Feeling low, teary, removed. Natural pick-me-up?

[MabelMay]

Hi All,
I won't go into details as to why I'm feeling this way. Some of you already know my story. I know that basically time and some counselling will help me feel better in the end. But right now I'm really struggling to get through this "festive" period and just to be a good, present, happy mum to my DCs.

Maybe I should be posting in Health, but just wondering if any of you found any natural remedies that have helped you when you've been feeling very teary, depressed, lacking energy...? I don't want to start on the road of ADs as I don't think I need them. I think this is temporary - I hope it is. I just want to stop feeling on the verge of tears all the time.

Sorry to sound so pathetic and hope some of you have some suggestions.
I've tried exercise by the way. It worked a little, temporarily.

Thanks. MMx

Hi MM- I don't know your story but I am very sorry to hear that you are so low.

I recommend that you try to keep the exercise going. So well done for having a go. Is there any possibility of exercising in a social way such as team sport (tennis, badminton or yoga or spin class)? Social interaction combined with exercise can really help.

Do upu have any closeby friend who can jog or power walk with you? Or even train for a 10k?

Have you had your hair done recently? I think that can help with low points altho' I can see that is not a fundamental fix.

Exercise - go for a brisk walk/swim/jog. Regular exercise is recommended in the government (NICE) guidelines for the treatment of mild depression. Hope you feel better soon.

Another little fix is to play music and dance with the children. If you have work to do then music whilst you work is good. I also like Radio 4 or Sports commentary.

Can you get friends over to play and chat?

Rescue Remedy and keeping yourself occupied/distracted. Make a 'happy' cd, all those songs that make you smile/sing along to.

Be kind to yourself. What's your favourite thing to do? Have you got any old hobbies you haven't indulged in a while?

I have moments like these where I feel I am on the verge of losing it entirely. I do a jigsaw or some drawing, knit, something absorbing, and it generally helps. Could be as simple as watching a favourite film, but nothing sad, or just getting a quiet hour with a hot chocolate and a magazine. I don;t know your background so I hope these aren't ridiculous suggestions given your situation, but try and find a little time every day to do something for yourself.

I didn't want ADs either but the doctor did recommend propranalol. I just take one on really bad days to help get me through and it seems to work a treat, means I can sleep then everything seems better. Something to consider maybe?

I take a natural supplement called 5HTP to help me through the times you describe and it works really well. I've also been taking vitamin D too and found this has helped me also. I go out for a walk every day which gives me aa lift, as does a change in my routine, i.e listening to music rather than watching TV.

Just seen you have tried exercise (posting quickly at work). I think it is worth giving it longer and increasing the frequency/intensity. Is there a class you can join locally or a DVD you can do at home, if childcare is a problem?

It's also worth trying to sort out your sleep, if that's an issue. Lots of guidance on the net about sleep hygiene.

Finally it's best to cut down/avoid alcohol if you are low in mood as it can make things worse.

Last post from me as really must work! you might want to google behavioural activation or activity scheduling - simple way to improve your mood by scheduling useful and enjoyable activities into your week.
Good luck!

Activity scheduling:

downloads.bbc.co.uk/headroom/cbt/activity_scheduling.pdf

Online CBT if you want to give it a try (but you will have to pay without a referral):

www.beatingtheblues.co.uk

You could try getselfhelp.co.uk

Get a lightbox. I've just bought one and I feel a million times better. I was at the point where I could barely get out of bed and after a few days I felt great. This is the one I got:

www.amazon.co.uk/SAD-LIGHT-THERAPY-DAYLIGHT-LAMP/dp/B002Y0FU0Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&m=A3RIN8A1VWQPER&s=generic&qid=1293556947&sr=1-3

Another one here for the rescue remedy, helps when my mild agoraphobia kicks in.

St Johns Wort too. but I'm useless at remembering to take them...

Keep up the exercise, and all the above are great ideas too!

-Do one outstanding task from your list of tasks that never get done and then make a nice cup of tea with the news paper/comfy mag.

-A nice jog followed by a long warm shower

Hello All, Sorry - I had to disappear immediately after posting so have only just now had a chance to read through all the responses. I'll print all this out. Thanks, really, to all of you.

I agree exercise can be such a good boost but I have the kids full-time in the holidays so it's a lot harder to grab that "me" exercise time as opposed to splashing in a pool with them or going to the park etc. But once they're back at school/nursery I'll definitely try and do more exercise.

