Having one of 'THOSE' days

Back to the topic of Depression....

I woke up Monday morning feeling exhausted, numb and just plain depressed. I got up and did the usual things, the same as yesterday in the hope that my mood might improve as the weather gets better. But alas, Today I woke up in the same mood.

Could it be the exhausting weekend we had driving, the amount of money I have to spend on bills and presents and petrol just to get through Christmas. The new job and the erratic and non reliable hours or the personal problems that keep consuming me.

Whatever it is, I have a happy little 4 year old waiting for me to get my act together.

I'm heading out today for Coffee with friends, This will help. Change of routine and getting out of the house is always a pick me up.

How do you lift your mood when your having a bad day? Any tips?

Thank for reading,
Christina

Postnatal Depression in words

                                         Join the conversation #bePNDaware

Yesterday on our Facebook page I asked our followers to describe their Postnatal Depression in 5 words. The response was, in my opinion, powerful.

Depression and mental health can be impossible to explain to someone who has never been through it. Maybe just by using some powerful words, we can show others the overwhelming feelings associated with Depression.

What words stand out to you the most? Can you add any other words?

This week is Postnatal Depression awareness week. Let's band together and get the word out there. We might just help others to reach out for help.
Join the conversation #bePNDaware

Thank you for reading,
Christina

 

Develop a wellness toolbox

I have signed up for an online 'happiness' course for sufferers of depression and anxiety. One of the modules suggests that I should create my own Wellness Toolbox.

Today I will be sharing with you, what I will be adding to my toolbox and over the coming weeks, I will come back and cover each Topic.

The idea is to come up with a list of things that you can do for a quick mood boost. Try to include any strategies, activities, or skills that have helped in the past. The more “tools” for coping with depression, the better. Try and implement a few of these ideas each day, even if you’re feeling good.

 Here is my tool list...

Go outside
Read a Good Book, or as much as you can while the kids are distracted
Watch a Funny movie or YouTube clip
Enjoy a warm bath
Do some craft
Sew
Pin stuff on Pinterest

Listen to music
Get a few small tasks done and out of the way
Throw the ball around for the dogs

Write a blog post or journal entry

Go for a coffee and babycino at your favorite cafe


Talk to a friend
Talk to a health care Professional
Guided imagery
Journaling--writing in a notebook
Bake something yummy
Exercise
Take medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements
Attend a support group
Do something "normal" like washing your hair, or going to work


Surround yourself with people who are positive, affirming and loving
Wear something that makes you feel good
Look through old pictures, scrapbooks and photo albums
Do something that makes you laugh
Do something special for someone else
Get some little things done
Repeat positive affirmations


Practice relaxation techniques. A daily relaxation practice can help relieve symptoms of depression, reduce stress, and boost feelings of joy and well-being. Try yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation.

What would your Wellness Toolbox Look Like? Have I missed anything in my list?

Thank you for reading and for your support,
Christina

Mothers Guilt

	Main Entry:              Guilt Part of Speech:         noun Definition:                Blame; bad conscience over responsibility   I'm suffering from the worst form of Mothers Guilt this week. Not the "oops I fed him too much biscuits and not enough fruit kind of guilt. The all consuming, I can't think or function guilt. The guilt that crawls it's way from your head, down into your belly where its moves itself in circles until you feel like you cant breath, or eat or think about anything else. What have I done? I hear you ask..... I'm going back to work. Something that would have been so simple before kids, has become such a process of planning, coordinating, stressing AND facing the realisation that i will miss him so much that my heart already aches. I'm dreading the things he'll learn at Daycare, that I wish I could stay at home and teach him instead. The crying when I drop him off and the crying when I pick him up. The constant worrying that he wont eat or use the toilet when he is there.                                                                     I could keep going and going.......But I wont, I'll get back to organising and just hope that everything will fall into place as it should.  What Set's off your 'Mothers Guilt'? Do you have any advice on how I can overcome these feelings come 6am Monday morning? HELP! Thank you for reading ~ Christina *Please read below for details on how to win yourself a Zipper Brooch. My lovely friend Erica of Recycled Fashion is having a giveaway! If you want to win this very cool Zipper Brooch, just read the details below :-)
	Erica is giving away three brooches. To be in for a chance of winning one, all you need to do, is click 'like' on this link > http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152101868840363&set=o.110318319016105&type=1&theater which is a vote against Erica's entry into the current Salvos contest. After you've done this, leave a comment on Recycled fashions Facebook page here to say you've liked, and she'll draw three winners next week! GOOD LUCK