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 Rainbow

Well done for going for a walk and going to the farm shop. Sorry to hear that you've felt down. Hope you can still feel good about the progress that you're making. I sometimes push myself a bit too hard with cooking or walking and end up low and overtired. It's hard to judge how much is too much.

I celebrated Eid on Monday. Because of things that have happened in the past, it's not a day that I look forward to. I felt quite anxious for a few days leading up to it. Luckily the day went okay and I enjoyed seeing my brother and 2 of my sisters that I haven't seen for ages. I'm not used to being around people all day, so it did have a negative impact on my sleep.

I've been struggling with my sleep for the past two weeks. Been muddling along through work most days. Just done a 15 minute guided meditation for anxiety by Lavendaire. Feeling quite relaxed.

Hi Loki,

how did you sleep after your meditation? I stayed up late last night, been watching ‘Julia’ on sky, it’s a drama based on the life of Julia Childs.

My mood lifted a bit this week, with retrospect I was really pre-menstrual. I saw a specialist hormone doctor on Wednesday and he is recommending I take HRT, I’m not sure what to make of that yet.

I’m sorry that you don’t look forward to Eid but glad it went better than expected, the pressure to enjoy time with family can be a lot especially when you don’t have a straightforward family situation.

How’s the cooking going? I’ve scraped by this week and haven’t really fancied doing anything new or adventurous. I’ve just eaten a whole bag of dark chocolate almonds 🙄

Hi Rainbow

I slept quite well after the meditation but that could just be a coincidence. For the past few weeks, I've been having a mixture of good and bad nights. There doesn't seem to be an obvious trigger for the bad nights.

I don't think I'd be keen on HRT either. I would want to try natural remedies or diet changes first.

I haven't done a lot of cooking lately. I made courgette frittatas Friday night. Hoping to do a roast chicken tonight.

How is your weekend going?

Hi Loki,

I had an ok weekend thanks, had my father in law staying again, also managed to take my daughter to the park for the first time in quite a while which was nice. I’ve been getting out a bit more but it’s a huge effort and I can’t seem to switch off the worrying afterwards. I guess it’ll take a while for my nervous system to adjust.

I made a beef stir fry tonight, it wasn’t my finest hour 😂 it was very basic but it made a change.

How’s your week going so far?

Hi Rainbow,

I've had an interesting week. The challenging children in my class have all been playing up. It's been the same throughout school. Maybe it's the full moon!!

I haven't felt up to cooking. There's been days that I haven't even managed to remember my packed lunch. My lovely colleagues have been feeding me.

I had a lovely shift at the special needs centre yesterday. I'm getting a lot more confident supportive the child that I work with quite a lot. I managed to get him in and out of his wheelchair without support.
I even supported him down the slide, which he absolutely loves.

My mum is high at the moment. Me and my daughter are struggling with visiting her.

Hoping for a better week 🤞. How has your week been?

Hi Loki,

Sounded like a full on week last week and there might be some element of truth in that re. the full moon!

Your colleagues do sound lovely, it makes such a difference when you feel supported and part of something. Sounds like the child at the special needs centre is lucky to have you supporting him ☺️

I did a short trip to the park at the weekend with my daughter which was positive, things are generally on the up but still v challenging.

I think I’m going to do the hormone replacement therapy. It’s bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic so I would be supplementing my body with something natural rather than the antidepressants that I’ve been on for many years. Still a bit nervous about it though.

Hi Rainbow

Glad you managed to do well with going to the park. You sound like you've done your research on HRT. Are you feeling any better about it?

I've had another hectic week at work. Bit calmer than last week though. We had someone observe my class and the feedback wasn't positive.

I went out for a meal with colleagues yesterday evening. The meal was lovely but expensive! I felt really comfortable, which is progress for me. Took me ages to fall asleep last night! My sleep has been good for a week 😊

My mum is still having her manic episode, so keeping my fingers crossed that visiting her goes okay and she starts to get better soon.

Looking forward to work tomorrow 😊. Thank you for what you said about the child I work with being lucky to have me supporting him. I feel lucky having the opportunity to learn from the lovely children that I support.

Hi Loki,

So I talked myself out of doing the HRT but I’m going to get a second opinion and I’ve found someone else I’m more comfortable with. It’s worth waiting it out a little longer and getting it right I think.

How is your mum doing? I hope she’s feeling better.

I hope you had a good weekend, mine was ok, managed to go to the park again, once successfully and another time I had to come straight home but at least I’m trying.

I’ve also started to strongly suspect that I have ADHD so I’m also going to look into that.

Hi Rainbow

Hope you manage to figure out what you're doing with the HRT. It must be a hard decision.

What makes you suspect that you have ADHD? I wouldn't be surprised if I have ADD but I think I've got enough labels, so won't be looking into that one!

My mum is getting worse. She gets like this every so often and it takes a long time before she is better. The frustrating thing is that there isn't an obvious trigger for why she got unwell or for what makes her better. She starts to talk to people in a very negative way, which is hard for me to deal with.

