Healthy eating/gardening/anxiety

[rainbowninja]

Is anyone interested in joining a thread about the impact of healthy eating on their mental health?

I've suffered from anxiety for years but it's been a lot worse since I became a mum.

With lockdown in the mix I just feel physically and emotionally depleted.

I've had some tests done and I know that I am low in certain vitamins etc. I've been recommended supplements to take and to 'eat the rainbow' (basically eat shed loads of veg). I want to give it a go for my own sake and my daughter because I know I'm not being the best mum to her. I'm anxious and irritable.

It feels quite overwhelming but I am quite interested in learning about nutrition, I also quite like the idea of having a go at growing some of my own veg as I've been enjoying being outside lately and I know it helps me.

I don't want to do it on my own though so I wondered if there were any other anxious mumsnetters out there that would be interested in learning/growing with me. No pressure to change anything overnight, maybe we could just cheer each other on for drinking an extra glass of water or something?

Hi @Lokikitty,

I just don't think alcohol and me are a good mix at the moment, I take quite a lot of meditation still and I fear it making me more anxious.

I hope you're feeling ok after your booster?

I had sea bass for tea tonight, I still struggle a bit to get over the idea of eating fish but it really wasn't bad. I've even saved a bit to have tomorrow.

When do you start back at work?

Hi Rainbow,

That makes sense, not mixing alcohol with medication.

Other than the sore arm, I was fine after the booster.

I love sea bass. Have you tried something like fish cakes or fish pie? It might be easier for you than fish on it's own.

I returned to work today. I worked at a private nursery through my agency. Getting ready for work was a struggle because I'd got into a habit of waking up really late. I was fine once I started work. It was a really friendly nursery and there were only 8 children in the room I was in. Desperately needed to get back to routine. I'm back to school tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

How has your week been?

I hope you had a good first day back @Lokikitty

I was a bit worried about my daughter going back today, felt like it might be a bit of a shock after the holidays but I'm sure she'll adjust again.

Fish cakes probably would be good for me apart from I'm avoiding potatoes at the moment and it definitely seems to help my anxiety.

My husband is making a lamb stew today so that should be nice.

Hi Rainbow,

First day back went okay. I just felt a bit tired and out of it. Not had a good couple of days. I was meant to have a online teams meeting with an autism support group. I couldn't attend though because I couldn't get on Teams. I spent an hour googling how to change an old work email so I could get on.

Came down with a cold last night and had some stuff on my mind. Only got around 3 hours sleep. Feeling awful today.

How are you doing?

Hi @Lokikitty,

Sorry to hear you had such a frustrating experience trying to join your meeting, that's the sort of thing that would really stress me out too. Is it supposed to be a regular thing?

What are your plans for the weekend? I've been quite busy with study the last couple of days and also going out on lots of walks to help with the agoraphobia. I think I might have overdone it a bit because I feel a bit overstimulated. I also did yoga and piano practice, I seem to go from being paralysed by indecision to trying to overachieve. Think I just need to cut myself some slack.

I'm currently treating myself to some deliciously Ella dark chocolate almonds ☺️

Hi Rainbow,

Yeah the meetings will be a regular thing for 10 weeks. The one I missed was just a introduction but it was still really stressful not being able to figure out how to get on Teams. Did eventually get on after an hour. I had to uninstall Teams a few times before it allowed me to change the email address.

I'm isolating until Friday or Monday. I tested positive for covid yesterday. I only had a runny nose. The only reason that I was doing LFTs daily was because my brother tested positive on the 3rd of January. I saw him 3 days before his symptoms started, so didn't need to test. Just felt it was better to be extra cautious.

Other than a runny nose, my only other symptom is clumsiness! I'm a naturally clumsy person but been worse over the past 4 days, so I looked it up. Clumsiness is one of the reported symptoms!

Hi @Lokikitty,

How are you feeling? Hope your symptoms are still quite minor but can't be fun having to isolate again.

I had a call this morning about doing a further course when my current one finishes in March, I'm looking at doing a health coach qualification. I think I'm going to go ahead with it but I'm a bit nervous as it involves more study.

