Improving my MH

[ImprovingMyMH]

I'm just starting this thread for some accountability really.

So, things that make my MH better:
Getting enough sleep
Eating properly
Exercising
Mindfulness
Feeling on top of things (although this is a bit chicken and egg)

Things that make it worse:
Getting my period
Lack of sunlight

I want to do everything that I possibly can to improve my MH for ~3 months.

Does anyone fancy joining me?

[ImprovingMyMH]

Yesterday's good things:
Lie in
Ate well
Spoke to friend a bit about my MH
Read

But...
I had a lovely coffee too close to bedtime, then I couldn't get to sleep

• I'm going to buy some decaf coffee

[ChanceBeAFineThing]

Good idea. I'm with you. On my list I have

Do 10 mins daily headspace mindfulness app
banning of screens 30 mins to an hour before bed

Going to start there as don't want to overwhelm myself!

[WinchesterWoman]

May I suggest a supplement, 5-HTP? It's helping two members of my family. Also zinc. Just over the counter stuff. It's made a difference for us.

[ImprovingMyMH]

That's a really good plan to get started Chance , I'm doing the same.

I really like the Headspace app, and want to start using it again.

[ImprovingMyMH]

Thanks Winchester, I'll look into that.

[ChanceBeAFineThing]

I'm going to start here for, I don't know, 2/3 weeks, and then add in another thing on my list.

[ImprovingMyMH]

Today's good things:
Nap this morning
Family day out
Ate well
Meditated for the first time in ages

I really need to focus on getting more sleep. I have a Fitbit, so I know exactly how little I get.

[han01uk]

Def up for joining you in this. Intrigued about the 5-HTP...can it be used combined with sntidepressants and prescribed Neuro inhibitors (gabapentin)? I've been suffering with headaches related to stress for some time. Am up for trying anything to be able to function again!

[ImprovingMyMH]

No wonder I'm tired!

[minatiae]

Doing this too.

For those who drink, cutting out alcohol is a great help.

[ImprovingMyMH]

Hi han, hopefully Winchester might know the answer to your question about 5-HTP. I'm trying to get back into meditation at the moment, as I've found it really helpful before - have you ever tried it?

I'm feeling a bit embarrassed about my epic sleep on Saturday night now. DH gave me a lie in because I was struggling after a difficult week.

[imnervous]

Id love to join this thread so place marking!

I've just come off sertraline, having been on it for 7 months.

I'm determined to stay off it, planning on eating better ( I get very jittery when I miss meals- not good for my anxiety!), walking more, trying to find a relaxing hobby, walking more, looking into supplements

[ImprovingMyMH]

Hi minatiae and imnervous! Oh good, I hoped that other people might join the thread, sharing ideas and recording their progress etc. in whatever way they want to.

[ChanceBeAFineThing]

Glad there are more of us. Hello everyone.

Did headspace today. And now to put phone down.....

[WinchesterWoman]

I don't know, is the answer to your question. My family members take it with nothing else (occasional zinc only) because neither want to use ADs. I would say that our success has been marked and instantaneous.

[MountainDweller]

I would love to try to join in. I am on ADs but they don't help much and there are no others I can take.
Am in a bad way mentally and physically.

I need to improve my eating and fitness too - I have an injury that's not healing and this approach has been suggested by my dr for but it will lead to more pain short term and I'm afraid of pain, my life is full of it already!

I need to improve my sleep schedule (currently sleeping around 4am to 12pm)

I need to improve my concentration somehow - work is beyond me, reading is beyond me (except mn), can just about manage cooking and meal planning but admin tasks make me panic, especially if there are lots of them at once

But OMG my get up and go has got up and gone... I think it's made it to the other side of the world by now!

So I may not be a suitable candidate....

[ChanceBeAFineThing]

Of course you are Mountain. I'm not viewing this as a completely fix me thread, just what one or two tiny things can I do to make a little improvement, because some change is better than no change.

Did anyone see the BBC programme last week about giving up prescription drugs - there was a bit on depression (and chronic pain). It was really interesting.

[ImprovingMyMH]

Hi Mountain, I second what Chance said - just try to make small changes as and when you can. Then tell us about them! This thread was just enough to give me the push I needed to meditate yesterday.

[AnthonyPandy]

I'll join in. My goals are
a - no sugar (I read it increases anxiety???
b - exercise every day on a stepper thing
c - get to bed and eyes shut by 9.30 every day
d - no screens after 8pm
e - try and be proactive about stuff because when I am anxious I 'do an ostrich' and this is EXACTLY the wrong thing to do. For me proactive = less stress.

[Thecatgotmytongue]

I'm in too. My goals are

• get more sleep during the week
  
• eat less junk
  
• try to walk daily

[ImprovingMyMH]

Hi Anthony and thecat.

Anthony, I pretty much gave up refined sugar ages ago. It's been a really positive thing for me - I lost a stone or so without really trying, and I feel a lot better in myself. I usually have a piece of cake per week now.

[AnthonyPandy]

ImprovingMyMH That's interesting. When you say you've given up refined sugar, what exactly do you mean? What sugar (if any) do you eat? I intend stopping chocolate, sugar in drinks, biscuits etc but I like hot chocolate so maybe one a week??? and what about baking? I have some apples to do a crumble. They're cooking apples so I have to add sugar really. Would you eat that?

[ImprovingMyMH]

Anthony, I just don't usually eat anything with added sugar like chocolate, biscuits, flavoured yoghurt, cake, sweets, breakfast cereal etc. I eat fruit (usually with Greek yoghurt) every day, so I still eat natural sugars. And I usually have a sweet treat once a week, so I'd definitely eat your homemade apple crumble.

[bellend123]

Hi, I'd like to join, I'm currently on several medications but I'm trying to stop my antidepressant, the main reasons are I sweat too much and cannot orgasm

I have to try and improve my mental health in other ways, I'm not sure where to start really as I've been so reliant on medication.

[ImprovingMyMH]

Hi bell - they're both valid reasons . What things do you think might help your MH, or what areas might there be room for improvement in?