Sounds like you're trying the best that you can with getting out. Try not to get disheartened. Sometimes I force myself to do things that I know will trigger me, like spending time with my family, just because I need to feel like I'm going through the motions of a normal life.

Most of my weekend was awful. I crashed after work on Saturday and was quite emotional. It was only until Monday night that I realised that it was partly down to hormones.

Thanks Loki,

yes it’s ADD I think I have. It just finally clicked for me that underneath my anxiety disorder is another layer of dysfunction. Without the structure of work I struggle to know how to organise my time, I procrastinate and repeatedly try to come up with schedules only to abandon them a day later. I’ve also compulsively picked my skin for years and never knew until recently that it could be related.

Must be hard with your mum, I hope she comes out the other side of it soon.

Those pesky hormones eh? They have a lot to answer for! I’m reading a book at the moment - it’s not my head, it’s my hormones, makes a lot of sense!

I’ve been a little more relaxed with food this week, had a gluten free pizza last night and it was actually quite nice. Will see how I feel today as I don’t often have dairy.

Hi Rainbow

I know what you mean about the ADD. I struggle with functioning and just simple things like focusing on a conversation or film. My DD struggles with procrastinating and is often lost in a day dream.

I had a look at that book that you mentioned. It's an interesting read.

How did the gluten free pizza go?

It's been another busy week at work. We did activities for the queen's jubilee. I felt like I had to drag myself through some of the days because I had a rough weekend and my sleep is poor again.

My mum's health has further deteriorated. She isn't making a lot of sense and is jumping from topic to topic. Her behaviour is just very strange. Doctor won't give her sleeping tablets, which makes things so much worse.
I made some phone calls yesterday to see if she needs to be sectioned. Her mental health team didn't think this was necessary. I think she'll probably get the sleeping tablets that she needs and carers checking on her for a few weeks.

Hi Loki,

had awful indigestion after the gluten free pizza so won’t be rushing to have that again 🙄

Is it half term where you are now?

How is your mum doing? Is it something that has happened recently or did you have to deal with it when you were growing up? My mum suffers from depression and my Dad had PTSD when I was little. I didn’t understand it at the time but it all makes a lot of sense now.

I did cinnamon apple for breakfast this morning, trying to have foods that are good for healing the gut.

Hi Rainbow,

Sorry that the pizza didn't work out. At least you know for next time.

It is half term for me. The special needs centre is shut this week. Worked at a private nursery today. Forgot how tiring toddlers are, especially when there are 18 of them!!

I had my DD's friends round all weekend. We went out for a pub quiz, a meal and art class and I cooked a bolognese. It cost a lot!! I did desperately need the distraction though.

My mum is bipolar. She was always unwell when I was growing up, sometimes even needing to be admitted to hospital. I understand it a lot better now too.

How has your week been so far? Have you had your half term?

My painting

Hi Loki,

how’s the rest of your week been? Have you got plans over the bank holiday weekend? I’ve had family visiting and as ever am finding it a bit intense and overwhelming. I just want my old life back when I could go out and about. It’s lovely of people to visit but it leaves me so drained.

Sending best wishes to your Mum, that sounds like a difficult condition to live with for you all.

What a beautiful painting, you’re so creative.

How is the healthy eating going?

I had a better meeting with the hormone specialist this week, am being recommended a gentler approach of a progesterone cream and to eat 2 portions of cruciferous vegetables a day which is a bit challenging but am going to do my best!

Thanks Rainbow,

The situation with my mum is very difficult. I've been to see her twice this weekend and I'm really struggling. Trying to focus on practical things like helping her with cleaning and lending her money. It's hard knowing that there's not much that I can do.

I want you to be able to get out and about too. Mental health is frustrating, isn't it. I'm the opposite, I really struggle with staying in and can't figure out ways to deal with this even with counselling.

It's really strange but I am more creative when stressed!

The healthy eating isn't going well! I've got too much going on at the moment. How are you doing with eating vegetables? I'm not a big fan of veg!

Will be glad when bank holiday is over. Really struggling with having so much free time. Can't stop crying this morning.

I went for a canal walk on Thursday. Wondered aimlessly around town on Friday and went to my friend's yesterday. So kept busy but desperately need my routine.

How is your bank holiday weekend going?

Hi Loki,

just tried to reply and then it got deleted 😩

how’s your week going? Hope it got better after the bank holiday weekend. It sounded like a wash out and I can relate, I feel like for those of us struggling with anxiety and or neurodiversity, holidays and special occasions can have the opposite effect.

I’m still getting my head around this ADD thing and not sure whether to get it formally diagnosed. I wondered how you felt about it after you had your ASD diagnosed?

Either way, it seems like diet can have a powerful impact. I certainly think that gluten and dairy are not a good mix for
me but I also understand now that having ADD would make it hard for me to stick to a routine with the healthy eating 🤦🏻‍♀️

How is your mum?