To those who suggested rescue remedy, is this available in any pharmacy?

TDada - all your suggestions great. Friends feel a bit lacking at mo but that's mainly because of the time of year and everyone being away etc. Actually, getting my hair done is a brilliant idea. I'll book one in for new year.

wingandaprayer - is propanalol a sleep aid or a pick-me-up? I am having real problems sleeping, but I've always been an insomniac. Did you have to get your GP to prescribe this?

happydays is 5HTP something you got from a health store? What is it exactly?

Lizzabadger thanks for all those links and tips. I'll defo have a look.

And to whoever suggested a lightbox, I just ordered one! I always struggle in winter anyway so this should be a good investment in the long run too.

I hate being like this with the kids. I'm not alone, by the way. I have a DP; but he is away a lot. I just want to feel more energised and happy for the kids sake, as much as my own. It would be nice to actually "feel" happy rather than act it. I just feel right now that I'm going through the motions of being a mother and partner.

Thank you all.

Agree with trying 5HTP- can buy from health stores. It acts as a serotonin booster.
I've also found inositol helpful.

This site has a good summary of natural remedies www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/remedies/

Exercise and re-establishing sleep patterns are just as important tho.

St John's Wort and B Vitamins are both known to work for low mood and I've used Evening Primrose to settle my hormones in the past when I felt there was an actual imbalance. (post ds) Hope you are feeling better soon.

You'll be raving about your lightbox in a few days time :) I had terrible insomnia as well as the depression and I've found that using it for a couple of hours in the morning has really helped with my sleeping as well. I'm actually properly awake during the day rather than that zombified state you get in when you aren't sleeping which means that I actually get sleepy at night rather than just being so tired that I can't actually sleep.

Here you go, this is the one I use www.healthspan.co.uk/search/?query=5%20HTP
St Johns Wort is good but you can't take it with certain medications or conditions, plus it takes around 3 weeks to start working whereas 5HTP starts almost immediately.

thanks happydays, just ordered it.
thanks other recent posters too - i'll let you know how I feel once I'm sitting there popping the B vits and st john's wort whilst doing a downward dog in front of my lightbox listening to my happy CD!
MMx

Bachs rescue remedy is available in all larger pharmacies. Dunno if it really works or if it's psychological, but it did help me.

They do gum too..

LOL, you will be bouncing off the walls with all these techniques...

Hello Mabel is betablocker and anti anxiety drug I believe. You can take up to 3 a day but I find one enough to reduce anxiety. This in turn allows me to sleep so is secondary benefit IYSWIM

One thought - beware StJohns wart as can affect contraceptive pill.

Speaking of which, how much are your low moods linked to menstrual cycle? I used to be AWFUL for days 14 to 28. Going on the pill changed my life. Seriously.

5htp really helps me too. You may need play around with the dosage to see what works for you though. I take 100mg in the morning and a 100mg in the evening.

Hi I dont know your story but very good advice here
If you want to try Bach Flowers (rescue Remedy) have a read through also the checklist of other synthoms and get also individual flowers (You can also make your mix up to 5 flowers but ask for help. Any "fresh And Wild" (or whatever is call now has very good staff to advice
I have also been recommended Melatonine, I bought it but didnt take (typical) but friends swear by it. It helps in particular for bed time
Could it also follow your period I mean do you feel particularly low at certain time of the month? If so try also Evening Primarose Oil, very old fashion british remedy but I can say that works for me. Used to suffer for severe PMT getting bloated and such and it does help to keep a balance (you can get your GP to prescribe it so it is free/cheaper) as well as Star Flower Oil
Avoid cheese and starch and yest and get plenty of fresh fruit and vegs, make shakes if you find it difficult to have greens regularly

BTW I am printing the page too. It is all good sound common sense but so easy to forget, must put it up next to the mirror in the bathroom (and then remember to look at it)

wingandprayer thanks for st johns wort warning - I am on the pill and I definitely don't want to get pregnant so will steer clear of that one for now. None of the others affect contraceptive pill do they?

I do get particularly low about 5 to 7 days before my period comes. The pill hasn't changed that.

Like you say, beeandson, this is definitely one to print out and keep. Loads of helpful tips. I feel slightly better already just thinking about ways of making me feel better, IYSWIM.

Thanks.