Today’s prompt in #Blogtober20 is “She Drives Me Crazy”. Many bloggers are using the prompt to inspire posts on organization, decluttering and mental health. So am I.
I’m not feeling too well today. Yesterday, my inner voices started back up with a vengeance. This led to a mini-crisis in the middle of the night. Today I’m feeling a bit low. It may be to blame on my lack of proper sleep last night, or it might just be a bit of the seasonal blues. I hope not, of course.
Anyway, here are some things I do to cope with mental health issues. Some of these are specific to a certain problem, such as depression or anxiety. Others are more general wellbeing tips.
1. Proper sleep and rest. I’ve noticed that, when I don’t sleep well, my mental health goes downhill rapidly. For this reason, I’m trying to get into a better night-time routine. I still use my computer or phone before bed, which I probably shouldn’t do, but I don’t know what else to do in the evening.
I currently am in the process of trying out a weighted blanket, which really helps with relaxation. I mean, even if I don’t sleep, I do rest more when using this. I also use an app called MyNoise, which allows users to customize various mixes of nature sounds or other sensory-friendly sounds. You can set the individual volume for each sound within the mix and there are about 150 mixes to choose from if you have the paid version (which is a one-time purchase of I believe €10,99). Last night, I ultimately fell asleep listening to a soundscape called Patagonia.
I do usually take one hour-long nap during the day. Most days, if I stick to just that after-lunch nap, I sleep pretty well during the night and still feel refreshed the rest of the day.
2. Sensory-friendly activities. I already mentioned the weighted blanket and the MyNoise soundscapes. In addition, I often diffuse essential oil blends into my diffuser. Just today, some new oils arrived, so I’m excited to try them out soon.
3. Staying active. Today is a bad day weather-wise, as it’s been raining most of the day. Still, I managed to squeeze in a walk in the afternoon. I also made sure to stay active and do something in the morning. I made a soap. This is not physically exerting myself, but it definitely gives me joy.
It helps me to stick to a routine as much as possible. Like, I drink coffee in the morning and afternoon, eat my meals at regular times, and do an activity in the morning and afternoon too. I also usually go for a walk in the evening, but today it was raining and the staff were too busy.
4. Mindfulness. I haven’t practised that today, but I find it can help me stay grounded in the moment. I sometimes try a body scan meditation. I also for one love guided visualizations.
How do you take good care of yourself?
For those who are interested, last April, I participated in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge with the topic of self-care. If you click on the #AtoZChallenge tag in my tag cloud, you’ll find a lot of information.
A Multitude of Musings 
I try to avoid conflict and drama online and off. It majorly upsets me
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Good point indeed! I try to avoid it too.
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I also think sleep is key for better mental health. It may not improve things in any spectacular way in itself but it can definitely mess things up if I don’t get enough of it. I also use sleep as a sort of way of escapism when I’m feeling very low and am able to do it, which is maybe not too healthy a coping strategy but it makes me feel better a lot of the time or at least less bad. I also love to surround myself with friendly sounds before and also during sleep.
All things sensory that I like are also an important self-care tool for me, including Misha’s presence, who always provides me with the most sublime sensory experiences.
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Thanks for commenting. Yes, I do use sleep as a form of escapism too.
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I think your self care strategies are really good. Sleep is so important, I hope the weighted blanket helps you. I love my pillow spray which helps me sleep.
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Oh yes, a pillow spray is a wonderful idea too. And yes, the weighted blanket definitely helps.
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Those all sound really good to us too, especially a good night sleep and keeping active during the day. Hope you’re doing lots better.
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Thanks so much. Yes, I’m doing better. Slept well last night.
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Your self care tips are great. Furthermore, I think sleep is crucial to both physical and mental health.
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It is. Thanks for adding that.
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I want to try a weighted blanket sooo bad but they are so very expensive. It sounds very soothing and I need soothed desperately these days.
Glad you have so much to be positive about. 🙂
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Thank you. Yes, weighted blankets are pretty expensive. Thankfully, my care facility may pay for mine, although if they won’t, I’m probably still buying it myself.
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So sorry you weren’t feeling too great. Sending love and hugs.
It sounds like you have found some great ways to cope. Fantastic advice. x
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Thanks so very much! I’m feeling better now.
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I suck at trying to sleep properly or keeping moving!
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Yes, me too, but I’m trying the best I can.
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Erm trying to stay off my phone and lots of physical exercise helps me out
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That’s awesome! I try to get enough exercise too.
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I like your list. I think I need to get more active. I am going to try. xoxo
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Me too. I do walk a lot, but still I need to do some exercise.
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