Pleasureful

Tag: Mental Health

  • My Top Five Tips for Improving an ‘Off Day’

    We all have those days when we don’t feel like ourselves, some maybe more than others. On these days you may feel down, unmotivated, tired or you might not even understand exactly what it is that you are feeling. Your mind and body probably both tell you to stay in bed, to just call the whole day off. Except this is only going to make you feel worse – trust me. What you need to remember is that it’s okay to have days like this; we all need to take some time to recharge and refresh before we get back into the swing of things. Taking a break from the busy wonder that is the outside world is something we all deserve from time to time. From having experienced my fair share of ‘off days’, I have accumulated a number of things that I know make me feel better personally, so I thought I’d share some of them with you. Please, feel free to take away from this list whatever you think would work for you to get you feeling better on your ‘off days’ too.

     

    1. Make yourself feel clean. Whether you go for a five minute shower, an hour long bath or you go through your whole skincare routine, just get yourself feeling clean and fresh. Get out of your slept-in PJ’s and put on something newly washed. Having a shower or bath will also help you to feel more awake. Making your bed and clearing any clutter in your room can also make you feel cleaner and put your mind at ease.
    2. Make yourself feel as comfortable as possible. No one wants to wear a pair of skin tight jeans when they’re not feeling 100x (unless of course you genuinely think skinny jeans are a comfy item of clothing). Throw on something easy, light and comfortable like your favourite pair of joggers and a baggy t-shirt. If you feel better having your hair out of your face, tie it up. If wearing makeup makes you feel more like yourself, put on your makeup if you know it’ll make you feel that little bit better.
    3. Get moving. You don’t have to do a full blown hour long intensive workout at the gym (unless you feel up for it). Simply going for a run, jog or walk can do wonders. Getting some fresh air and exercise will help you clear your mind and lift your spirits. If you really don’t want to do anything too overwhelming, doing some stretches on your bedroom/living room floor can work too!
    4. Eat well. Take time to make yourself a breakfast that you enjoy but normally don’t have time to or simply can’t be bothered to make. Try to keep what you consume relatively healthy, as junk foods can make you feel even worse, especially on an ‘off day’. But still, don’t be afraid to treat yourself. You could even take yourself to get your favourite coffee if you’re feeling up for going out.
    5. Do something you enjoy. Read a book, watch your favourite TV show/movie, write, draw, paint, hang out with family and friends – anything. Even if you have to force yourself to start doing it, just believe me when I say that when you start your mood will instantly begin to improve and you’ll forget all about that ‘off day’ feeling.

     

    If you really feel as though something is wrong, or you just need to get some things off of your mind, then don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it. Everyone understands what it feels like to feel like everything has just gotten on top of you and you can’t keep up. Always make time to take care of yourself. You are the most important person in your life. Thank you as always for reading!

     

    – S x

  • What Depression Really Feels Like

    I’ve suffered from both depression and anxiety throughout the majority of my teen years. There have been times when both have completely consumed me, times when I feel one more strongly than the other, and times when I may not notice them much at all, but they’ll always be lingering. I’ve been on medication for my mental health for a few months now, and have seen multiple counsellors over the years – facts that I am not ashamed of sharing with others. My struggles with mental health are not something I am ashamed of and feel I should cover up. Talking about these issues is so important, especially when trying to overcome them.

    However, some people out there simply are not able to empathise with or fully understand those who suffer from mental health issues, as they lucky enough to not have experienced first hand what it’s really like to suffer through a mental illness. So, in order to encourage people to talk about and understand mental health, I’m going to tell you, from my experience, what depression really feels like.

    1. Depression feels like drowning. Imagine drowning, but never being able to die. You can’t breathe, you can feel the strain on your lungs as you try and fight against the strong current of the water. You can never quite make it to the surface. You’re just dying for that huge relief of filling your lungs with fresh oxygen. But you just can’t quite make it, and you’re stuck in this trapped, panicked and terrifying state for what feels like forever.

    2. Depression feels like guilt. The overwhelming sense of guilt you get for being depressed is almost unbearable at times. What have I got to be depressed for, right? I’ve got a great family, amazing friends, a steady job, a roof over my head, food in my fridge. I could have it so much worse. How can I be so down all the time? Here’s how – anyone can have depression. It’s an illness, not a choice.

    3. Depression is a ball and chain. It keeps me in bed for hours some days. It stops me from going out and having fun and spending time with the people I love. Even if I manage to get up and out, it’s still there, lingering in the back of my mind. You just have to learn to live with it, to cooperate with it. Show that depression who’s boss.

    4. Depression feels like nothing. I might laugh at that funny video on Facebook and I might be loud and outgoing when I’m with my friends. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still there, inside my head. There are days that I feel nothing. I don’t wanna cry, or laugh. I don’t feel like doing the things I love. It numbs me. And I think that’s one of the scariest feelings of them all, not feeling anything at all.

    I hope this helped some of you understand what it’s like to suffer from this very common mental health issue. For those of you who do suffer from depression, anxiety or any other illness, please know that you’re not on you’re own. You can live with it, it gets so much better. Talk to your parents, your friends, a doctor or a helpline because you should never have to go through it on your own. If you believe someone you know may be suffering in silence, let them know that you are there for them. Lastly, be kind to everyone; always.

    – S x