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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

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

58 replies

MabelMay · 29/12/2010 11:05

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

OP posts:
LittleMissHootsMon · 29/12/2010 22:05

St Johns Wort also should not be taken in the first trimester as can hamper egg implantation

JetLi · 29/12/2010 22:30

Berocca gives me a boost. Fresh air/brisk walk works as a mood lifter for me. Inhaling zingy, uplifting aromatherapy oils like grapefruit, lemon, bergamot. No alcohol or caffeine after 6pm for a decent nights sleep. Dry body brushing to get the blood moving, before a nice soak in the bath. I also think St. Johns Wort is pretty good. Try juicing maybe? Stay off the crappy food for a bit (I'm craving sharp, spicy Thai salads & fresh fruit due to surfeit of cheese/mince pies/general festive overload). Bit of yoga is always good - even if it's just the breathing bits.

RockChick1984 · 29/12/2010 22:54

I agree about rescue remedy, I've also used the rescue remedy night an it really helped me sleep. Have u tried something like getting a massage or reflexology? Usually works wonders for my moods. Xxx

TDada · 29/12/2010 23:22

MM- had a game of tennis today and you flashed up in mind....how are you at present? Shame that you are a Prince fan (?) cos his music is bound to get you uo and running.

If your head is full of negative things then it is worth sitting and writing out all the things that are good about life at present...I mean very basic things like: delightful children, somewhere to live, ....things that really matter.

TDada · 29/12/2010 23:23

should be ......shame that you aren't are a Prince fan?

malinkey · 30/12/2010 16:06

MM - hope you're ok. I've just read this thread with interest, have ordered the 5HTP and am going to try and take some of the other advice on board!

Also, I wondered if you'd ever tried listening to a relaxation CD? This is something that's worked for me in the past when I'm feeling wrung out and I'm going to have another go at that. I always used to fall asleep when I was listening to it - not sure if you're meant to - but it did seem to help lift my mood.

I also read the nomorepanic website and found it really useful to read some of the symptoms of anxiety (don't know if this affects you?) but sometimes I feel like I'm going a bit mad and just reading about how some of the symptoms are quite common and are just caused by an overactive nervous system made me feel loads better!

Good luck.

HappyDaysAreHereAgain · 30/12/2010 21:24

Can I just add that the 5HTP helps me with PMT too, I don't suffer from it at all when taking the supplement Smile

fizzfiend · 30/12/2010 23:29

Have tried ADs and only needed them for a short while...maybe it was a placebo effect but it turned me round from a blubbing mess at the drs to normal me.

Have also tried st johns wort which really seemed to work too...and immediately for me...it really did.

But exercise is brilliant. Push yourself until you can't do any more. When I am on running machine I remember saying I was going to die if I didn't stop and my trainer saying that if he had a gun to my head, would I be able to go further...er yes is the answer! A serious workout will give you a rush, make you feel good about yourself, send endorphins racing your body. After a good shower, you will feel so good.

Also, try something that will make you laugh. My dd has a face that she always uses to make me laugh when I'm down. Or we trawl youtube together for utterly silly stuff and giggle til we almost pee our pants.

GL..there is light at the end of the tunnel. I felt like throwing myself under a bus in the summer and now I love my life. Not much changed...just my attitude and determination to be a cheerful mummy to my dd.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/12/2010 23:34

I see that someone else has mentioned St John's Wort; it's very good.

I'd happily recommend 'Berocca'; it's high dose multi-vits and whilst it isn't going to give you any numbing of the pain, it would certainly replenish and nourish your body in the meantime, whilst you're dealing with all this carp.

You sound as if you're at a really low ebb and a cold or flu would be the last thing that you need.

Hoping that things really pick up for you very soon.

TDada · 31/12/2010 12:14

fizzfriend - yes exercising at the limit followed by a shower is truly uplifting. Even if you do long gentle jog, try sprinting the last few hundred metres. Even better, try interval running: fast then slow fast then slow.

Wordweaver · 31/12/2010 13:34

Hello Mabel, just saw this thread - people have suggested some great things and I hope that they help. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the light box.

