When I was deep in depression an overactive mind at night used to haunt me at night. I fretted constantly about the dread of tomorrow or all the failures I'd racked up in life. I was unsettled mentally which could often lead to endless cycle of have sleep disturbance and always feeling tired. These days it's so much better. Sleep hygiene is vital, to help me achieve this I … [Read more...]
How switching off can help your mental health
I am writing this out of a twisted form of serendipity. My smartphone has a defective screen, a pink vertical line going down its right side. I needed to put the phone in a parcel and ship to back to the company for repair; as none of my older back up phoned hosts a micro sim, I am phoneless. Suddenly, my all-important digital girl Friday abandoned me. The omnipresent … [Read more...]
How Writing Beats Depression
A little musing today. I was reflecting that depression often causes problems of expression. Pent up feelings and thoughts just don't know how to get out into the world. I remember working with a homeless man with a drug dependence issue. In spite of bagging a recent job, he went on a drug binge. He fell into a deep depression and just couldn't seem to get out of it. He was … [Read more...]
How Travel Beats Depression
Two years ago my wife and I made a decision to save a substantial amount and in lieu of a conventional mortgage down payment, opted for an action packed two year odyssey overseas. For me this was a bold decision. Prior to the epic journey my travels were safely contained within annual leave. I used go overseas with my mind half in the new place and half worrying about things … [Read more...]
How To Boost Your Mood
Depression is clinically categorised as a "mood disorder". The problem with most types of depression is chronic and persistent low mood, or with bipolar it sometimes combines feeling too low with feeling too high and elated. Feeling utterly flat, useless with no defined feelings is part of depression. When trying to describe it people use the terms like 'emptiness', … [Read more...]