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 Loki,

I hope your DD’s return to uni goes ok, does she live there or is it closer to home?

The gut recovery programme involves doing a gluten/dairy/refined sugar free diet and taking supplements. I was feeling really motivated but now it feels a bit overwhelming and I’m stalling. I think it’s because it’s just been such an unsettled couple of weeks, my body doesn’t want any more change!

Hope you’re doing ok after the long weekend. I’m glad you have a more supportive employer now, the irony is that when employers don’t make reasonable adjustments people end up going off sick for longer anyway.

Hi Rainbow,

My DD's uni is close to home. She had a good first day back.

I hope you get your motivation back to do the gut recovery programme. I know what you mean about not wanting any more change.

My boss and colleagues are lovely at both my jobs. As hard as the past few weeks have been, I really don't know what I would do without their support.

I've had a difficult bus journey to and from work today. 2 busses didn't turn up this morning and I just made it on time. 2 busses didn't turn up on the way home and I ended up having to walk part way.

This was stressful enough but then had to deal with my recycling bins when I got home. The previous tenants left them in a right state. The bins were smelly and dirty and full of things that don't belong in recycling bins. It took me 1.5 hours to clean the bin and the dirty milk and pop bottles.

Hi Loki,

How are you? I’ve been feeling a bit anxious but no change there 😂 I’ve not been able to start the gut recovery programme yet, had to stop taking supplements over the weekend so that I could have a blood test this morning.

I’m so glad you have a supportive boss and colleagues, I used to work as part of a team too and I really miss it.

Sorry to hear about the buses, it must be so stressful and well done for sorting the recycling.

I’ve had a funny few days, my sister was diagnosed with ADHD last week and it’s thrown me a bit. I’m questioning whether I should have been so accepting of my own assessment which said that I don’t have it when I was so convinced that I do. It’s all so confusing.

Hi Rainbow,

I have been off work since Friday. I'm getting very little sleep and have been feeling low and anxious.

I cleaned the green recycling bin at the weekend. It had something like a tree trunk that had clearly been left for a very long time. Just the paper bin to do now.

Sorry to hear that you have had a difficult few days. I understand how you feel about the ADHD diagnosis.

I've spent the last few days trying to find a balance between resting and keeping busy. I've been buying a few little things for the house. Went to the library for books. Spotted some brand new jigsaw puzzles in a charity shop yesterday. I started doing one in the evening to tire myself out mentally.

What have you been doing? Hope you can start your gut recovery programme soon.

Hi Loki,

Great idea to do a jigsaw puzzle in the evenings. Sleep makes such a difference to your energy levels and mood and it’s just horrible being awake in the night. How you are settling into the new place? Do you think you’re still adjusting?

I’ve been doing quite a bit of studying and it’s a mixed blessing because the more I learn about the gut brain connection the more things makes sense to me but then sometimes I feel like I am taking in too much information and it makes me feel worse. I think like you finding the right balance of activity and relaxation for my brain is a challenge.

I’ve kept the healthy eating up and I think I’m going to have some food allergy/intolerance testing done to see if I can get some more concrete answers on what foods effect me.

Hi Rainbow,

I'm definitely still adjusting to the move. The house and the area are nice but it takes me a long time to adjust to big changes.

I like reading books on nutrition and self help books on depression and anxiety. Gaining information helps a lot, except for when something hits a bit too close to home, then it can be hard.

Well done on the healthy eating. Hope you get the answers that you are looking for. I'm hoping to get back to keto as soon as possible. I've been walking and cycling. I went to a Zumba class near my new house. It was really good but there were mirrors everywhere and disco lights, which I found quite hard.

Hi Loki,

how’s the rest of your week been? It takes me a long time to adjust too. Yes, I’m all up for self help but it can be triggering too, sometimes I overdo it on trying to fix myself 😫.

Haven’t done Zumba in years, I like the idea of it but it does sound quite full on.

