Anyone else getting tired of it all?
Discussion
AI1601 said:
With regards to the pandemic; I’ve coped fairly well so far mentally but right now it’s just a sense of bad news after bad news. Case numbers increasing to record levels daily, new strains being identified, hospitals overwhelmed, repeated lockdowns, when will it end? Doesn’t help that we’re in the thick of winter also. Appreciate any tips on how to boost mental health 
Some time ago I just stopped reading, listening or watching the news. This amazing thing happens, you still know what’s going on but nothing changes. When people say to me, “Have you heard about the {insert latest thing}” I say no and we talk about something else.I practise being selectively ignorant and since then I’ve ignored Brexit (I heard we’ve got a deal, don’t care) I’ve ignore the pandemic (Of course I’m still aware of restrictions via local government etc have had tests because of this which is all good) one thing I did end up going on the BBC about was freight rates as this does directly affect me but it’s okay we’ll need to adapt/react. I also very rarely go on social media such as Instagram (that was the one I enjoyed, can’t stand facebook and yes I know they own it) these days as it’s a bit of a drain on resources.
So in summary f
k off the news, it’s crap and will generally ruin your day and also just to confirm the rhetoric is the same as it was in March of course restrictions have changed at times but you don’t need to consume the news to know that. With regards to mental health, a good walk or bike ride, get the heart rate up, get stuck into baking some bread, call an old friend, plan an amazing road trip once you can go on it, clean the house from top to bottom (a really rewarding and tangible task) do some DIY, read a book, binge the whole Sopranos saga again...hopefully something in this helps!
One final thought, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes the tunnel is long but most problems in life have a solution but if we don’t take the first step we don’t move towards happiness.
Best of luck.
Edited to add get the headspace app, helps me fall asleep at night and sometimes they have good focus music etc for working from home.
Edited by WokkaWokka on Saturday 2nd January 20:19
WokkaWokka said:
Some time ago I just stopped reading, listening or watching the news. This amazing thing happens, you still know what’s going on but nothing changes. When people say to me, “Have you heard about the {insert latest thing}” I say no and we talk about something else.
I practise being selectively ignorant and since then I’ve ignored Brexit (I heard we’ve got a deal, don’t care) I’ve ignore the pandemic (Of course I’m still aware of restrictions via local government etc have had tests because of this which is all good) one thing I did end up going on the BBC about was freight rates as this does directly affect me but it’s okay we’ll need to adapt/react. I also very rarely go on social media such as Instagram (that was the one I enjoyed, can’t stand facebook and yes I know they own it) these days as it’s a bit of a drain on resources.
So in summary fk off the news, it’s crap and will generally ruin your day and also just to confirm the rhetoric is the same as it was in March of course restrictions have changed at times but you don’t need to consume the news to know that.
With regards to mental health, a good walk or bike ride, get the heart rate up, get stuck into baking some bread, call an old friend, plan an amazing road trip once you can go on it, clean the house from top to bottom (a really rewarding and tangible task) do some DIY, read a book, binge the whole Sopranos saga again...hopefully something in this helps!
One final thought, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes the tunnel is long but most problems in life have a solution but if we don’t take the first step we don’t move towards happiness.
Best of luck.
Edited to add get the headspace app, helps me fall asleep at night and sometimes they have good focus music etc for working from home.
Thanks for the tips and nice words, hopefully the end of the tunnel arrives sooner than we think. I practise being selectively ignorant and since then I’ve ignored Brexit (I heard we’ve got a deal, don’t care) I’ve ignore the pandemic (Of course I’m still aware of restrictions via local government etc have had tests because of this which is all good) one thing I did end up going on the BBC about was freight rates as this does directly affect me but it’s okay we’ll need to adapt/react. I also very rarely go on social media such as Instagram (that was the one I enjoyed, can’t stand facebook and yes I know they own it) these days as it’s a bit of a drain on resources.
So in summary f
k off the news, it’s crap and will generally ruin your day and also just to confirm the rhetoric is the same as it was in March of course restrictions have changed at times but you don’t need to consume the news to know that. With regards to mental health, a good walk or bike ride, get the heart rate up, get stuck into baking some bread, call an old friend, plan an amazing road trip once you can go on it, clean the house from top to bottom (a really rewarding and tangible task) do some DIY, read a book, binge the whole Sopranos saga again...hopefully something in this helps!
