Science Direct - google "The Dark Side of Empathy: The Role of Excessive Affective Empathy in Mental Health DisordersQuote- "Empathy, which is typically regarded as a positive attribute, is now being critically evaluated for its potential negative implications for mental health. A growing body of research indicates that excessive empathy, particularly a high level of affective empathy, can lead to overwhelming emotional states, thereby increasing susceptibility to psychological distress and psychiatric disorders."And "...empathy for the pain of others can lead to empathic distress, which may manifest as pain." And "As previously noted, empathic distress can lead to a range of internalizing states. When these internalizing feelings intensify and persist, they may lead to depression (31,42). Depression is characterized by low mood, sadness, lack of energy, insomnia, and inability to enjoy life (79). Extensive studies have reported the association between empathic tendencies and depressive symptoms (29,77,80,81). Both cognitive and affective empathy have been linked to depressive symptoms " And "Empathic distress can lead to heightened emotional arousal, which, if not regulated, can escalate into anxiety. " And "Burnout is another significant adverse outcome that may result from excessive empathy." So this is why balance is essential in your approach to mental health- too much of a good thing is not so good! Balance is the key. TonyWK

xDJOHx Spike protein detox.
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OK, since Covid vaccinations my health has gone down. Kinda worried about a blood clot or a heart attack or something. Never ending amount of flegm in my nose/throat, heart beat seems higher. I was told that this is common for people since being vacc... View more

OK, since Covid vaccinations my health has gone down. Kinda worried about a blood clot or a heart attack or something. Never ending amount of flegm in my nose/throat, heart beat seems higher. I was told that this is common for people since being vaccinated and to do a spike protein detox. Which is why I'm here.So, apparently:Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower) – these are rich in sulfur, which is needed for glutathione synthesis.Garlic and onions.Spinach, berries and avocados.Asparagus.Turmeric.Key Nutrients for Glutathione ProductionN-acetylcysteine (NAC).Glycine and glutamine.Selenium.Vitamin C and E.B Vitamins (especially B6, B12, and folate).Magnesium and zinc.Not gonna/can't copy/paste the whole document/page.The covid Vax's seem to have had an effect on my health and spike protein detox sounds applicable imo. Just wanted to check in with you guys to verify/clarify and get any opinions or suggestions on this, as it seems to be pretty common among some people I've talked to. Thanks in advance

Ggrand Small achievement you managed to do today....How did it make you feel? Did it help you feel better today?
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Hi everyone.. Their are days when just getting out of bed is a huge achievement...Other days we can achieve things like washing up the dishes or clothes, sweeping the floors, mopping the floors..very mundane and automatic robot like chores for the me... View more

Hi everyone.. Their are days when just getting out of bed is a huge achievement...Other days we can achieve things like washing up the dishes or clothes, sweeping the floors, mopping the floors..very mundane and automatic robot like chores for the mentally well...They do these chores without even thinking about them...for people struggling with their mental health..these are huge tasks... Very often I’ll get my vacuum cleaner out to vacuum ...then it will sit their for days, me looking at it, walking over it...until I can get motivated enough to vacuum..after I do find the motivation to vacuum...I am pleased with myself... Right now I have a small foot cycling peddle machine, sitting on my front veranda..I got it out last week..to start exercising..it’s still their, I’m still looking at it...My thoughts each night is I’ll use it for a few minutes tomorrow.. My car hasn’t been washed getting close to a year now I think...Today I did managed to wash it....and discovered that it has a nice shine on it.....I did it...I achieved something positive today..which made me feel better in myself... Have you achieved a little something today...and how did it make you feel...If you want to share that achievement it might make other people a bit more motivated to achieve something they need/want to do.. Looking forward to hearing about your achievement....and how it made you feel.. Little steps and achievements can lead to bigger steps..and bigger achievements... My kindest and most caring thoughts...everyone. Grandy...