My suggestion would be to visit a homeopath - I went through a bad time once several years ago, which I knew would be short-term. I found the homeopath really helpful - he asked me about my life and my dreams to try to get a more holistic view of what was wrong. I don't know if it was the tablets he gave me or just the fact that I was trying something new, but it did help. Also, of course, you can't have things like coffee when you're taking homeopathic medicine and that probably helped my mood!

Hope you have a happy start to 2011 and that it is a positive year for you.

x

shodatin · 01/01/2011 00:00

Some good ideas here. Confirm Berocca helps but St.J'sWort gave me indigestion. Only extra tips I can add are putting few drops of lavendar oil on pillow before sleep, and try to always have something to look forward to.Happy New Year to all ! (12 now)

AuldLangMammaries · 01/01/2011 00:11

lots of random sex

SurreyAmazon · 01/01/2011 08:21

I have to agree that Berocca is wonderful (Alot of people swear by drinking it last thing at night after a heavy drinking session and waking up the next morning without a hangover)!

I also strongly recommend B12 taken sub-lingually for energy and to put me in a cheerful mood. You can purchase it from H& B. The other product that I swear by to keep the blues away is raw, organic coconut oil. It also keeps the weight off, and my skin glows 365 days a year because of it. The best way to take it is via a smoothie, or I add 2 tablespoons to a cup of hot chocolate (you can't taste the grease this way.

Hope this helps,

SA

TDada · 01/01/2011 08:38

Coconut oil is an interesting one SurreyAmazon. How did you find it? At school in the tropics poorer kids used unrefined version on their hair/skin and it didn't smell too nice.

Do you know what the majic ingredient is?

TDada · 01/01/2011 08:38

magic majic

SurreyAmazon · 01/01/2011 08:53

@ TDada - I complimented someone once on their amazing skin and she told me it was all down to unrefined raw coconut oil.

The key element is the fatty acid structure of the oil. This site explains how www.coconut-connections.com/res2.htm

Have you tried it before?

Ps - If anyone does decide to try it, please give it atleast 2 weeks to see the full results. Most common effects are usually a much flatter belly and lots of energy!

SA

SuePurblybiltbyElves · 01/01/2011 09:33

Where do you buy it Surreyamazon? Do you know a reliable site online?

SurreyAmazon · 01/01/2011 10:26

@ SuePurblybiltbyElves - I buy the Biona one, and have also heard the great feedback about Nutiva. However, any brand will do (best place to buy is from a health food shop) as long as it states that it is raw, cold pressed, organic, unrefined coconut oil. Anything less will only lead to undesirable effects (weight gain) or no effects at all.

Hope that helps.

SA

SurreyAmazon · 01/01/2011 10:30

Where to buy Nutiva

wannabefree · 01/01/2011 16:27

SA- you've got me wanting to try coconut oil! Do you take it everyday, and how much do you use at a time? How many calories are in it?

Original poster
MabelMay · 01/01/2011 17:00

Hey am in no Internet place logging on for literally one min. So many good things here. Will write properly when i can in a few days. Wordweaver wkd love to update you soon. You prob can guess part of why feel so grim. Love sound of coconut oil effects! Mmx

OP posts:
SurreyAmazon · 01/01/2011 22:14

@ Wannabefree - I checked the label and it says 857 calories per 100 g.

I take 2 tablespoons everyday in a cup of hot chocolate (sometimes I space it out and take a tablespoon in the morning and evening). Some much braver souls (with no gag reflex) eat the coconut oil and then chase it down with water, juice etc. I tried it, never again!

Ps - Another tip, don't be tempted to buy coconut capsules; you would need to swallow about 20 of them in a day to get the recommended dose.

SA

jellyrolly · 01/01/2011 22:27

Some great advice on here. I wanted to add, I took a homeopathic remedy called China when I was bfing as didn't want ADs. I don't know that much about it and I think you are supposed to see a homeopath but it helped me. Helped to combat exhaustion as much as depression. Good luck x

wannabefree · 01/01/2011 23:16

Just ordered it SA!