One final thought, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes the tunnel is long but most problems in life have a solution but if we don’t take the first step we don’t move towards happiness.
Best of luck.
Edited to add get the headspace app, helps me fall asleep at night and sometimes they have good focus music etc for working from home.
Edited by WokkaWokka on Saturday 2nd January 20:19
I've struggled: at the start of lockdown I thought it was a nice opportunity to not travel so much and get jobs around the house done. Did a lot of those, fine. Been a new dad this year so it has been great seeing baby devnull at home, but when the wife finished maternity, she needed to go back to work. We had always planned for her to become a full-time mum, but that meant 3 months of me working full-time in my job and looking after the baby. Frankly it was hell on earth - two critical tasks that both needed full attention - that nearly floored me.
Always prided myself on my resiliency and introspection, but there's only so much you can take - and it has been a slow creep this year.
This Christmas has been crap for all of the obvious reasons, but also because my (recently moved in) next door neighbours also don't think any of the restrictions apply to them or their friend group. Walls are pretty thin so hearing them constantly having gatherings next door whilst we have been adhering to the rules has been pretty grating and it has really gotten to me over the holidays. I mentioned it in a previous thread; I didn't want to report them to the police as that's a slippery slope and social cohesion is in tatters lately what this Brexit and now this, but it has gotten to me. I'm going to soundproof the walls in the medium term and buy a detached house like I always should have in the long term.
So, like someone has posted above, I've just cracked on with working out in my garage (thank fk I bought a rower) and using the headspace app, which my workplace has given access to all employees. Also, reading up on Stoicism.
Always prided myself on my resiliency and introspection, but there's only so much you can take - and it has been a slow creep this year.
This Christmas has been crap for all of the obvious reasons, but also because my (recently moved in) next door neighbours also don't think any of the restrictions apply to them or their friend group. Walls are pretty thin so hearing them constantly having gatherings next door whilst we have been adhering to the rules has been pretty grating and it has really gotten to me over the holidays. I mentioned it in a previous thread; I didn't want to report them to the police as that's a slippery slope and social cohesion is in tatters lately what this Brexit and now this, but it has gotten to me. I'm going to soundproof the walls in the medium term and buy a detached house like I always should have in the long term.
So, like someone has posted above, I've just cracked on with working out in my garage (thank f
k I bought a rower) and using the headspace app, which my workplace has given access to all employees. Also, reading up on Stoicism.I understand from the recent announcement that there are going to be a huge amount of mixed responses and opinions. Some people will be angry, others relieved, others anxious, the list could go on.
What’s important is we look out for each other. We all need to get through this. Yes questions do need to be asked on the governments response. Yes transparency is needed. But now is not the time. Now is the time to have each other’s backs, make those calls to check in on friends and family, support loved ones going to work throughout this epidemic and ensure everyone is doing what they can to help the NHS keep fighting for lives.
Stay safe everyone.
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
Victim Support
Phone: 0808 168 9111 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.victimsupport.org
Cruse Bereavement Care
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Alzheimer's Society
Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on weekends)
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Drinkline
A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else's drinking.
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
NSPCC
Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.
Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline)
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Men's Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
FRANK
Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK's live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com/
Family Lives
Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm)
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
Gamblers Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Relate
The UK's largest provider of relationship support.
Website: www.relate.org.uk
NCDV
A free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic abuse and violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.
Phone: 0207 186 8270/0800 970 2070 - Option 1.
Email: office@ncdv.org.uk
Text “NCDV” to 60777 and they will call you back with a safe word.
Riley Blue said:
The BBC has some suggestions that might help: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224
FFS don't start watching BBC TVIt's coronavirus this coronavirus that 24/7
In laws are 82/83, been shielding since last Feb/March time.
FIL ha been out a few times to exercise very early morning and occasionally to the corner shop. MIL rarely steps over the door thresh, watches every news prog and CV19 prog going apparently.
While I feel sorry for my wife who hasn't seen them since February and for my son who hasn't seen them for over 15 months it's them and all the other elderly I feel very sorry for. Imagine knowing you have limited years left on this planet and you are being kept under virtual house arrest....
