What are you doing for your mental health?

I’ve relied heavily on my family and friends to help me cope with the roller coaster of emotions I’ve been feeling.  They do help me stay level . It is so therapeutic surrounding myself with laughter and those that I love. There’s been some very sad days and good people around me help me to see that there is light and hope.

I’ve also accepted that I need a bit more time than I initially allowed myself before returning to work in a demanding role . I’m trying to be kind to me right now. I tell myself recovery IS my job right now . 

@Kmakm. Hi. Probably should've gone to the recovery emotions thread.  Julie

Hi @sister @iserbrown. Same - I've also had 5 years of stress, and do also believe it's been part of my diagnosis.  Wasn't anything I could control but was my life at the time. I went to doctor's to get help with anxiety and depression but they kept sending me off to mindfulness sessions, at the time I thought -OK better than drugs.  Finally saw one who gave me antidepressants and Valium.  Instant relief.  

Probably because I was now so relaxed (problems almost gone as well) that the cancer thought my time to shine. 

Needless to say I'm now reflecting on what happened, what and how to now move forward.  In a good spot at almost 60, retired, two grandkids, lovely home.   In a country that has given me free treatment, and bonus, reconstruction.  Time to do something for me now. But what?  So the next two treatments for better or worse will be a time of reflection and plan hopefully on the next stage of life. J

hahahaha  I can SO relate to your story, @Brenda5 .... some years back, after leaving work, I actually reported to the police that my car had been stolen as I couldn't find it!   What I'd forgotten was that I'd arrived at work late & didn't get my 'usual spot' ..... and the car was actually parked in the next street - which I finally remembered!!  HOW EMBARRASSING!

Re getting lost - Hubby & I have a 'secret whistle' if we are separated at airports, train stations or shopping centres .... I do the loud whistle & put my hand in the air .... if he hears it - he looks for the hand in the air .... It works a treat!  ;)  

Exercise is my go to as well, plus my embroidery, gardening, walking our dog. If the thought gremlins get too much i envisage a dark room with an open box in front of a window and pile all the those thoughts in that box, close it, tape it shut and kick it it out the window. It works for me and the gremlins really only happen at night or on long drives.

For my mental health I come on this bnca forum of course! Stuff never seems so bad when its shared with cyber friends.
I avoid stress as much as possible now and try to enjoy mother nature more. 
A good laugh with someone, even a complete stranger does wonders.

Little story, the other day I was looking for my hubby in the shopping center where I misplaced him and thought maybe he was out in the car park in the car. Well, remembering where he had parked the car ended up with me walking up and down aisles of cars. A lady about my age came up to me and said, "you look like you've lost your car too. Nice to see someone else has the same trouble." We walked along together and eventually I found our car but hubby wasn't in it. She was elated one of us had found our cars. When I said, "now all I have to do is find where my hubby has gone off to." She burst out laughing, which was infectious. She said she just needed a good laugh and continued on her car searching journey. 

I firmly believe that stress brought my cancer on and reading your post @sister it would seem that is a common denominator for some of us.

Deep breath, pat yourself down.  

I started this thread as I thought the question was relevant to us all.  We find our tolerance levels vary and we can crack it over something minute. For some the parental role reverses and becomes a pressure that is difficult to bare; recognise that as we have been through, we sailed through but one of my sister-in-laws couldn't cope.  Sadly of our four parents we only have one left.

Time out, whether it be a cuppa on the verandah, a walk around the garden at home or further afield, if time and energy permits, or a hobby that has sat in the background as we spend all our energy on others.

My brother went through unresolved trauma and was encouraged to find his hobby and it has worked a treat as it is something he looks forward to, last Sunday of the month and prep work in between.

Take care and find time for yourselves

Sending a virtual hug, even though one of my Ex-med cancer buddies has said the one thing she can't cope with is the desire of people that she hardly knows wanting to give her a hug!

A bit of a crappy week, last week with other family members' problems and moods.  I could feel my stress and anxiety levels building, much as they had for so long pre-diagnosis (I've had anxiety this year but it's been about me and feels completely different).  On a couple of occasions when things got really bad, I actually visualised pushing the mass of stress out of me.  It didn't work completely but it did calm me down somewhat.  As I'm firmly convinced, with no scientific evidence whatsoever, that nearly 4 years of major stress and anxiety brought this cancer on, I WILL NOT allow it to happen again.

Exercise is my go to!