Thankful Thursday - slowing down...

I NEED to slow down!  I also know that the universe has been sending me little covert messages that it is time to take a break, most of which I have ignored, but the time has come for me to give in because I feel like crap.

My head is swimming with information, even though I am writing things down and making lists.  I am tired and forgetful and suffering bad headaches come night time.  Oh, and I am having extreme neck, back and shoulder pain either because of how I slept one night or stress or a combination of both!

My sister-in-law started giving me a massage on Sunday and in her words my shoulders were like rocks!

For the past few weeks, I have either met someone new, had a conversation with someone or found myself in a situation that made me realise I was not heading in the right direction.  Thank you dear Universe for putting these people and situations in my path to help me see where I was really heading - one great big, devasting fall...:(

On Tuesday I had the BEST massage I have had in a long time - btw, every massage I have is the best massage I have had in a long time because it is usually a long time between said massages!

This helped me relax a bit, which is a good start.  I have also gotten some good sleep since the massage because my neck and shoulders aren't in as much pain as they have been the last few weeks!

The Universe, God, Fate, Destiny - whatever you want to call it according to your own personal belief system, is wonderful at sending us signs - we just need to be open to receiving them.  Thankfully I finally opened my eye...

Your in eternal gratitude,

Mummy in Disguise
                                xoxo

Mental Wellnes Tip #2

Get Plenty of Sleep!

Besides exercising (avoiding this one for several reasons!) and eating well, it ’s important to get a good nights sleep, preferably eight hours of un-interrupted sleep.  Sleep is a universal prerequisite to health and happiness. If you are experiencing problems with sleeping, you should seek help.  There are all kinds of simple strategies to help you sleep better: 

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• Make the room darker
• Have a sleep cue or sleep routine
  
• Cut back on caffiene, especially in the afternoon & evening
• Limit Alcohol (don't use it to put you to sleep!)
• Stop trying - relax and try not to  force it
• Reduce your daytime stress and anxiety

Some of these sound easier said than done when in the middle of a major depressive episode, but if you are aware enough of what is happening, then you should be able to do something about it. I wish I could say I was good at this tip, but I am not.  I avoid sleep when I actually need it most.  Which in turn usually sets me up for a fall.  There are times when I can catch myself before it gets bad, but there are times when it is too late....  This is something I am always working on...

Eternally sleepy,

Mummy In Disguise

                                 xoxo

Food for Mood Monday - but late on Tuesday, wait no!! Wednesday!

Aspartame, the evil artificial?

So sorry this is late my friends, I have had more than a little going on this week, well since Friday really and to top it off I think I am coming down with something but I am too scared to stop cos then I think I really WILL get sick!! 

Now I hope I wasn't too preachy about sugar last week, but I can't resist following Sugar up with artificial sweeteners, in particular Aspartame.

There has been A LOT of controversy surrounding Asapartame since the1980's.  As with all foods,

Thankful Thursday...the people around us!

Hello My friends, it's another Thankful Thursday!

I have always been of the opinion that you should surround yourself with people who will help you grow and be the best version of you.  Of course, not everyone in your life can meet this

Mental Wellness Tip #1

No, I won't start with exercise...

Get out into nature!



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There is evidence to show that when you get out into contact with nature, whether it be a pet,

New Series: Food for Mood Monday

"Let your Foods be your medicines, and your medicines your food." Hippocrates c.460 - 377 BC Father of Modern Medicine

Sweet, Sweet Sugar...  

Welcome to the first in the series of Food for Mood Monday.  This is a long one so go get a coffee before you get comfy!

I've said before that there is a direct link between sugar and depression.  After some further research, I think I will reword this to there is a direct link between Mood and blood sugar balance.  However people with depression are especially vulnerable to sugar's evil power.

Let's face it, sugar yeilds quite a strong power over us.  All the good stuff is loaded with sugar - cake, ice cream, custard, tim tams, snakes, red skins... you get my drift!  

Let us give thanks!

Hi all!  I am a little late today, but still as thankful as ever :)

As the clock slowly approached knock off time at work this afternoon I realised that I had forgotten where I had parked my car today - fa-reak out!!!  Was a parking ticket awaiting me on my windscreen?  Would I

Fraud Alert!

Something that has always come up in my sessions either with my GP, counsellor or psychologist has been how much I feel like a fraud.  When I am feeling quite low, I just always feel like a fraud, like I am looking back at someone else, not me, getting things done, achieving...

Can anyone else relate?

Despite the crazy bits...

It's another Thankful Thursday my friends and I can't wait to tell you about my gratitude this week!

It's light and lovely, a little bit cheesy with a dash of frustration and ride in a lift thrown in....

This week I am thankful for (drum roll please!) all of yesterday!  Yes folks, Wednesday - and all that was in it!

Snap Out of it!

"He needs to just snap out of it and get his shit together!  We've all got problems..." She said.

"Well...." pause to gather thoughts, "well, if it is depression he is struggling with, then it isn't that easy..." I said.

"I've got to wonder about that.  He won't help himself, he just keeps going back to the same problem.  I mean, pu-leaze just pull yourself together already."  She finished. 

I just looked back at her in shock.  What, was she looking for me to agree with her?   

Thankfully I didn't have a chance to find out because we were then interrupted by another customer wanting to buy something I didn't have in stock.

What a week...

So this week, I was going to write about the things people say to people with depression....  you know like the ever helpful "Snap out of it!"  You get my point! 

Anyway, all that has gone out the window this week, as did my usual "Thankful Thursday" post...

I will start with "Thankful Thursday".  I have been wracking my brain since yesterday morning and I couldn't think of one single thing I was grateful for this week.  I have had a hard week, I feel completely drained but I still feel blessed (most of the time!) with the life that I have.  There is always something to be grateful for,