The healthy eating is going pretty well although my late snacking has been an issue again!

Hi Rainbow,

I'm feeling fine now. My symptoms went yesterday. I'm coping okay with the isolation so far. My daughter is isolating with me, even though she doesn't have to. I've been doing a lot of cleaning!

That's good news about the course. Hope you are able to do it.

I've started having sugar in my tea while isolating. I'm drinking lots of tea. It's the only thing i look forward to. I'll get back on track when I'm out of isolation.

Hi @Lokikitty,

Glad you're symptoms aren't too bad, you'll certainly be on top of the cleaning at the end of this!

Sweet of your daughter to isolate with you, she sounds lovely.

I signed up for my course earlier but I feel a bit flat now, I had some gluten last night and I'm pretty sure it makes me feel depressed but it could also be PMS.

We're having pork meatballs tonight, that's a good idea to enjoy your tea with sugar until you get back into your routine.

Hi Rainbow,

You're right about the cleaning! I have had more than enough time to catch up with cleaning.

Glad you signed up for the course. Hope you're feeling better today.

I've just had my first 2 hour session with the autism group. It was a very long time for me to be on Teams. I did well at the beginning of the session by putting my hand and sharing my experience of getting a diagnosis.

It was just frustrating because it felt too long and I had to decline 2 phone calls and ignore lots of texts during the meeting. I rarely get anyone phoning or texting me, so this was really odd.

It's been quite nice having the extra time to spend with my daughter. I barely saw her over Christmas and New Year.

Thanks @Lokikitty,

Yes feeling a bit better now.

Glad you made it to the autism group and congrats for putting your hand up, not always easy doing that! And that's always the way isn't it when you don't want to be disturbed 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm glad you're enjoying the time with your daughter at least. Hopefully not too much longer in isolation now.

I've had my health coaching session this morning and now need to do my online food shop for tomorrow.

Hi Rainbow ,

How has your day been? I tested negative on day 6 and 7, so was able to end isolation today. I returned to work and everyone was happy to see me. The way the children were hugging me, you'd think that they hadn't seen me for years!!

I did struggle with the noise though, after spending a week in a quiet flat. Also found the day unusually tiring. I'm working tomorrow morning, then got the rest of the weekend to relax.

How do you find online shopping? I only do it when isolating, as I find it a pain. It seems to take me forever to find things.

Hi @Lokikitty,

I'm glad you made it back into school last week, hope you're settling back into the routine again ok.

I'm doing ok thank you, studying hormones on my course which is something I find fascinating!

I've been lacking a bit of motivation on the cookery but we had lemon sole tonight which was quite nice. Have you done any baking?

There are pros and cons to online shopping, it does force you to shop in a different way. I miss being able to browse!

Hi Rainbow

This week hasn't been great so far. There was a change at work that I didn't cope very well with and it affected my sleep. It's been sorted out now but I'm just feeling really tired.

Glad your course is going well. It sounds interesting.

I haven't been baking. Done quite a lot of cooking though. I made some garlicky and creamy chicken with potatoes and vegetables on Monday 😋

I like a good browse too. I also prefer going to the supermarket because I need visual prompts to remind me what I need to buy.

Hi @Lokikitty,

Sorry you had a bit of a blip in the week, hope you're having a nice weekend?

I love the sound of garlicky and creamy chicken! We had chicken wings today with salad and slaw. It was a friends birthday so I had a vegan dark chocolate biscuit but had a head ache after so I'm still not sure about me and dark chocolate/caffeine. I might just get myself tested for caffeine sensitivity and get an answer for once and all.

Yes I think you've just summed up the frustration of shopping online sometimes, there is no sense of going through each different section although I do think I probably save myself quite a bit of time in the long run so there are pro's and con's.

Hi Rainbow,

I've had a bit of a mixed weekend. Work went well on Saturday. I went out for a meal Saturday evening. Got some lovely chicken wings 😋. Looked for a house or flat to rent but there's very little in my area. The places that keep coming up are in really rough parts of town. So very disappointing and frustrating.
How was your weekend?

