Monday Morning. We can all do this.

[WingsofNylon]

I find the anticipation of the coming week hard on my mental health. I'm going to guess that others do too.

Whatever you are facing, you do have the strength. Even if you don't feel it yet.

I can do it, you can do it, we can all do it!

Come and share words of encouragement and your Monday aims.

I'm going imagine I have a team of enthusiastic cheerleaders behind me all day. Backing up every positive decision I make.

I could sleep (helpful) so i made myself breakfast of porridge and coffee. I don't need to be there until 8 but I don't know how long it'll take to get there as traffic in the city is insane

Couldn't *

Hi @cementpointing and welcome to MH and the thread.

Hi Wings Monday was good, my week just got a bit more nuts though as my work-related plan for the rest of the week changed at short notice. I'm trying to roll with it but I'm crap with change at the best of times and had geared myself up for one sort of week and now have a different week ahead of me.

I cleared my calendar for Sunday so I can get some rest in on the weekend, and am giving myself a pat on the back for this act of self-care.

@NewYoiker thinking of you today and wishing you all the best.

Hi nomore ! Hope today goes okay for you.

Woohoo. Well done NewYoiker I will be cheering for you all the way through to the end of the shift.

Keep focusing on the parts of the role you like nomore

Erin last minute change, even if it is actually to an easier or calmer state, is really hard for me. Sounds like you are doing a good job of looking out for yourself though.

I'm cheering for myself over:

Eating well yesterday.

Getting ahead with some work.

Thanks Wings I'm doing my best!

Well done for eating well and getting ahead with some work.

Thinking of you NewYoiker.

Thanks! It went okay! I was exhausted last night but I did another shift 7-3 today and now I'm in bed for a bit 😂 I used to try and stay awake but I feel like that is far more detrimental to my mental health than a quick a power nap! I wish I could be a normal person who doesn't get exhausted after a 10 hour shift but I do so that's okay

Self care is about doing what you can to make yourself feel better. Sometimes it's going for a walk and sometimes it's watching films in bed. I signed up for the buddy box this month it's a box designed to help people with anxiety and depression. Every box has 5 items in it designed to help you switch off and take a moment. I bloody love it!

I've also made the decision to pay for some therapy sessions

www.blurtitout.org/buddybox/

A good day fir me today.
Agree with self care completely . It can be sitting down, having water, not carrying a heavy bag, being kind to oneself .

I treated myself to this mug today. My mental health isn't great at the moment and I need to work on that. Im making myself unwell focusing on the negatives. I am struggling.
My plan to do a weeks work hasn't gone to plan but.. I am going to try again next week and I've booked Tuesday to Friday 8.30-6.30 all week.

I have a thing for Harry Potter and this mug will hopefully bring me a bit more peace and help me to be a bit more mindful?

Also I wrote down these things and I need to stick them somewhere prominent!

Just checking in to say, well done on the self-care everyone. I'm doing okay-ish, a bit hectic, think I might be premenstrual which always makes my emotions harder to manage. I used to track my periods using an app, which helped me to known when I was getting PMS symptoms, I think I'll go back to doing that. .

I’ve been awake since 5 after a very fitful night’s sleep. I’m suffering anxiety- related sleep problems and (I think) depression due to some very stressful crap going on. I’m also just starting menopause which makes life even more fraught.
BUT I’m about to wake my beautiful boy in a few minutes to get ready for school and I’ll get through this rough patch like we all will : my mantras are keep on keeping on, and this too will pass. Cheesy but effective

I have had v stressful day today - but trying to be self compassionate so instead of thinking ' what's wrong with me why am I stressed?' I am thinking ' tough day for anyone on the frontline nhs - take it easy , congratulate self, pyjamas and bath and tv night x

Yes exactly, we’re stressed because we’re dealing with stress, it’s a logical response to the situation. That helps to keep it in perspective.

I find tiredness is a killer for me

Me too, I am tearful and despondent if very underslept. I have Diazapam for anxiety which helps me sleep, but I feel zonked the next day.

Hey @nomoreusernamesfree what you are saying makes sense to me. Maybe reframe it and ask "Why is self-care a challenge for me?" I sometimes think that when I am struggling, why is it that some people seem to find self care easy as others of us have to make an active effort to take care of ourselves?

I'm doing okay, glad to have made it to Friday!

Yes so glad to have made it to FRIDAY !! major achievement !!

Hi all I'm feeling really anxious this morning. I'm worried about how it's all going in my absence over the weekend at work and if everything is ok.

Hey @nomoreusernamesfree I’m a bit confused. Were you rota’d for this weekend and are not at work or were you not supposed to work?

Hi sorry no I am working Monday to Friday at the moment but in an acute area so I'm anxious about if everything and everyone is ok over the weekend. Natural I know but realistically there's not much point in going in there as I'm not going to be doing a full days work and it could just escalate ( though I have done that before)

Okay, that makes sense.

It sounds so tough - I have a lot of admiration for anyone who works in an acute area. However, one part of being able to do the type of work that you do is being able to not-do it on the weekends so that you can be able to work when you are rota’d to be there, or at least, that’s what I tell myself after going through several years of alternately working very hard then having to take time off due to MH stuff. The not being at work is one piece of the work, which is actually a hard piece if you are someone who takes your work seriously.

My work is not in any sense acute, although sometimes colleagues can make it feel as if it is when they pressure for deliverables with short timelines. It might be different for you.

What could you do to help with the anxiety?

Can I join in here please? I see there’s a long thread to read through but wanted to post while I saw it.

I have anxiety which I usually manage all right but has been particularly bad for a few months. Saw a doctor last week which wasn’t really too helpful but my manager at work has been rather better which is good

Can I join the cheer squad please? My anxiety is through the roof at the moment to the point where I'm having panic attacks and scary dizzy spells. Work is the worst for me, I'm terrified of having a panic attack at work. I didn't go in all last week and if I don't turn up tomorrow I'm pretty sure they are gonna sack me.

I'm trying desperately to manage it with medication (anti depressants and beta blockers) rather than with gin!

I need a big cheer squad behind me tonight and tomorrow morning!

Aaaand here comes the Sunday night panic!

Can I join too? Worried about work tomorrow - I hate how it's interfered with my day when I should be enjoying time with my family.