I’m trying to be more organised with my cooking and prep my vegetables the night before, last night I chopped up some carrots, mushrooms and red cabbage so that I can do a stir fry today.

Hi Rainbow,

It's been a slightly better week. Just tiring because I'm still not getting enough sleep.

I've decided to do a games club this year. I don't have anything to plan or prepare, which really helps when I'm having a bad week. I did scrabble with some of the older children. It was good fun.

My DD started doing ballroom dancing on Tuesday. We were going to do it together but when I saw how close I would be to a complete stranger, I chickened out! She absolutely loved it and did really well.

I got some good news today. I've been offered counselling through the NHS and I start sessions tomorrow evening. I'm nervous but happy that the waiting time wasn't as bad as I'd been told it would be.

You have been very organized with prepping food. I'm impressed, wish I had the energy. How has your week been?

Hi Loki,

I’m struggling a bit this week, my anxiety levels have been high again and I feel frustrated but I think I gain a bit in self awareness each time this happens. I’ve started a journal today because I like writing and I want to spend less time on the internet and on my phone!

I’m so pleased that your daughter enjoyed the dancing but yes, there’s not many situations that you will get closer to a stranger than that!

I hope your counselling session went well and that you get someone good.

I’m quite proud of myself this week for not ditching the healthy eating despite feeling stressed. I’ve had a food intolerance test done as well this week although I won’t get the results back for another few days.

Hi Rainbow,

Sorry to hear that you have been struggling this week. Anxiety is frustrating. I find writing therapeutic. I like writing poems.

I'm trying to talk myself into giving ballroom dancing a go. I think it will be really good for me, once I get used to the close contact!

Well done for sticking to the healthy eating. You are doing so well. Let me know the results of your food intolerance test.

Counselling went better than expected. I asked for someone who understands autism and that's exactly what I got. My counsellor has an excellent understanding of autism and adhd. It sounds really odd but I couldn't stop shivering after my session. I think that's good though cos when I have a panic attack I literally can't move. So it's the opposite, if you see what I mean. Getting the bus home was a pain but I'll just have tolerate that.

Hi Loki,

how’s your week going? I like poetry too 😊

Did you give the ballroom dancing a go? Do you watch Strictly? I’ve been watching it the last few years since I had my daughter and it always cheers me up!

I’m really glad you have a counsellor who understands neurodiversity and that makes total sense that you felt shaky, probably a discharging of energy? I’m really interested in the nervous system, it’s an area I’d like to learn more about after my health coach course.

We had a lamb stew for tea tonight with lots of veggies which was good because otherwise I’d only snacked 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi Rainbow,

It's been a crazy week. I had a few really difficult days but lots of good news too.

The day after counselling is really hard for me. Talking about the things I struggle with and my past is quite triggering and draining. So Friday at work is going to be hard while I'm doing counselling.

Saturday started off well. I bought a sofa, shoe rack and ottomans with my summer wage. Then made the mistake of meeting my family at Trafford centre, which I hate with a passion! Not only was it super busy but someone was charging about not watching where they were going and came crashing into me. It really shook me up and I had to go home. I felt really low for the rest of the weekend.

Anyway, the good news is that I have support from an organisation called maximus. They will give me fortnightly, then monthly phone appointments to support me with work. I will need to get back in touch with access to work. They can support me with taxis to and from work and give me 6 sessions with an autism coach.

I found out that I'm entitled to a single person discount for council tax because my DD is at uni.

I've got something for my misophonia called Flare Calmer. I'll let you know if it's any good.

Glad you're cooking is going well. I've felt up to preparing simple meals but nothing healthy yet! Sausages and mash this evening!

Hi Loki,

I hope you’re having a better weekend than last?

That’s such good news about the employment support 😊it all takes so much organising but hopefully the support will be worth it and you really deserve it.

I’ll be interested to hear how you get on with flare calmer, I still get quite bad misophonia too and always put in my headphones and put some music on.