Work has been busy. We have a lot of staff off. There's someone different off very day. We've been putting new bookcases together. I didn't realise how complicated they can be, especially when there aren't any instructions!

I'm celebrating my 40th this week. My daughter is treating me to The Cystal Maze Experience 😊

Hi @Lokikitty,

When is your birthday? Hope I haven't missed it! I turned 40 last year, welcome to the club 😊

Do you need to move out or is it your choice? It sounds like a frustrating start to the search anyway, hope it improves 🤞🏻

I haven't been feeling like cooking today, ended up snacking. I need to do better tomorrow, I'm going to have some more sessions with the health coach and see if I can get more motivated.

Hi Rainbow,

My birthday is tomorrow. Not sure if I'm ready to join the club! Guess I've got no choice 🤣

I want to move out. My landlord is horrible and I've had a lot of problems with leaks, the boiler and electricity. Thanks, I hope it improves too.

Have you felt more motivated to cook today? I just did baked salmon for tea. I needed to do something quick before my group session. This turned out to be really stressful as it took me 40 minutes to get on Teams. I got so annoyed with it that it was only towards the end of the session that I felt able to contribute.

Happy birthday @Lokikitty 🥳

Hope you're having a good day! And yes not a lot of choice in joining this club 🤣

I've been having mainly salads because they are easier to prepare, I'm having a turkey steak tonight with some roasted veg though which should be nice.

Sounds like you had a nightmare with teams again, I've never had to use it but have had similar technology issues with other things, it's so stressful and really doesn't put you in a good frame of mind to 'socialise'.

What are you doing for your birthday?

Thanks Rainbow

It's good that you're managing to be healthy and have salads. I've just made meatballs for tea. It's something that I find a bit tricky. They turned out okay. Definitely room for improvement though.

I had a lovely birthday. I got my hair done after work, which was a rare treat. Then went to do The Cystal Maze Experience. The challenges were really hard but fun. The physical challenges made me feel terribly unfit 🤣. There was a lot of running, climbing and a massive slide! On one of my challenges, I had to move a gaint barrel!

How has your day been?

Hi @Lokikitty,

I'm a bit hit and miss with meatballs too, what meat do you use? We had steak tonight with salad and chimmichurri dressing.

Your birthday sounds brilliant, glad you enjoyed it 😊

Not a bad day, I went out for a walk with my husband this morning and and we made it as far as the shops on the high street so I bought my daughter a treat from the sweet shop for when she got home from school which made me (and her) happy 😃

Hi Rainbow

I use beef. My daughter liked the meatballs, so they must have been okay. Your tea sounds nice. I haven't had steak for ages.

Glad you did a walk. You and your daughter are easily pleased. Best way to be 🤣

I did an online food shop again. I used my Tesco vouchers, so was a very cheap shop 😊. It took me ages though. My daughter is going to help me next time.

I was meant to be going out for a meal tonight but the restaurant had a power cut. Just my luck!

Hi @Lokikitty,

I'm making a concerted effort to be grateful of the small stuff at the moment, helps me feel more positive.

Nice that you had a cheap Tesco shop!

Oh no, is the power cut because of the storms? Hope you're able to reschedule.

I made vegetable fritters at the weekend with gram flour and they turned out quite nice.

Hi Rainbow

The power cut was probably because of the storm. I'm still waiting for the meal to be rearranged.

You've reminded me of courgette fritters that I used to make. I'll have to make them again soon.

I've just had my group session. Lots of technical issues. Took me 20 minutes to get on Teams. I've figured out that the only way I can get on is by uninstalling Teams and then reinstalling it. This takes ages.
When I finally got on I kept getting disconnected and it kept breaking up.

On a more positive note, I went back to doing keto on Sunday. Feeling the benefits already. I have decided to make an effort to try new things this time, so I don't get bored of it. I have made a broccoli and cauliflower salad for my lunch tomorrow.

Hi @Lokikitty,

I like courgette fritters too, I also saw a recipe today for butternut squash hash today which looked good.

I'm sorry your meeting was disrupted again 😔

How was the broccoli and cauliflower salad? I made buckwheat waffles for breakfast but they stuck to the waffle iron so I made a pancake instead!