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Get on the headspace app for some light relief - think it’s free for a month. There’s a dealing with stress course in there that has really helped to try and clear the mind. Just give yourself 10 mins here and there to focus on yourself. It’s basically guided meditation - and it is really starting to help me. Give it a try, not much to lose.
devnull said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Get on the headspace app for some light relief - think it’s free for a month. There’s a dealing with stress course in there that has really helped to try and clear the mind. Just give yourself 10 mins here and there to focus on yourself. It’s basically guided meditation - and it is really starting to help me. Give it a try, not much to lose.
Ignore the news, don't go on social media, those two simple actions will help.
I find I can get stressed out by too much news and too much discussion so I go days not interacting or listening to it. Busy myself listening to music, reading an actual book or even working on the car a bit, cleaning or just busy work to tire me and keep me entertained.
I find I can get stressed out by too much news and too much discussion so I go days not interacting or listening to it. Busy myself listening to music, reading an actual book or even working on the car a bit, cleaning or just busy work to tire me and keep me entertained.
Skyedriver said:
Riley Blue said:
The BBC has some suggestions that might help: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224
FFS don't start watching BBC TVIt's coronavirus this coronavirus that 24/7....
Finding it pretty tough going at the moment I must admit, I was ok until this current lockdown which has really got to me this time, I think because I live in a low infection area with no recent significant increase it has really got to me this time (to put it politely) I had plans next week which weren't a massive event was something to look forward to in all the doom and gloom which have been cancelled yet again. It's my 40th coming up inMarch which I was hoping to do something for which will now likely be in a lockdown, and further forwards I have a trip booked before all this kicked off to take the kids to Euro Disney at Easter which I don't see happening and I have rebooked a trip from last year to go to the ring with some mates for 5 days in May and honestly I don't see that going ahead either.
It's definitely draining at the moment
It's definitely draining at the moment
A few of the responses on here sound like anxiety/depression rather than just feeling a bit low.
In November I had a bit of a meltdown, ended up being prescribed Sertraline, I was reluctant to go on them as I had previously been on them about 10 years ago and didn't think I was bad enough to need them.
Boy was I wrong - I feel massively better, and I now realise I've been spiralling downwards since the end of 2018, and its quite scary how I've been feeling since then with hindsight - felt normal at the time but it certainly wasn't.
Medication might not be the answer for everybody, but don't rule it out. Life is mentally hard at the moment
In November I had a bit of a meltdown, ended up being prescribed Sertraline, I was reluctant to go on them as I had previously been on them about 10 years ago and didn't think I was bad enough to need them.
Boy was I wrong - I feel massively better, and I now realise I've been spiralling downwards since the end of 2018, and its quite scary how I've been feeling since then with hindsight - felt normal at the time but it certainly wasn't.
Medication might not be the answer for everybody, but don't rule it out. Life is mentally hard at the moment
anonymous said:
[redacted]
My suggestion was to talk to you GP but if that is difficult then you might find that you can self refer. More info here I think which explains the options and hopefully find a service that can help you:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depre...
Also, I am making assumptions here but it can be hard to talk to those close to you. Maybe because you fear being judged or maybe because you don't want to burden them. If this is the case think about it. Will the people who love you judge you, or want to help? What is the likelyhood they already know something is wrong and it is already affecting them. Maybe talking to them about it will actually make it easier for them, rather than adding to their own worries?
Skyedriver said:
Riley Blue said:
The BBC has some suggestions that might help: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224
FFS don't start watching BBC TVIt's coronavirus this coronavirus that 24/7
And why not, there has to be some (dark) humour
I think Google or something has infiltrated my phone, everytime I wake up there is another Covid headline on there!
Bloody hell! It says 'See fewer like this' so I hit that and it takes no notice! More s
t when I wake up the next day!To the poster above who said everything is just noise. I completely get that. I’m confident I have Aspergers, I relate strongly to all of the symptoms and it just made sense once I began researching aspergers. One of the symptoms is being sensitive to excessive noise and bright light.
