Category Archives: mental health

Mental health awareness

Since its Mental health awareness day today I thought I’d share a few quotes which I think could be quite helpful or relatable.

Never be afraid to let your guard down, take off that brave face and open up and talk. Never suffer alone.

Things insensitive people say on the outside that really doesn’t help you or your mental health. Concentrate on the inside and those who want to understand the issues you’re facing.

Please know that you can’t simply be strong everyday, it’s just impossible. Even the strongest have bad days.

Go on the day the best you can and seek nobody else’s approval.

Please remember to take care of number one… Which is you ♥️

FEATURE FRIDAY WEEK 3

This is a mental health special of feature Friday. Read below these wonderful girls stories and why they love blogging

Helen from Helen loves

I hope the blog is a cosy, positive space, promoting wellbeing and self-reflection. I spent years letting anxiety and a lack of self-confidence get in the way of achieving my goals. Now, I’m all about finding tips and tricks to declutter your mind, create positive routines and boost confidence, so you can live the life you love.

HELENS BLOG helenloves.co.uk.

INSTAGRAM : www.instagram.com/_helenloves

TWITTER www.twitter.com/_helenloves

Nyxie from Nyxies Nook

I’m a mental health blogger who focuses on eating disorder recovery, depression, anxiety and general wellness of the self. The blog was started in March 2019 in a bid to raise awareness for mental illness such as Anorexia Nervosa and Anxiety, two such disorders I suffer from. However, what started out as a hobby, quickly turned into something much, much more!

Nyxie’s Nook has become a place to talk about all mental health issues and the struggles that come along with recovery. I cover a variety of subjects ranging from general wellness right up to more specific recovery-related content. I not only aim to cater to those in recovery but to people in all walks of life.

THE BLOG www.nyxiesnook.com

Twitter – twitter.com/nxyiesnook

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nyxiesnook

INSTAGRAM :www.instagram.com/nyxtrix

PINTEREST www.pinterest.co.uk/nyxiesnook

Leo from The anxious teach two

My blog is all about my very honest journey of battling my Mental Health diagnosis of anxiety and depression. I talk openly about the ups and downs of MH. I now work as a MH advocate as well as working full time as a teacher.

BLOG theanxiousteachtwo.home.blog

INSTAGRAM Instagram.com/leoooooallen

TWITTER: Twitter.com/theanxiousteac2

Watch out for who I have next Friday

Self care is the best care

Self care is not just all about putting on a face mask and pampering yourself, but my goodness doesn’t that sound like a great idea.

Self care is about taking care of you as a whole and making sure you are being kind to every part of you inside and out.

I’ve come up with a list of things to do on days when you need that extra more care and attention…mind, body and soul.

So here goes

  • Unplug your phone/ put it on do not disturb for an hour or two just let your mind just be
  • put on some relaxing music whether it’s acoustic or panpipes or just instrumental just enjoy the sounds.
  • Do a brain dump – grab a notebook and just unload what’s in your head onto one page it’ll help clear your head.
  • write poetry/ song. You will find it so therapeutic.
  • light some scented candles or diffuse essential oils. Get your area smelling serene.
  • Find an app to destress you I think insight app is great. A must try.
  • self massage, the bits you can get to just add moisture to it with either baby oil or a body lotion. Make your body feel loved.
  • Practise positive affirmations whether you say them out loud on in your head it will keep you in a positive mindset.
  • Do some yoga or some form of stretching, you’ll find that this will get rid of any tension built up inside.
  • Take a nap if needs be, it’s will renew your energy and get you in the mood to take on anything the day has in store for you
  • Make yourself a self care box of all things you love and that make you smile. If it fits put it in there.
  • Just enjoy your own company doing what ever your heart desires whether it’s watching a movie, eating your favourite food or singing along to your favourite songs.

We’re half way there

So it’s nearly the end of June, the 6th month of the year, half way through the year of 2019 and I think it’s great to look back and write down what things have occurred and how it’s changed you/ your life

So grab a pen and paper and write down the questions I’m going to answer, you’ll be pleasantly surprised

🌞 NAME THREE CHANGES YOU’VE ACTIVELY MADE ?

– I have cared less about people who don’t give two hoots about me

– I have gone through my big surgery to try better my health

– I have started looking into spiritual things and being more chilled than stressed

🌞 WHATS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE HEARD?

Don’t give up on what you love, on yourself and on those you love ( would I?… NEVER )

I guess on those days when you think why do I bother doing this, nobody cares, yes they do and the one person that it should really matter who cares is you,so stop doubting yourself .

