Every now and then we all need to recharge our batteries. It may be that we have had a traumatic experience, suffered a heartbreak, a financial crisis or a particularly busy period at work. No matter what the cause every now and then we need to take time out to assess our own mental health and protect it.
Surrendering.
The hardest thing about looking after your mental health is realising when you’re heading for a crash and learning to surrender the fight BEFORE the you get caught in the event horizon of the black hole. Once you recognize the danger (and it’s usually at the point where it’s almost too late) you have to act.
Identify your trigger.
March 2019 my back started to hurt again. By October it was so bad I was unable to work full time. In January 2020 I had my 3rd trip to A&E in 10 months, and I have been bed bound since then.
The covid 19 Lockdown has delayed my treatment and at present I’m expecting to remain bed bound until December or January at the earliest. The lockdown didn’t really change my life, in fact it gave me some relief as everyone else was confined to the home too.
Now the lockdown is lifting and everyone is heading out.
Everyone except me.
And the one place I used to find a safe place has become a place filled with hate, intolerance, hypocrisy and lies. Today I closed all my Twitter accounts, because the hate and lies I am seeing is unhealthy.
Time to recharge.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.
unknown
I have realized that I am heading for that place. That dangerous depressive place and I need to stop and look inwards, remove the things that are causing the issue.
To recharge I am going to spend some time doing the things I like, the things that feed my soul.
Intimacy, the power of a hug.
One recognised treatment for reducing the symptoms of a panic attack is a firm hug. To work firm pressure must be applied to large areas of the body, so being held by two people, or one person, firmly, acts on your sympathetic nervous system, the body calms and the attack reduces. I’m not saying this works for everyone, but I know it works for me, and I know it’s worked for a few others. **
In general terms, I find having my hair stroked makes me feel better, well physical contact in general makes me feel better. I think there is something healing about being in the arms of someone who loves you, or even cares or you deeply. Just as a child feels safe and secure in the arms of a parent, I have that same feeling when I am held, and so that is where I retreat to when I need to recharge.
Taking care of me.
At the moment I am listening to books, crocheting soft toys, and taking pictures. I am doing things that make me happy and calm. I will still be reading blogs as I always have but I am staying away from social media and the negativity, I am seeing there.
This does mean that for the next few weeks I may write less, as I focus on my own mental health and recharging my batteries.
If you need someone to talk to I can be contacted using the contact me form.
Sweetgirl x
This post was inspired by two memes, click the names to see more posts linked to the topics. Wicked Wednesday #421 “Surrender‘ and 4 Thoughts or Fiction #152 “Intimacy of Body language.”
** As with all treatments for panic attacks, what works for one may not work for another, all you can do is try things and see if they work for you.
It is important to look after yourself. Hatred is so widespread in this world and is so destructive. Avoiding it and spreading care and love will help you to recharge. Stay safe!
Collaredmichael recently posted…Masturbation
I will certainly try
it certainly is important to care for one self. personally i ignore the negativiy and just delete
Hope your getting the hugs you need and that you get recharged
hugs
I’ve tried to but it is unrelenting and the only thing I can think of is to leave that environment I’m definitely getting mu hugs
Stay positive sweet and do whatever you need to do to come back happier and stronger.
Do what is good for you. I took some time to read a few articles and I am reading a book on how social media works and the unhealthiness of it. It made me decide to drastically reduce my time spent online especially with short form social media like twitter, insta, facebook and so on. It is almost designed to produce outrage and hate because that drives clicks and time spent on the apps. The online world sure changed from when I was very active with blogging (like the 2000s) and it took me by surprise.
It must be difficult because you are stuck at home but maybe you can get a bargain on a macro lens and discover a whole new world around you.
Touch also works for me when my nervous system gets into overdrive.
That sounds like a good idea, right now I’m looking at all possible ways to entertain and distract me.
We all need to do what is good for us to preserve our health. I saw the abyss nearing and knew I had to take action, and the next months will be all about healing. I wish you well, Sweet, and hope the next months pass quickly so you can get the treatment you need and get out again.
~ Marie
Same to you Marie x be well
I can not begin to understand what it must be like for you to be bed bound until next year – already having been there most of this one. When people shout out on twitter “poor me – you’ve hurt my feelings”- I wish they would just pause and think what others are having to live thru – everyone has their own truths and their own causes.
I think u have done the right thing about Twitter – it is vile – I have returned to tie up a few loose ends but that quote above is so true – i keep hoping it will change when all that happens is a different narcissist comes out to play
Stay in touch Sweet xx
May More recently posted…I have a cunt ~ A short existential story
I will May, you have been a good friend and I appreciate that.
I know how difficult all of this is for you sweet and I really feel for you. I wish I could do more to help but some of the things which have happened really have shocked me and I am not sure how to counter them. I think taking time for you and withdrawing into the creative activities which bring you pleasure sounds like a sensible start and please know that I am here for you should you want me ❤️
missy recently posted…Surrender
Thank you Missy, I understand and share your shock. I am also here should you need or want a friend. ❤
You are so right about surrendering. I find that so hard because when you do you know for sure that the bad stuff is going to come now and you have to experience it – though surrendering on beforehand can make it better.
I’m so sorry that your treatment is delayed and that it now feels like you’re left behind a little while everyone else ventures outside. It will come for you too. And when it does it will feel more precious than it will to anyone else and I hope that the joy will make up for it a tiny little bit.
I’m glad that you know of the things you need and are aware of what’s happening to you. Please keep taking care of you and if you need to talk, I’m here.
Thank you ML, I’ll be about, and I will stay in touch ❤
(((hugs))) take care of you, yes I know you have heard it over and over. I am glad you are doing it for yourself. we will be here when you are ready to get back
thank you…. ❤
Hey Sweet – as one of the most caring people I’ve encountered in social media, I am glad you’re extending it to yourself, taking care of your own needs.
Your hobbies sound very soothing, I used to craft until I began to devote so much time to writing. It’s terrible that your back has worsened and your treatment is so delayed. I wish I could wave a magic wand over that to make it better.
Lets aspire to a better future where people get kinder – the lock-down has not had a good impact on people’s MH. Take care of yourself & enjoy Mr H’s hugs – lovely!
Thank you ❤
Take care Sweet. You are a lovely person and I have enjoyed getting to know you through your blog. Also discovering our shared love of photography. I love your teddy bear. I suppose at 67 I’m a bit too old for one but if I were to have one , yours is the one I would have. I will miss you on twitter and ig but I realise what a cruel and bitter place it has become and you are well out of it. Restore your batteries Sweet! And I hope you are able to get the medical help you need so your life can return to normal. All the very best Cousin Pons xx
Cousin Pons recently posted…Sunday in Blackpool
I am still hoping to post to ig and I’ll still be on here just writing a little less often to take the pressure off, if that, makes sense. I have just taken the bear outside and taken some pictures of it in our wild flower bed… it’s just starting to flower. I’m enjoying experimenting with the two lenses and (fingers crossed) think I got some good pictures of the ginger cat with the 55-250 lens.
Oh, I’m so glad you won’t disappear completely. I hope your photos of teddy and the ginger cat turned out well. I take too many photos of my cat. But he always looks so cute. I’d like to start some model photography when the lockdown is over and it is safe to do so.
I don’t think its possible to take too many!
Very true 🙂