I don’t lead an especially stressful life compared to some, yet at times I find it completely overwhelming. To the point I feel I’m going to properly snap and go off on one big style. The best thing I do to feel a bit better is drive out into the middle of nowhere, and I mean arse end of nowhere, no man made sounds, no artificial light, most importantly no people. I just stand by the car and relax. Even better if it’s a clear night as I love stargazing. It’s almost like recharging a flat battery, just makes me feel a bit closer to normal again for a while. I’d recommend trying it.
I don’t lead an especially stressful life compared to some, yet at times I find it completely overwhelming. To the point I feel I’m going to properly snap and go off on one big style. The best thing I do to feel a bit better is drive out into the middle of nowhere, and I mean arse end of nowhere, no man made sounds, no artificial light, most importantly no people. I just stand by the car and relax. Even better if it’s a clear night as I love stargazing. It’s almost like recharging a flat battery, just makes me feel a bit closer to normal again for a while. I’d recommend trying it.
I hit rock bottom yesterday
I’ve always been pretty robust and managed a stressful job etc with no issues. I come from a single parent family and my mum died when I was quite young so I’m used to being self sufficient
My wife has been undergoing treatment for cancer and was due in for her operation yesterday. I was also due to get notice of redundancy from my job of 26 years. No big deal on the redundancy as I get a decent payoff and I was seeing this as part of moving on from the last few months.
The notice wasn’t served with no timescale for the delay. Normally this wouldn’t have been a big deal but I really struggled with this.
I think leaving my wife in the hospital car park and not being able to support her was playing on my mind. My sons home learning connection wouldn’t work and the redundancy news finished me off.
Sounds nuts now but I spent 2 hours in tears and physically shaking.
Fast forward to my wife’s op. It should have started at 2pm and finished at 5pm. I had to ring numerous times to get an update as there was no call backs as promised and by 8:30 she was out of theatre. My stress levels were high!
In normal times this would have been difficult but we would have been able to do things to distract from the situation rather than being stuck in the house most of the time. We would have had a support network on hand....a chat face to face over a beer with a friend would have made the world of difference. We would have attended appointments together. Seeing my wife break down when she got in the car after being told she had cancer still haunts me.
I’m exercising a lot to distract myself and my son and dog keep me busy but the constant oppression and further lockdown have really hit me hard.
I’ve always been pretty robust and managed a stressful job etc with no issues. I come from a single parent family and my mum died when I was quite young so I’m used to being self sufficient
My wife has been undergoing treatment for cancer and was due in for her operation yesterday. I was also due to get notice of redundancy from my job of 26 years. No big deal on the redundancy as I get a decent payoff and I was seeing this as part of moving on from the last few months.
The notice wasn’t served with no timescale for the delay. Normally this wouldn’t have been a big deal but I really struggled with this.
I think leaving my wife in the hospital car park and not being able to support her was playing on my mind. My sons home learning connection wouldn’t work and the redundancy news finished me off.
Sounds nuts now but I spent 2 hours in tears and physically shaking.
Fast forward to my wife’s op. It should have started at 2pm and finished at 5pm. I had to ring numerous times to get an update as there was no call backs as promised and by 8:30 she was out of theatre. My stress levels were high!
In normal times this would have been difficult but we would have been able to do things to distract from the situation rather than being stuck in the house most of the time. We would have had a support network on hand....a chat face to face over a beer with a friend would have made the world of difference. We would have attended appointments together. Seeing my wife break down when she got in the car after being told she had cancer still haunts me.
I’m exercising a lot to distract myself and my son and dog keep me busy but the constant oppression and further lockdown have really hit me hard.
Thanks PaulG
I’ve talked myself round this morning and I’m back to being more positive.
The thing I find at the moment is I react too much to things and get things way out of perspective. I’m not sure how to stop this though notice it’s linked to some extent a lack of sleep. My sleep is terrible and it’s not great at the best of times.
I genuinely feel for people and I know there are a lot out there who have it far worse than me.
I’ve talked myself round this morning and I’m back to being more positive.
The thing I find at the moment is I react too much to things and get things way out of perspective. I’m not sure how to stop this though notice it’s linked to some extent a lack of sleep. My sleep is terrible and it’s not great at the best of times.
I genuinely feel for people and I know there are a lot out there who have it far worse than me.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff