How are you protecting your mental health?

[Invasionofthegutsnatchers]

Shitstorm going on in the news, dark evenings etc. Personally I'm dealing with my insomnia by listening to my favourite musical theatre soundtrack with earphones. How about you?

All the things I would normally do - run most days, walk the dog, loads of fresh air. I can’t do because I have bloody Covid.

However, I expect when I’m out of isolation I’ll definitely be appreciating the small things and I’ll be getting out and about in the fresh air as much as possible. Lots of long walks with the dog by the river. I can’t wait. And counting myself lucky that it seems mild for now.

These are great ideas. Today I'm going out with DD, going swimming, decluttering and tackling a few housework jobs.

By avidly doom scrolling the hysterical threads on this site.

We've had a very challenging few years healthwise with close family members and I really do think it helps develop resilience.

I cope by having very realistic expectations. I don't care if the rule of 6 indoors comes in again, I care that we all stay well and get through it. Luckily with zoom, group chats etc no one need feel isolated.

Exercise too. You never feel miserable after a brisk 5m walk/jog/bike ride (or whatever you are physically able to do) with a good playlist blaring.

I'm in bed watching old bbc and merchant Ivory period dramas on my iPad. I've broken my arm in three places, dd 2 is being teenage vile, the other three kids are positive for Covid. We just cancelled both sets of grandparents coming for Christmas.
I think this has been my lowest ebb throughout the whole thing and that's saying something because I'm a care home manager and to say it's been a rough two years is a big understatement.

@Totallydefeated
GP surgery puts you on hold and cuts off after 59 minutes.

I have done this on several occasions.

I did eConsult and receptionist called me back and said I could have a telephone appointment on 14 January and that they were so busy and put the phone down.

Can 111 do a CD?

111 can do an emergency script, which this is. It might only tide you over for a week or two, though.

You could in the meantime do another econsult and state that you can’t wait until mid Jan and if they can’t accommodate you, you need to speak to the practice manager so they can explain how else you can get your meds.

You could also call the CCG and ask them what to do. They may light a fire up the surgery’s backside.

If all else fails you can go to A and E, but ringing 111 should forestall that, especially if you explain that that will be your next step if you don’t get your meds that day.

@Topseyt

By ignoring the news as much as possible.

I'd rather read or watch other TV.

I'm doing the same. Can't bear the doom and gloom plus horrific headlines we've had recently.

Gardening programs are helping me feel more positive.

@Totallydefeated
Thank you so much for your advice

[quote StarCat2020]@Totallydefeated
Thank you so much for your advice[/quote]
No worries!

We’ve had to do similar for DH and it’s incredibly frustrating and time consuming but he simply couldn’t be without his meds, so we just kept at it until it was sorted.

Not watching any news or announcements.
Going out to bars and restaurants where things are normal.
Spending time with friends.
Focusing on health - good nutrition, exercise, nature.
Two concerts yesterday, maybe a trip to the cinema later.

@Totallydefeated
I have been a bit "hard of thinking" for the last few days and I needed someone like you to spell out what to do.

I honestly don't think you realise how much I appreciate someone being directly helpful.

Thank you

Mine is extra difficult at the moment as I am quite ill and waiting for an op which has just been cancelled. I can’t do any of my usual ‘brisk walks and learn a new craft skill!’ stuff.

I am reading Georgette Heyer, ringing up my lovely friends to cry at them and making lists of Things I Am Going To Do When I’m Better. I was counting down the days but I am scared to do that in case the op gets cancelled again.

Great thread OP thank you.

Getting outside especially for a walk
Doing some Christmas crafts
Listening to music

So far, Fargo, True Detective, Game of Thrones and now The Walking Dead.
Real Life seems not so bad in comparison

Meditation, AA meetings, church (even though I’m not a practising Christian…I just find it peaceful and uplifting).

I’ll also be going for lots of walks in nature over Christmas, getting plenty of sleep and remembering all the things I have to be grateful for.

@StarCat2020 @Totallydefeated made some great suggestions. May I also add in pharmacists. Ask your GP surgery if they have a prescribing pharmacist you can speak to. My old surgery did my new one doesn't so it's hit and miss. If you do they can do your review and get your repeats re issued. Also do you regularly get your prescriptions at the same pharmacy? If you do they may be able to issue you an emergency supply. This is where they can give you up to 2 weeks worth of tablets and then when the prescription comes in they will dispense the remainder. I don't think the latter applies to controlled drugs. Just mind to phrase it appropriately, it's "I can't get hold of my GP to get my prescription" not "My GP won't give me a prescription". Semantics can be everything!

Thanks for the lovely thread OP.
DD 19m, DH and I are watching lots of Christmassy tv, baking (mostly sampling for DD) and going to feed the ducks in the stream at the end of our road.
Trying not to think about a second sh*tty Christmas without family but it's hard not to ruminate on it. Local MH organisation queried OCD for me last week and I feel like it may make sense but feel very frustrated at another potential diagnosis after 10+ years of mental health difficulties.
Sorry for the negative reply.

[quote StarCat2020]@Totallydefeated
I have been a bit "hard of thinking" for the last few days and I needed someone like you to spell out what to do.

I honestly don't think you realise how much I appreciate someone being directly helpful.

Thank you[/quote]
It’s so stressful when you can’t get your meds.

Hope you’re sorted v soon.

BellaBella’s suggestion also might provide a route into getting your meds, though if it’s anything controlled, eg Pregabalin, the pharmacist’s are unable to dispense ahead of the script.

I don't know right now. It feels like I have swallowed a bowling ball and I can't stop shaking.

@BellaBella1984
Thank you for your advice as well which would have been great if I wasn't so awkward that the ADHD med is a CD.

Thank you for taking the time to advise me though, I genuinely am really grateful.

Is it Hamilton? I LOVE Hamilton. It got me through lockdown last year .

@XenoBitch

[quote TheVampiresWife]@XenoBitch [/quote]
Thank you
Feeling a bit calmer now.

Reading lots of books. Recently discovered Natasha Pulley's books and they are brilliant for getting swept up in enough to forget about daily life.