Mental Health Mondays – Managing My Anxiety

Hi Guys this week I will be letting you know all the ways I manage my anxiety and hopefully it will help you with yours. 

The most important thing to know is there is no quick fix for your Anxiety as I described in my first post of the series anxiety is a normal human emotion which if you have an anxiety disorder is intensified to irrational thoughts.  Improving your anxiety will take time and energy but it will be worth it.

• The first and most important thing to do is reach out to someone make sure its someone your comfortable talking to tell them how you feel. Its scary talking about your emotions it took me years to finally reach out to someone and tell them how I was feeling but once people know how you are struggling they can start to support you.
• Then the next step would be talking to your doctor or a therapist if you want to get help privately. Whilst medical professionals get a bad reputation in regards to mental health they have actually had training on the issues you are facing and can help you plan a course of action. Be that counselling, medication or other forms of help.
• I personally have done CBT, counselling and I am now on a medication to control my panic attacks.

In regards to self-help at home

• I try regularly to practice mindfulness there are many books on this but the best online free resource is http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/ it teaches you to just be in the moment instead of running through crazy thoughts which I find super helpful especially if your thoughts keep you up at night but be patient with yourself though as like most meditations it takes practice.
• And honestly my most favourite thing to do is self-care look after yourself and whatever that means to if your stuck for ideas or want to know more about the importance of self-care check out The Blurt Foundation who have created a whole movement out of taking care of yourself.

I hope this post helped you out and if there’s anything you would like me to post about just let me know in the comments below!

Step into Christmas

It’s the 2nd of December which means the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. advent Calendars have been opened and Christmas decorations are going up!

I know this time of year can be difficult I am definitely struggling to get into the Christmas spirit I so dearly love. It has always been my favourite time of year so when the depression hits hard it really hurts.

I always wait for the Christmas magic to kick in but unfortunately it doesn’t cure depression but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the Christmas season and I always try to make the most of it. 

So if your feeling down this holiday season comment below or over on one of my Instagram posts I would love to chat with you. Also remember that this is the time of year we spend with the people who love us most so they will want to help you so just reach out.

Also check out my mental health Monday posts next week I will be letting you guys know ways I manage my Anxiety. 

Mental Health Mondays – Having an Anixety Disorder

Hi Guys,

I have decided to start a new series of blog posts called Mental Health Mondays this week I will be explaining what an Anxiety Disorder is as it is something I have suffered from for a long time and I believe educating people is a  way forward to break down the stigmas associated with mental health issues.

Merriam-Webster’s Definition of anxiety is fear or nervousness about what might happen.

Something everyone will feel at some moment of there lives.

The NHS describe Generalised Anxiety disorder as a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event. 

People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.

As you can imagine there is a huge difference between anxiety the emotion and an anxiety disorder.

I can suffer from panic attack which result in me feeling as though I am about to have a heart attack or anxiety attacks where I feel anxious for seemly no reason so all my sense are on hyper alert mode and I walk around almost in a daze unable to focus as I am noticing everything around me.

On the good days I will just be worried which can be easily distracted by happy things going on around me but everyday is difficult none the less. I feel mental health issues have been romanticised these days they have almost become mainstream and whilst I think it is amazing the attention mental health is getting and that people who are suffering are getting help I would not wish this on my greatest enemy.

Do you suffer from Anxiety? Let me know in the comments below also if there’s any other topics you would like me to cover.

Next Monday I will be writing about how my Anxiety can cause depression so check back in for that.

Have a Lovely Week!`

 

Sarah’s Christmas Survival Guide

As anyone with a mental health issue knows the most magical time of year can be quite a let down. Turns out Santa’s magic doesn’t quite fix everything. So here are some of my tips to make the holiday season just a little bit easier to deal with.

1. Start your shopping ASAP Christmas shopping is stressful for anyone so don’t let it add to your bad mood I have already started mine so less stress shopping in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
2. Make time to relax the holiday season is filled with events and parties, preparation and festive cheer. Take some time out for you light a candle, make a hot chocolate and put your feet up.
3. Watch a Christmas movie the best part of Christmas is the feel good movies that put a smile on your face my personal favourite is Arthur Christmas.
4. Craft nothing can lift your spirit quite like making something for a loved one so whether you bake or make a card get busy making something special for someone you love.
5. Ignore Christmas if you have to sometimes its OK to take 5. The whole month of December can make you feel like you should be dancing on air with festive cheer so if it all gets too much just ignore it until you feel you can bear it again.

Do you have any Tips for surviving the holiday season? let me know in the comments below!

My Top Self Care Ideas

So we all have those days where we just feel awful. We don’t want to do anything or see anyone and sometimes we really just hate ourselves. So I thought I’d share with you some of the things I do on these days to perk myself up.

1. Makeup and hair – sounds so simple but when I’m having a bad day the simple act of putting my face on even if I don’t have to leave the house makes me feel less sluggish and gives me a bit of self confidence. It also means you can take some awesome selfies for Instagram!
2. Build a blanket fort I got this idea from Octobers buddy box and whilst so simple is genius so get some duvets and cushions make a fort and hide in it.
3. Binge  watch TV in bed all day – sometimes it is OK to give in to these feelings just don’t make a habit of it.
4. Have a bath
5. Talk to a friend or family member
6. Light a candle and just chill – we all have those moments sometime even days when that awful feeling makes us not want to do anything so just light a candle or put on some music and just lie there.
7. Make a to do list for when you are feeling better – when I am having a bad day my mind fills up with all the things I should have been doing so writing them all down so I don’T forget helps to clear my head and just focus on me for  a while.
8. Practice mindfulness – Frantic World have the best free meditations in my opinion and even have a chocolate one if your in a more fun loving mood.

Do you have any top self care ideas? Let me know in the comments below!

November’s Buddy Box – Review

Buddy Boxes are the King of self care every month when the postman rings my doorbell I am completely excited and as usual they keep getting better each month.

This months theme was Woodland Walks and oh my days I am so happy.

First off the thing that made me squeal with glee a Yankee Candle! Which as they all do smells amazing!

Autumn Nights 🙂

My new favourite staple of Buddy Boxes the Zine

I cannot wait to go on a mindful Walk.

Hot chocolate what more can I say…

And the three woodland walk themed treats:#

Deer Hand warmer so cute

Bear Hugs Keyring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedgehog cut out and sew

And last but not least there inspirational quote which I love this month!

If you have never had the treat of a Buddy box or want to learn more click here

And check out my Instagram to see me using these cute treats here.

What was your favourite item out of Novembers buddy box?

 

Decluttering and eating clean

Hey,

So this last couple of weeks have been quite good for me, my medication has finally started to kick in and I have managed to declutter my whole bedroom which is making me really happy. Having a lot of clutter around can make you more stressful and getting rid of it has really helped if only in a small way to calm my nerves so I would really recommend it.

I have also got into a bit healthier more cleaner eating. I’ve been having smoothies for breakfast and eating more whole grain food and a lot less junk food during the day. This has really helped with my energy levels and I have felt a lot less bloated lately which is amazing!!

My clearer head has also got me thinking about some post ideas and I was thinking of doing some about how I cope on the bad days, self-care ideas, a simple makeup routine for when you have to leave the house even though you don’t want to and also what I eat in a day.

If you have anymore suggestions or any topics you would like to discuss let me know in the comments!

Also follow me on Instagram my username is s_durrant to see me or more likely the food I’m currently eating on a day-to-day basis.