Immediate support
Immediate support

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.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 711

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

ecomama Three self-care things you did today!
  • replies: 1600

We can do it BBers, we can do self-care. Sleepy21 pointed out research that shows self-care REALLY helps! Please share what you do for self-care so we can get inspiration, ideas and motivation to do it too. Best wishes EM

We can do it BBers, we can do self-care. Sleepy21 pointed out research that shows self-care REALLY helps! Please share what you do for self-care so we can get inspiration, ideas and motivation to do it too. Best wishes EM

Guest_1055 Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise
  • replies: 4201

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......

monkey_magic JUICING for mental health
  • replies: 128

Hi all I've recently bought a juicer and have been making fruit/veg juices and have noticed it making a difference to my mental health. I'm clearer, more energized and I just know I'm giving my body many health benefits by drinking pure extracted fru... View more

Hi all I've recently bought a juicer and have been making fruit/veg juices and have noticed it making a difference to my mental health. I'm clearer, more energized and I just know I'm giving my body many health benefits by drinking pure extracted fruits and vegetables. I thought I'd start this thread for us juicers or wannabe juicers to share juicing recipes. It's become my new "thing". 🥬🥦

Jane363 Best word to describe today
  • replies: 842

Warmth the sunlight is warm on my back; people here are very warm, accepting and welcoming - far more so than many of my own friends and family - thank you so much, it has helped more than you will realise and has helped lead me to... and finally, my... View more

Warmth the sunlight is warm on my back; people here are very warm, accepting and welcoming - far more so than many of my own friends and family - thank you so much, it has helped more than you will realise and has helped lead me to... and finally, my self-attitude is warm and forgiving which is a huge change from the self hatred I have been pushing onto myself so much recently.

-FromtheGong- Navigating the D & inability to make decisions
  • replies: 3

I’m a 53 year old man with younger kids (& adult kids) who has been battling depression for 30 years, or so.I am mostly well for decent periods, with medications & lifestyle choices helping. Unfortunately, I have been in a pretty deep & long episode ... View more

I’m a 53 year old man with younger kids (& adult kids) who has been battling depression for 30 years, or so.I am mostly well for decent periods, with medications & lifestyle choices helping. Unfortunately, I have been in a pretty deep & long episode of depression for 10 months. Initially I battled on, but eventually needed to take some time off work to recover. I took 6 weeks off, then changed jobs about 7 months ago.During my time off I ate healthy, exercised often, spent quality time with my family & began to feel a lift in mood. Unfortunately it didn’t last & I have been grinding away at life for the past few months. My job is unfulfilling with too much time to ruminate which doesn’t help my mood. ‘Or’ is my mood making the job unfulfilling? I know that taking time off again will help. To do all the things that helped last time, particularly having time to work on my physical health, which positively affects my mental health. Money, or lack thereof would be an issue needing to tighten our belts with the drop in income. I also feel that working part time & being the main carer for the kids would be helpful. Sounds like I have a plan yeah? Problem is I can’t make a decision in my current head space. Balancing what will work & what I want to do with what I feel is expected of me, or what men in my situation should do is paralysing. I’ve been agonising for the past few weeks but can’t make a decision. Has anyone experienced this? Made a decision or not? How did it go? Any responses would be appreciated.

Eagle Ray If you are a quiet person, how do you manage?
  • replies: 11

I have always been on the quiet and shy side. I know a lot of this has to do with complex trauma from the circumstances I grew up in. As I am currently working towards re-entering the workforce I'm trying to build my confidence. There is a job I woul... View more

I have always been on the quiet and shy side. I know a lot of this has to do with complex trauma from the circumstances I grew up in. As I am currently working towards re-entering the workforce I'm trying to build my confidence. There is a job I would love to apply for but it really requires a lot of extraversion, so although it greatly appeals to me in theory, in reality it would probably be very awkward for me trying to perform in that role. I'm interested how others with quiet natures navigate the world? What strategies help you, especially given that much of the world we live in is about promoting yourself and pushing yourself forward? I'm not competitive by nature and always enjoy being co-operative and caring over thinking competitively. I once heard someone describe himself as a social introvert. I could really relate to that because I love people yet I am basically shy and I need a fair bit of time on my own just to process and manage life. I find a lot of contact with others overstimulating, and yet I need and greatly value social contact as well. I am getting increasingly better at nurturing my inner child and that is really helping. However, I sometimes still feel very small and vulnerable in the world. While I am getting better at speaking up for myself and being assertive, I can still lose my voice at times and basically psychically curl up in a protective ball (safety mechanism learned in childhood). Do others feel this way? Can you identify things that have helped you?

