“Announce your pregnancy after 12 weeks.” Continue reading “Why the 12 Week Rule SUCKS (SW: pregnancy loss)”
Why the 12 Week Rule SUCKS (SW: pregnancy loss)
Category: Blog
Breathing Skills
Breathing Skills
I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve heard someone unhappy with the idea of trying to breathe to manage anxiety or stress. It’s usually because what they’ve heard or learnt about breathing is incorrect- which is why it hasn’t helped.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is when you set yourself high standards that are unrealistic or unhelpful, that you must achieve. It is continually striving to achieve these high standards- and often, the goal posts keep moving. Continue reading “Perfectionism”
Body Image
Body Image
So many women struggle with their bodies and how they look. And the worst part is that the research shows that this starts early and tends to last into later life. Can you imagine being unhappy with your body all your life? It can be a confronting prospect to consider.
Trying to recover from depression?
Trying to recover from depression?
It can be surprising that sometimes the simple things can speed up recovery.
Coping with reminders of the floods
Coping with reminders of the floods
It’s raining, and has been for awhile.
Achieving your New Year’s Resolutions
Achieving your New Year’s Resolutions
A research study has examined New Years’ Resolutions, and what helps people achieve them (Oscarsson et al., 2020).
The most popular resolutions were about health, followed by weight loss, and eating habits. Continue reading “Achieving your New Year’s Resolutions”
Women, Mental Health, & Hormones
Women, Mental Health, & Hormones
Women are at higher risk of developing a range of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. One contributor is thought to be hormonal changes, as the risks increase periods of hormonal change. This includes Continue reading “Women, Mental Health, & Hormones”
Recovery from Eating Disorders
Recovery from Eating Disorders
Recovery from disordered eating is possible, although it can feel tough at times. While health professionals can view recovery in terms of symptom remission and reduction, Continue reading “Recovery from Eating Disorders”
Intuition about baby’s gender
Intuition about baby’s gender
When you fall pregnant, it is often a time of speculation about whether you’re having a boy or a girl. You might be excited to find out what you’re having through ultrasound or wait to find out at birth. You get asked what you’re having. And even if you choose not to share this information, people will guess for you. They might do this based on pregnancy symptoms such as carrying high or low, morning sickness, the type of food cravings you’re having, and more. And sometimes, you just know or have a feeling about whether you’re having a boy or girl.
Rethinking the Strong, Independent Woman
Rethinking the Strong, Independent Woman
Thanks to the media, it’s a fairly safe bet that most people can picture what a strong independent woman looks like. Many of us will know someone Continue reading “Rethinking the Strong, Independent Woman”
The Confusing Part about Depression
The Confusing Part about Depression
When you’re physically sick, your body needs rest to fight off germs and heal. You can feel run down, exhausted, or unable to do much when you’re sick, so you don’t. And when you push yourself to do things, it can be draining and make you feel depleted or worse. It’s a pretty simple formula: when you get sick (or injured), you rest to recover/heal.
When you’re depressed, the symptoms can be quite physical too. Feeling lethargic, tired, and like everything is effortful; on top of changes in sleep, eating, and more. So it makes sense that when you feel like you’re physically struggling due to depression, you would rest and do less to recover. And here is the confusing part: if you feel awful and tired because you’re depressed and then take the time to rest or do less, you won’t get better. Resting actually maintains that lack of energy, so that the depression will either worsen or be maintained. The irony is that doing things (particularly physical activity) will improve your energy levels, rather than depleting them.
It can feel overwhelming or too hard to consider doing things, like housework, seeing friends, exercising, or working. So what can you do?
Remind yourself that something is better than nothing, and set small daily goals to kick-start your recovery. For example, if it is too hard to do the dishes: set a timer and just do what you can in 10 minutes, rather than trying to wash all of the dishes. If it feels too hard to exercise, aim small: walk to the end of the street and back, or around the block. If seeing friends is too hard: why not try responding to one or two text messages that have been left unanswered. If it feels too hard to work or study: set a timer again and do what you can in 20 minutes.
When you start doing things, several things happen. One, it improves your energy levels and motivation. Two, you gain momentum- getting started is often the problem, but it gets easier to do more and other things when you do get started. Three, you get opportunities for that low or flat mood to change- and there often is some improvement, even if slight. And finally: you get proof that you’re not useless, worthless or all the other nasty things that your mind is telling you, which also serves to start weakening the depression.
When you’re sick, resting gets you back on track. When you’re depressed, doing things (however small) will help give you the energy and motivation to get back on track. It can be hard work, but well worth doing.