Is it worth planing to protect MH?

[randomer]

I'm wondering if there's anything I can put in place to help get through the next few weeks. I feel myself sinking.
Anybody else? Any ideas?

List what you can do rather than what you can’t.

I find a tidy and clean home is important (or more accurately, a messy one speeds the decline into a mental health slump) - so I'd go on a big tidy drive now. Plan some treats to look forward to, even if it's just putting a favourite chocolate bar aside for a specific day each week. Try and do a bit of exercise/stretching each morning. Prioritise getting enough sleep.

If you usually get a seasonal dip in your MH and if any new restrictions might mean less time out and about then maybe invest in a light box?

what has helped me:
sorting, organising and tidying the house - took 4 days off work and blitzed it when dc went back to school!
making sure I have got a good supply of food in, and measl planning and booking delivery slots in advance
made a start on Christmas shopping and put a few gifts away already.
eating more healthily
getting back into my running
making sue I always have a good book on the go
other than that , then ignoring stoo much news etc...!

My MH is fucked. Why didn't they plan properly for a pandemic? Useless, incompetent wankers.

I think it really helps to have a project to distract you that gives you some sense of progress, whether it is learning a language on Duolingo, baking the perfect loaf or doing a 2000 piece jigsaw or simply watching a massive boxed set. Something that if you end up having to miss out on doing something you were looking forward to because of Covid restrictions, will make you feel that there’s at least a tiny silver lining in that you have time to make some progress with the Project.

Thanks for this thread.
I'm planning how to make Christmas and Halloween fun for the kids whatever happens.
Getting a new fire stove put in (hopefully).
Something - anything - alone, that I want to do. Thinking what that is (at the stage where I can't remember what I like )
Enough sleep
Lots of sex if possible. If not lots of sex lots of orgasms elseways (good for the immune system anyway).

I'm on a cleaning and cooking drive. Made a massive pot of vegetable sauce to freeze early. Have a large amazon order all ready to go.

Not sure it's going to be enough though. Hate feeling trapped inside, home has never been my "safe place".

@FippertyGibbett

List what you can do rather than what you can’t.

Another alternative (tip from weekend magazine) write a to-done list each day/week rather than a to-do.

This week I have stained our gate and fence and mown lawn before rain starts this week. Two time hungry jobs that never got on a to-do list. Apparently it's depressing seeing lists of things you never got round to doing do writing down what you managed, even if it is have shower, got dressed, tomorrow it might be had shower, got dressed, changed bedding. Etc.

@mosscarpet

I have done the same as you, but really need to get on top of the house tidying.

Try to have a routine.
Get enough sleep.
Eat as healthily as possible.
Take vitamin B.
Walking clears the cobwebs from your mind.
A tidy house is the sign of a tidy mind so keep on top of it or de-clutter your home if it needs it.
Have an evening (or a day) where you eat your favourite foods.
Set aside time to do something you enjoy each day: watching TV, reading, doing a crossword puzzle, pottering in the garden if you have one, even painting your nails or trying a different look with make-up.
Be aware of the things that trigger a fall in your mood.
Reject negativity whether that means avoiding people who bring you down or not watching and listening to the news. That includes steering clear of certain boards on MN too.

Good idea for a thread.

Can you go outside for a short time each day, ideally a walk (or a run if that's your thing!) Even if it's raining being outside always make me feel better.

Exercise (perhaps set a target for something like PP said to have a goal to work towards)

A project in general is a very good idea. I'm going to make some clothes

A weekly "treat" to look forward to, whatever you like, mine is going to be a weekend bubble bath with a magazine and the most £££ bath soak I can afford (Aldi bath foam the rest of the week!)

I always think stuff like this is a lot easier if you have some money to throw at it. (I know money doesn't cure mental health problems but all the above strategies to help with it, bar the fresh air/exercise, cost money sadly eg fabric, bubble bath, nice food, £5 food magazine...)

I'm especially really fretting about shielding (I'm in that category) being reintroduced, and just rates going up generally. It's making me feel very flat and kind of "heavy" The one thing I can't live (happily at least) without is "touch" from DH, even hugging or just kissing in the morning before work. I seriously would prioritise that for my mental health as I will sink too low without it, I know. We just have to be as careful as we can.

This thread is a good idea, thank you for starting it. I'm sure it will help lots of us.

Sorry if that last bit sounds a bit insensitive. I didn't mean it to be! I hope the thread is helpful

Great idea for a thread... for me I’m focusing on what was difficult last time and how to change that

So:

• making weekend plans to have fun (even if it’s a walk outside with friends!)
• nice food eg bakery bread
• pampering/me time : fancy shower gel/bubble bath

Working on not catastrophising and keeping focus on today/this week
Limiting time on news/social media in;favour of hobbies or chatting with friends and family

Good idea for a thread!

What about getting loads of group and individual Skype / zoom calls booked in. So that you have a few things a week to look forward to.

Couple of articles I thought were helpful

www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/self-care-tips-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/dealing-with-depression-during-coronavirus.htm

@LivingIsHard, Sorry to hear that, It's challenging. Mine from today is dial down the news and stay local. I know that sounds daft but a short local walk is nice and I find other drivers are preoccupied. I think there will be a lot of accidents. Sorry.

Nice links there, thanks.

Vitamin D. Excellent for seasonal depression, taken by everyone in Denmark due to how little daylight time they get. I've had a long history of depression and hormonal issues. The vitamin D has no noticeable sides effects, and when I'm off meds seems to really help.

Start feeding the birds in your garden. They are wonderful to watch, and by feeding them through the winter you're helping them to survive too.

I’ve just started paying attention to the birds too ... they are free spirits!

OP : do you have transport to go somewhere new? Even walking around an unfamiliar village etc - that’s another thing that helps me

Thanks@ DespairingHomeowner, I have been dragging somebody behind me for some of lockdown and I need to stop trying really. I am very fortunate, I have a car, running water, heating , decent food and so on. Its easy to go on a downward spiral. I genuinely do suffer from SAD, not just a bit fed up, thats one of the reasons I struggle at Christmas. Like can't even write a card, that level of fatigue.