jonjr Finding a state of self
  • replies: 3

Hi guys and ladies ... been a while. Im in a ok place right now. My journey is never easy and can snap at what seems like a blink. I cope with help from a fantastic team of understanding and at times over and above team of professionals. Im not going... View more

Hi guys and ladies ... been a while. Im in a ok place right now. My journey is never easy and can snap at what seems like a blink. I cope with help from a fantastic team of understanding and at times over and above team of professionals. Im not going through my illnesses again ( note the illnesses qoute ). My life can be fantastic but i accept it can allso be a complete nightmare. Recently i have managed to get off some of the prescription drugs ..... fantastic ..... the reality is that yes people like me need them but living on them has its own pitfalls. Of all i found some of the anxiety / depression pills the most difficult to kick. Will i ever be drug free.......? Doubtful...... are my team happy i stopped a few pills........ hmmmmmm doubtful. But after 25 years of increasing illness i know my own body and self worth and that can say more than any professional can prescribe. Dont get me wrong i wouldnt be here if it wasnt for those people and myself and my kids thank them from the bottom of our hearts..... so much i am dating one of my helpers.....My life will never be easy i know that, but right now its my choice to decide what my brain says. Its not easy to kick prescription drugs of any kind and if you need them dont ( from experience) but they are and make no mistake very powerful and damaging long term. I wish you all the best in your journey and please listen to your own needs when they shout out.

Guest_1055 Do you forgive?
  • replies: 70

Feeling hesitant about writing this and little scared of what people will think about me, a fear of being rejected I think. Well here goes. Just today I have been thinking about forgiveness, forgiving the people who hurt us, let us down, or bring us ... View more

Feeling hesitant about writing this and little scared of what people will think about me, a fear of being rejected I think. Well here goes. Just today I have been thinking about forgiveness, forgiving the people who hurt us, let us down, or bring us pain in any other way. And I think forgiving actually helps us. So what I aim to do, as a strategy to get rid of bitterness from within me is to: 1. Grap an apple or a potato from the kitchen. 2. I am off to see what I have got, yeah I have an apple that is going soft. 3. Write on the apple or whatever you have chosen " I forgive you" and draw a smiley face, that is what I did, and it is looking right back at me now. 4. Think of that person that has hurt you, and say I forgive you....... for hurting me. 5. And then I will go to the ocean, because I live near there. Walk down to the waves, and use all my physical strength and throw the apple as far as a can. "Just let in go" Note: If anyone tries this strategy from beyond blue, and I come across an apple on the beach. I will toss it back in for you. Not sure of the outcome of this strategy yet, but I will keep you posted if you would like. Also if you are not near an ocean, maybe you could choose a paddock. OK going to post this now, still scared of what people will think of me."Rejection"

Names_Bo Too nurse for religion, too religious for nursing
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am an emergency nurse and a Christian. My religious friends don't seem to understand the struggles and experiences of being an ED nurse, yet none of my colleagues seem to be religious. Does anyone have any advice on how to connect or belong to ... View more

Hi, I am an emergency nurse and a Christian. My religious friends don't seem to understand the struggles and experiences of being an ED nurse, yet none of my colleagues seem to be religious. Does anyone have any advice on how to connect or belong to either/both groups? I like my job, but I am struggling a lot emotionally lately with being able to connect and feel useful for either group.

Croix Store Your Happy Memories Here:
  • replies: 920

Dear All~ What this place is for: This thread is a tool, a resource, and also I guess a dash of entertainment. I’ve found that when life is grim that sometimes thoughts of past happiness can create a chink of light in the grey overwhelming press of d... View more

Dear All~ What this place is for: This thread is a tool, a resource, and also I guess a dash of entertainment. I’ve found that when life is grim that sometimes thoughts of past happiness can create a chink of light in the grey overwhelming press of down. They can help occupy the mind with lighter reflections. With that in view I invite people to set down a brief passage describing some happy event they look back to with fondness and peace. They - and others too - can then return to it when they feel the need to glean a little warmth. It is not a place for gloomy or dire tales, those can go elsewhere. What to do: Just set out, as simply as you like, your recollection of some past experience that means something good to you, something you enjoyed, something from safe times. It can be, like my story below, anything – from an account of visiting grandparents to simply cooking and eating a melted-cheese sandwich in a favorite kitchen – you get to choose. How to do it: Write. Write enough so someone else can feel the mood, know what happened, find the goodness. (stop at 2,500 characters please!) Grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation are not compulsory, just write as you can – the only important thing is the content - not literary merit. Short or long - it does not matter. I hope you enjoy, contribute and find a little distraction here when you need it. Croix