I had the results of my food allergy test and it’s confused me a bit as I didn’t test positive for any food sensitivities which was what I thought I had but did test positive for allergies to wheat, rice, soy, almonds and peanuts. It’s a moderate allergy so not severe but worth me being aware of. I haven’t had the follow up appt with the nutritionist yet but hopefully it will all make sense soon enough!

Thank you Rainbow,

The support will definitely be worth it. I've found myself counting down the days to my next appointment. I'm really struggling at the moment. I guess it shows that it is working and it's support that I definitely need.

My weekend started off well. I got lots of little chores done Friday night and Saturday morning. I even cooked properly for the first time in weeks. I was doing so well that I decided to invite my mum round. This is when it all went horribly wrong. I found out that my mum was manic again. Her forth episode since May. Just talking to her over the phone triggered my IBS off.

I cried on the way to work today and was on the verge of tears when I got to work. Luckily a combination of talking to colleagues and an incredibly hectic day with parents coming in, meant that I somehow managed to get through the day.

That's a lot of moderate allergies. Glad you've got some answers and hope your follow up appointment goes well.

How's your week going. Is you're daughter settled in her class now?

Hi Loki,

How is your weekend going? I’m sorry to hear that your mum is unwell and it’s totally understandable that that has a knock on effect on you.

I had my follow up appointment for the allergy testing and the nutritionist recommended that I avoid those foods, it’s quite a big change and it’s left me a bit anxious about whether it’s the right thing.

Im generally feeling quite anxious and have realised that when my anxiety levels are high I start trying to create routines in a very rigid and unhelpful way and that it’s probably a form of OCD. I guess the first step is recognising that it’s a compulsion and now I have to find a way to break it. I feel anxious but also sort of excited that I might have identified another factor that’s keeping it all going.

Hi Rainbow,

Sorry to hear that you have been feeling anxious. Is it mainly your health causing you anxiety?

I understand what you mean about rigid routines. It's natural to want to do whatever you can to feel better, even if it isn't particularly helpful in the long run.

Things have unfortunately got a lot worse with my mum. I received a message from a relative regarding my mum's health deteriorating. She's got to the point where she can't manage her money, cook or maintain her home. I spent hours trying to get hold of my mum but I wasn't in the right place to give advice. It was very late and I was half asleep.

On a more positive note, my counselling is going really well. I have completed a behaviour management course this week, which was really good. I had an interview yesterday for care work. It is connected to the special needs centre, but I still needed an interview. It went really well and I am looking forward to doing shifts over Christmas.

How is your half term going?

Hi Loki,

how are you doing? How was your half term?

I had a nice time with my daughter and I saw my sister and 2 brothers which was also nice.

I think I’m getting to grips with these food allergies and I’ve now started my gut recovery programme. Also had some further testing to check for some common nutritional deficiencies in people who struggle with their mental health. I’m low in vitamin D and zinc so hopefully increasing those will make me feel a bit better too.

I think my health does cause me a lot of anxiety, I have some quite OCD tendencies and tend to ruminate a lot so I’m trying to nip that in the bud a bit.

Hi Rainbow,

Half term was okay to begin with. I did a training course for 3 days, which kept me really busy. It also meant that I was around colleagues for large parts of the day.

Thursday onwards was just so lonely. I did everything that I could to make the days bearable. I booked a hair appointment and organized a housewarming party. This gave me something to look forward to but I still spent a large part of 3 days without social interaction and ended up feeling low. I'm still struggling today even though I am back in work.

My mum is still unwell. I haven't been upto visiting her but have been kept informed on things by family members. Also found out yesterday that another family member is suffering from psychosis again.

I went to my old Zumba class last night which was lovely. Got ballroom dancing tonight.

Glad you had a good time with your family. Hope you're enjoying your gut recovery programme and start to feel better soon. Low vitamin D can make you feel really tired, achy and affect your mood.

Hi @Lokikitty1,

Hope you’re having a good week. I sent you a private message, let me know if you didn’t get it.