Hi Rainbow,

Things got worse before they got better. I got locked out of my flat on Sunday. My phone had run out of charge. I had to buy a new charger and ask if I could charge my phone at the shop near me. Then had to wait 2 hours for my DD to come home.
I'm glad you understand how difficult the holidays are for me. Not many people do.

I had a bit of time off work because I was feeling so low. Managed to get 8 hours sleep yesterday, so feeling better today.

I hope you manage to make a decision about the ADD diagnosis. I was pushed into getting an ASD diagnosis because of the way that I was being treated at my last job. The biggest thing that I got out of it was a better understanding of the way I am and learning to be kind to myself.

Healthy eating is hard to stick to. The hardest part for me is getting started.

I haven't had time to go and see my mum this week. My brother is staying with her for a few days, which means I don't have to worry as much.

Hi Loki,

oh no! Don’t know if it’s any consolation but you are so resourceful in dealing with all these situations although I wish you didn’t have to!

I’m still undecided on seeking an ADD diagnosis, services seem to be overwhelmed with people at the moment but like you say it’s about getting a better understanding and being kinder to yourself.

Hope you felt better after the sleep, I struggle getting started when it comes to healthy eating too. It take a lot of effort, I’ve relied on convenience food today but I’ll have a proper dinner. Got some carrots and cauliflower leftover from last nights dinner which will help.

I tried to make gluten free waffles yesterday but the batter stuck to the waffle maker and it was a bit of a disaster 😩😂

Hi Rainbow,

I don't think I deal with these situations very well at all. My anxiety gets in the way and I can't think clearly. All I had to do was get a new key cut from the broken one. It didn't even occur to me that this was possible.

Sorry your waffles were a disaster. They sound tricky. I still haven't got back on track with the healthy eating. I'm up and down at the moment and struggling with fatigue.

I have done a run with colleagues after work today. Did 2.5km, which was half the run! I ended up walking home and waiting for my colleague to get my coat and bag from work 🤣. Oh well, still feeling proud of myself.

How are you doing?

Hi Loki,

not sure it would have occurred to me either 🙄

Well done on the run! I haven’t done much exercise apart from my therapeutic yoga which I’ll do for a few days in a row then stop and then start again 😂

I’ve had a better day so far food wise, making farinata for lunch with chickpea flour. The trouble for me is I can’t do it all at once so I can do healthy eating or I can keep up to date on studying etc and the housework but not all of it at once 😣

Hi Rainbow,

Therapeutic yoga sounds really good. Do you enjoy doing it?

I've never heard of farinata. You do make some interesting stuff. I'm the same I can focus on work, cooking, exercise or housework but not everything at once. If I try to do it all I end up unwell, then can't do anything.

I've really struggled with sleep the past 2 nights. Especially Tuesday night because I was over tired from the run. I woke up at 2.00am and couldn't get back to sleep! My legs are aching and it hurts to walk. I don't do things gradually, then end up getting things wrong and feeling stupid. I was desperately hoping that running would help me feel less stressed.

I'm sitting out in the sun for a bit. Are you enjoying good weather?

Hi Loki,

Yes I like the therapeutic yoga, its mainly breathing exercises tbh which suits me.

Loved the hot weather but it’s turned to rain here now which is a shame, my
mum is visiting me and she’s been helping me in the garden a bit. We’ve planted some kale.

I can get carried away too when starting anything exercise related, it’s tempting to push ourselves but it’s not always what our body needs. How are you feeling now?

Hi Rainbow,

Glad you've enjoyed the hot weather and done some gardening. The weather was quite disappointing at the weekend. The hottest days are when I'm at work and can't relax and enjoy the sun.

I had a good day at work on Saturday. The special needs centre had been shut for 2 weeks for half term and I felt like I hadn't seen everyone for ages. We did yoga, nerf guns and wheelchair basketball. It was interesting trying to move around in a wheelchair!

I felt a bit low on Sunday. My DD went to her dad's on Saturday to spend father's day with him. I managed to keep busy with housework and doing some short runs on my own. But just felt lost, bored and lonely.

I've been cooking over the past 2 days. Just felt up to it as I haven't felt really tired for a change. I made fishcakes for tea and made a bolognese yesterday.

I'm doing a run with a colleague tomorrow. Hope I find it a bit easier.

Hi Loki,

How are you doing? Hope your run went well, have you done much running before? It’s great that your job at the special needs centre involves being quite active.

I’m sorry you found Father’s Day a bit tough going, I spoke to my Dad but not until the evening. Have been getting on a bit better with him lately. How is your mum?

So I slipped up and had gluten again the last couple of days and today I’ve felt a bit anxious and been having mood swings. It may be PMS but I do still keep
coming back to this link with gluten and then I convince myself I’m imagining it.

I started a hormone cream this month but think it’s too early to tell if it’s made any difference yet. There are so many factors when it comes to mental health, I guess it’ll never be possible to control them all.