Category: mental health

Posted in Health, lifestyle, mental health, Personal, self care

Self care is the best care

Posted on by Holly

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.
Posted in creativity, lifestyle, memories, mental health, Personal, Positive thinking, reflection, words of wisdom

We’re half way there

Posted on by Holly

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

Posted in lifestyle, mental health, Personal, words of wisdom

My Anxiety Tips

Posted on by Holly

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

Posted in Chronic illness, Health, lifestyle, mental health, Personal, Positivity

Prepping for my operation

Posted on by Holly

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.

Posted in lifestyle, mental health, Personal, Positive thinking, words of wisdom, writing

Don’t ever suffer in silence like i did

Posted on by Holly

Throughout my life, if I am being honest I have suffered quite a bit other than my health over the 33 years of my life.

Here are a few I’ll mention:

  • Bullied severely at school – police were involved come the end
  • Taken advantage of whilst drunk -shame on them
  • Sexually abused – Don’t worry I’m fine, there will always be wrong’uns
  • Had depressive moments – needed medication and outpatient therapy –

I will forever remember these times it’s not easy to just forget those times in my life but it won’t ever define who I am or let it ruin my life. It happened and I can’t change what happened in the past.

I can however help those people who are struggling themselves. It’s the caring side of me. I wished I had more people about in my times of need. I had a few but not that one person who I could tell everything to.

HAVE A LISTEN TO ME

Please remember that there are people out there who can help you whether they are just an ear to listen, someone in a profession that can help you in the right direction or a friend/family member.

Believe it or not, they’ve probably encountered one of your problems and can aid you back to smiley happier you.

If you ever need someone to chat to online feel free to inbox me on the below social media pages

MY INSTAGRAM
MY TWITTER

Thanks for stopping by

Til next time

Posted in Health, mental health, Personal, Positive thinking

Just breathe…Don’t panic

Posted on by Holly

Over the last few days i have needed to try something a little different to unwind.

My health has been rather pants of late. My body paralysis has been a bit all over the place and my bladder is being evicted in a few months…you know back in the health update saying we were trying to dodge a big op…well it’s got rather desperate and am in need of a urostomy – a pee bag. So anxiety has been a bit erratic as you can imagine.

So i have changed the way i try to relax. Using a few apps on my phone

INSIGHT TIMER

It gives you guided meditation for all sorts of different aspects of life and i really like the timer part of it. You set the time and the sound you find soothing and away you go.

DAYLIO

If you want to keep a track of your moods and activities to look back on then the daylio app is great. As you can see you can edit your moods as i have and also the activities are editable too – still need to do mine. You can also add a little bit about your day too, like a diary. I like it so far.

Don’t be afraid to change bits of your routine to help you along the way.

Thanks for stopping by

Til next time

Posted in lifestyle, mental health, Personal, Positivity

Beat the January blues

Posted on by Holly

I’m speaking from past experiences but doesn’t January just put you out of sorts. Literally at the stroke of midnight New Year’s Eve and bam 💥 you’re in another month…another year nonetheless and I know some people just hate change. It’s like you are expected to put on a happy face and celebrate…

Don’t be ashamed, it’s ok to feel underwhelmed.

Here are 10 things to do to help you feel a little more happier if only a little bit

  • Write down 5 things that immediately bring a smile to your face
  • Eat your favourite meal – whether you cook it or order it in
  • Look through photos that hold great memories
  • Give yourself a little pampering – you’re worth it
  • Give your bedroom/living space a makeover
  • Phone a friend and just chat – it’s good to talk
  • Make yourself a playlist of music that gets your heart singing as well as you
  • Order yourself a few items of clothing, It’s surprising how much of a difference it can make to your mood
  • Get writing. Whatever is on your mind write it down, it’s s great form of self reflection and therapy.
  • Plan a day/evening out with a friend or family member. It’ll do you good to let your hair down.

Look at January like this it’s half way through the month  now. You’ve made it this far. So take it day by day and appreciate the littlest things that do make you grin.

Always feel free to DM me on my twitter or instagram page below

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Til next time my sweet ones