🌞 ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS YEAR SO FAR?

I’d have to say TRYING. Our family as a whole have been through the mill over the past 6 months so at this point in time I think that’s my word.

🌞 BEST MOVIE YOU’VE WATCHED THIS YEAR?

Without a doubt it has to be Bohemian Rhapsody, I adore Freddie Mercury and all he was. His music, his carefree attitude and all round from the film you can see he’d been through things we never knew. A true legend that will live on in many peoples hearts

🌞 FAVOURITE SONG?

Singrid – Don’t feel like crying

This year this song has appeared on the radio when I felt a bit tearful and it was almost like a sign to say cheer up, you don’t really feel like crying.

🌞 ONE GOAL YOU ARE STILL STRIVING FOR?

I want to make a difference to people who like myself suffer from anxiety so whether it’s a book or some project or I may even get creative and make some relievers ( they definitely help me ) so if I could make some for others that’ll be great.

I find a bit of reflection is therapeutic if you just let yourself go and just write ✍🏻

Thanks for stopping by

Til next time

My Anxiety Tips

If you aren’t a regular reader here you won’t know my anxiety history. I’ll leave my story of how it started here incase you want to have a nosey.

Let’s just say I’ve had it for going on 2 decades and I’ve picked up some helpful coping strategies.

❤️ When you feel an anxiety attack coming on, try and get out into the fresh air and sit down if possible. I get hot and lightheaded in an attack so fresh air and somewhere to perch my bum is much needed.

❤️ The main thing is to concentrate on your breathing to try bring it back to normal. So breath in for 4, hold for 7 and let out for 8. I thought oh my goodness I can’t breath in for that long. But it really does work.

♥️ I have always found music to be the perfect distraction when I’m anxious. In particular I like soft music like acoustic or love songs. Songs that have great lyrics you can focus on. I also love listening to a crackling fire on the relaxing sounds app. Alternatively if you want loud music to try drown out the anxious thoughts that helps too in my opinion.

♥️ You’ve all heard of the grounding tip of things you can see etc using all your senses. Well I’ve come up with this one.

In your bag have something that has a scent that makes you happy like your fave perfume or cologne. I do love lavender too so some essential oils are really handy too.

Have your happy photos on your phone in a folder easily accessible so you can look at them to bring your emotions back to not being stressed out.

Your phone will come for the next two senses which is listen – so it could be the music I mentioned, or some affirmations that you can pre record to remind yourself that everything is going to be ok.

Your mouth without a doubt will be dry in an anxiety attack so popping your favourite sweet in will definitely calm you down, tried and tested by me.

Last sense is touch. There are so many stress relievers out there on ebay/ wish / amazon. Having that at hand in your bag will come in so handy if that’s all you can manage to get during your attack.

♥️ Reach out and ask for help or just message/call someone you trust and say help me take my mind off things, distract me, make me laugh. Pretty sure you have one person you can turn to.

I really could go on and on and on but I think I’ll leave it there.

I’m always here for any of you if you feel the need to chat.

Hope this has been of some help.

Til next time

Prepping for my operation

I say I am not scared but deep down I’m bricking it.

So on Friday I had to go to hospital to get ‘marked up ‘ which means they get a permanent marker and draw on where they think my stoma will go to and how high I wear my trousers so this is what my tummy looks like at the mo.

On Saturday I had to have my last substantial meal but also 3 of these build up drinks called fortisips. Luckily I like the 2 flavours they gave me – Apricot and vanilla. I must say it was hard drinking them as they are like a milkshake but fill you up a lot more.

I tried to distract myself from thinking too much about it and watched a bit of eye candy on the TV – Micky Flanagan. I know he’s not your typical hunk but there’s just something about him 😍

Today’s Sunday and I’ve got to seriously get sorted because tomorrow is the day.

I have to make sure all is packed in my bag the essentials and mum said she can bring things up at a later date when I’m feeling a bit more human. I have to stop eating properly at 2pm and can have jelly and ice cream til midnight if I am hungry. The dreaded drinks I have another 6 to drink today and then 2 Monday in the morning before surgery.

I’m going to enjoy a nice soak in the shower as I dunno when I’ll be able to have my next one. I bought Bohemian Rhapsody on DVD so that’ll be tonight’s viewing before I attempt to get a bit of shut eye before my 5am wake up call.

I’ve got some scheduled blog posts for 2 weeks so I hope you’ll enjoy them.