Been reflecting on the reality of dealing with anxiety/depression vs. advice on here.

I've had some bad days lately but I spent the last 10yrs learning coping techniques that work for me despite sounding counterproductive - a thread/ramble

#COVID19 #LockdownUK #Anxiety

1) Strict routine helps some, but for me that's too much pressure to be ok/productive at certain times. I take breaks when I'm struggling
unless I have an essential task (meeting, deadline etc), & catch up out of hours if needed. It's ok if your schedule is off during lockdown!

2) I usually think it's great advice to reach out & stay connected, but as soon as my mental health takes a dive I can't cope with this beyond WhatsApping certain people. I would rather make a nest and hide in it until it passes (which it always does). It's ok to need to be alone

3) My main coping technique is distraction. Gentle comedy TV works best for me, but also films, games or a good book. It needs to be easy - to absorb my attention without needing any concentration. Nothing too dark! I fill every waking minute with distraction & wait it out

4) Bcos I need distraction when I feel low, meditative exercises/yoga can make me worse. These don't absorb my attention, & often encourage focus on my body which leads to me noticing every twinge & panicking I'm ill. That's ok. It's about survival, not instagrammable "wellbeing"

5) What's interesting is that if I'm feeling ok, doing the things you're "supposed" to do for wellbeing can lift my mood, but when my mental health gets bad it doesn't help & I go into survival mode, as above. Maybe that's the difference for me between feeling down and being ill?

6) Main points are that everyone is different and it's ok if your coping strategies don't fit in with the stereotypical definition of wellbeing floating around the internet.

Never feel guilty for doing what's best for you to get through a bad day!

#COVID19 #Anxiety