Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

What drastically changed your mental health

72 replies

Chocolatesaltedballs · 28/08/2023 21:52

Suffering immensely as of late with my mental health. Stress, anxiety, sometimes suicidal thoughts. Currently going to therapy which I have done many times but feel like I’m maybe going around in circles unfortunately. Want to nail it once and for all if that’s even possible.

so may I ask, If you ever felt like i do presently, what did u do to change it for the better?

OP posts:
milkydress · 29/08/2023 00:56

Exercise / cutting out junk food but not dieting / massage / watching comedies instead of gloom / listening to happy music

Fraaahnces · 29/08/2023 00:58

In my case, I had EMDR therapy for C-PTSD. It rapidly desensitized me to most of my previous triggers and now I am ever so much calmer and present. Less anxiety, sleep better, etc

Workingmumchaos · 29/08/2023 01:00

Unbelievably folic acid!

I was having awful anxiety. Turn out my blood/ body was barely functioning.

AnotherdayinMay · 29/08/2023 19:48

Sertraline, walking with the dog, writing in journal, yoga which I’ve recently started.

Eloisedublin123 · 29/08/2023 19:49

Sorry to hear this OP. Antidepressants, exercise, yoga and good diet

Monkeytapper · 29/08/2023 19:50

Joined a gym, started weightlifting, running, do parkrun on Saturdays

bossybloss · 29/08/2023 19:54

Lonzdale34 · 28/08/2023 22:07

Read The Power of Now and A new earth by Eckhart Tolle to help free myself of the grip of my bad thoughts and change my mindset. Truly life changing when your thoughts dont have to make you feel like shit anymore. Watched his YouTube videos too.

Listened to music on YouTube to 'calm the nervous system'

Do reflexology once a month, more if I feel bad.

Drink warm water.

Limit social media completely.

No caffeine, no alcohol.

Regular walks and time with my dog and loved ones.

Gratitude journal.

Accept and feel my emotions eg sadness but remember they are just passing through. Don't be scared of them.

Remove toxic people/ things from my life and set boundaries.

I second reading those books.. life changing. Along with good routines for sleep, nutritious food, exercise daily ( not strenuous.. walks, dancing , yoga) , a supportive group of friends and partner. … oh and medication 💊!

smilesup · 29/08/2023 19:56

Getting my blood sugar sorted as I was on sugar highs and lows all the time. Fucking amazing!

Also
Exercise every day (big mix of walking, gym, and team sports)
Coming off FB and all social media where I know anyone.
Reading before bed.
Yoga Nidra amazing and easy.
Talking to people about feeling suicidal.
Good luck I was rock bottom before and now am sooooo much better 💐

FindingMeno · 29/08/2023 20:53

Prozac.
Bloody brilliant stuff.

Shirazwine · 29/08/2023 20:56

Healthy boundaries

gamerchick · 29/08/2023 21:01

Weight training. Don't need my meds anymore nd haven't not long after I got into it. Cleans up your diet and habits by default.

kizziee · 29/08/2023 22:09

Thank you @PermanentTemporary

NorwayLass · 29/08/2023 22:12

daily exercise first thing in the morning plus very low dose of antidepressants. Game changer.

NorwayLass · 29/08/2023 22:14

Also have blood tests to check for deficiencies

WunWun · 29/08/2023 22:14

Getting a therapist who was actively trying to change my way of thinking and looking at the bigger picture rather than just listening and getting into the silly little details of day to day issues in my life

opalescent · 29/08/2023 22:14

Getting a dog

thisawesomebook · 02/09/2023 14:14

Watching this thread with interest. I'm waiting for some EMDR therapy. Also need to up exercise. Thinking about getting a dog. Going to take a low dose anti-depressant - going to try Setraline again but it made me feel really sick last time.

I do enjoy writing. I love the water and find this has an instant calming effect. Unfortunately, I don't live near the coast as I could spend ages sea gazing. Doing some conservation work helps and being out in nature.

lastminutewednesday · 02/09/2023 14:25

Time (two years after traumatic event I started to feel slightly better) and walking.

Middleagedmom · 02/09/2023 14:26

Nutrition - Giving up alcohol, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet (especially balancing my blood sugars which were all over the place and massively affecting my mood), supplements

Leaving a toxic workplace

Routine on work days - Morning - Yoga + Meditation. Evening - Yoga nidra + Reading + Sleep by 10pm.

Routine on weekends - Spend time with family and friends - don’t isolate myself. Walks in nature - make it a priority as no time during the week due to work

A hobby I love - travelling - I’m always planning my next trip away, researching countries to visit etc

TheBuggerlugs · 02/09/2023 20:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

MeerkatsRule · 02/09/2023 20:49

Medication, then more sleep, finding a therapist who understood me and validated my feelings, cutting the toxic people who were constantly chipping away at me out of my life, then trying to keep myself busy. I then faked I was ok, until one day I woke up and I was ok. I still have bad days, but the good days outweigh the bad.

Seagullchippy · 02/09/2023 20:55

HRT

caramond · 02/09/2023 20:59

Psychoanalytic therapy. And cats.

Purplecatshopaholic · 02/09/2023 22:16

The right meds - tried a few - Sertraline has helped me enormously. Giving up alcohol. Taking control of my life which for me meant divorcing my lying, cheating, gaslighting husband.

Friarclose · 02/09/2023 22:20

My dog. Literally just that. She's a beautiful 2 year old whippet and she's helped me immeasurably. Because of her, I joined a few sighthound groups in the area which led me to new friends. Walking her helps my mental health and not a day goes by that she doesn't make me laugh.

Dogs are the ultimate antidepressant.