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So, in my last two posts (here and here) I talked about how my mental health has taken a massive nose dive since February, when I relapsed in my recovery. I have been sectioned and admitted to a psychiatric hospital (Lowry Ward - Acute Admission Ward (Newcastle) - CNTW049 - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), restrained, given medical treatment against my will, sedated, and put under the care of the two most advanced, specialist teams in my local mental health NHS Trust (CNTW) – the ‘Step Up team’ and the Crisis Team! So, I really wanted to put together a more positive and useful post…
When your mental health is poorly it can very simply and
understandably be challenging to put any thought into doing the things that
will make you feel better because you can be almost automatically convinced and
100% certain that nothing will help or make even the slightest bit of a
positive difference. However, from doing Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) I have
become more able to recognise the things that I find helpful when my mental
health is deteriorating.
In blogging about these things, however, I actually used to really
struggle with talking about them because I was so worried that I would be
negatively judged for it. I was certain that others – upon finding out that I find
doing things like my make-up and my nails useful – would very likely be
thinking either ‘she can’t be that poorly if something like that can help,’ or
‘how superficial is she?!’ But eventually, I have come to recognise that – on the
whole – it’s beneficial to talk more about the things that help our mental
health because it can actually end up helping someone else. Your thoughts on the
useful activities you do when you’re struggling, can become encouragement for
others to either try them too, or to put more focus and recognition into practicing
or utilising the things they find most beneficial more often.
So, with that hope and goal in mind, I thought I’d put together
this more positive, productive, and helpful piece completely focused on the digital
things that are proving to be beneficial for managing my mental health and for
encouraging me to stay as safe as possible and continue engaging with the
support provided by CNTW…
Favourite
Apps:
For takeaway treats (usually McDonald’s or Pizza): Just
Eat and Uber
Eats
For distraction and a bit of escapism: The Sims
Freeplay
For documenting the relapse through photo and video editing: Moldiv
For mental health: Stay Alive
App - Grassroots Suicide Prevention (prevent-suicide.org.uk)
Retail Therapy:
Valentino
Zip Around Wallet in Pink: £59.00
Multi
Stone Pendent Design in Gold: £13.00
Pimkie
Knee-High Boot: £51.00
NARS
Bronzing Powder: £19.00
Real
Techniques Mini Brush Set: £20.00
Elegant
Touch False Nails: £6.50
Weekend
Collective Sweatshirt: £28.00
Ted
Baker Heart Rock Bracelet: £40.00
Satin
Crab Print Pyjama Set: £28.00
e.l.f
Liquid Eyeshadow: £6.00
Babyliss
Curve and Wave Trio: £75.00
11 Favourite Instagram Accounts:
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1.
For the OG of Online Influencers: Zoë Sugg (@zoesugg) | Instagram
2.
For holidays, food, and activities for children from my best friend:
Sophie Bolam (@sophiebolam) |
Instagram
3.
For details and tips on mental health and the services in my
locality: CNTWNHS (@cntw.nhs) |
Instagram
4.
For toddler/child advice and home improvements from my best
friend: lauren
(@lauren.greenteaplease) | Instagram
5.
For inspirational – and sometimes devastating – reels/video
content: The Dodo (@thedodo) |
Instagram
6.
For luxury fashion and beauty branded content: Victoria Magrath (@victoria) |
Instagram
7.
For content on Bipolar and supporting a loved one with a mental
illness from my best friend: Martin Baker
(@marty_at_gumonmyshoe) | Instagram
8.
For incredibly random, but hilarious talking Parrott video clips(!):
Einstein Talking Texan
Parrot (@einsteinparrot) | Instagram
9.
For all things cat related: Cats Protection 🐈
(@catsprotection) | Instagram
10.
For general mental health information, advice, and support: Mind (@mindcharity) | Instagram
11.
For some beautiful and really cute bunny pics and videos: The Bunnyjackpot Sanctuary
Bunnies 💗 (@bunnyjackpot) | Instagram
Favourites on
Spotify inc Playlists, Albums, & Songs:
Most nostalgic playlist: Top Hits of
2007 | Spotify Playlist
Most emotional song: How to Save a Life
- song and lyrics by The Fray | Spotify
Most favourite Album: Ed Sheeran: + |
Spotify Album
Most uplifting song: I'm Good (Blue) -
song and lyrics by David Guetta | Spotify
Favourite playlist of my own: Party Playlist
- playlist by Aimee Wilson | Spotify
Current stuck-in-my-head song: I'll Be Waiting -
song and lyrics by Cian Ducrot | Spotify
Best Items You Can Buy Online for Self-Soothing:
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Clinique
Cleansing Balm: £11.00
Chunky
Slider Slipper in Peach and Pink: £14.00
UGG
Cable Knit Socks: £25.00
Kitsch
Satin Eye Mask: £14.50
Vera
Wang Princess 30ml: £42.00
Silent
Night Electric Blanket: £30.00
Tisserand
Restore Balance Pulse Point Rollerball: £8.00
Wireless
Over-Ear Headphones: £29.74
Harry
Potter Boxed Set by J K Rowling: £42.65
Lumin
Clarifying Body Wash: £4.80
Vegan
Natural Soy Candle: £15.95
Favourite Buys
on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, & Disney Plus:
Harry
Potter 20th Anniversary – Return to Hogwarts: £13.99
Home
Alone 2: Lost in New York
COMING SOON FAVOURITE: Watch
Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All | Disney+ (disneyplus.com)
Favourite Seasons
on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, & Disney Plus:
Pretty
Little Liars – Season 6: £14.99
The
Hills – Season 1: £24.90
The Best
Online Resources for Mental Health Coping Skills:
21
Therapy Interventions and Techniques to Apply Today (positivepsychology.com)
What
can I do to help myself cope - Mind
Helpful
coping strategies - MindWell (mindwell-leeds.org.uk)
12
Coping Skills to Try the Next Time You’re Feeling Crappy (wondermind.com)
Mental
Health Coping Skills: What, When, and Why — Purple Sky Counseling
11 Favourite
Pinterest Quotes:
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