5 gifts for someone with depression
Friday, 12 February 2021
Hey readers,
It can be hard to know what to do for someone that you care about who is suffering from depression. I wish there was a magic cure to snap fingers and it would vanish however sadly this is not a readily available option.
That is why sometimes a gift can show you care and that you are thinking of them.
Here are my top 5 gift ideas that would be perfect for someone who is dealing with depression.
1. Bracelet.
2. Weighed blanket.
I can personally tell you as someone who suffers from depression and has a weighted blanket they are amazing and so comforting. They are especially helpful, for when you are feeling scared and in a dark place.
I find the weight gives me comfort and helps me relax my body. Definitely recommend in having one.
3. Sad lamp.
A sad lamp is particularly good during the dark and grey days of winter when it can really impact your mood.
Basically, if you haven't heard of a sad lamp it replicas natural sunlight and triggers the feel-good hormone serotonin.
Studies have shown that sad lamps during short dark days have been able to adjust the circadian system (which regulates sleep and distinguishes day and night) giving you much more needed energy within the day.
4. The 6-minute journal.
This is an excellent idea if you are short of time but still what to paricipate in journalling then this 6-minute journal is the one.
The idea is that it gives the person the opportunity to think of positive things in their lives and things to be thankful for.
The page for the day is split up to 3 minutes morning when it can get you into a motivated mindset for the day.
In the evening there is a 3 minutes section where the focus is on positive things that have happened to the person during the day.
There are also other features in the journal throughout that cover weekly reflections.
It is a great technique to help you think more positive about yourself and what you have achieved. It doesn't have to big occurrences but small achievements should be celebrated.
5. Fun organisation pills.
This is for the pill takers out there (I am one too so no shame). Let's make it fun to take the pills with these fun bright pill dispensers.
They are great because they have a section so if you take medication the day it is easy then to separate the pills so they don't get muddled up.
What do you think of my gift guide for someone who is dealing with depression? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.
Cheers for reading X
Virtual dates for long-distance relationships.
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Hey readers,
It can be difficult if you're in a relationship but are socially distancing from one another.
However, that does not mean you can't go on dates... virtual dates will be your friend and help stay connected with a loved one during the lockdown.
I have some amazing virtual date ideas to get your inspired.
1. Games.
A fun way to spend time together is playing games online and there are many available that are really effective on platforms like Whatsapp. An example of this would be Pictionary and using the Pictionary dictionary play out the word and the other person tries to guess what that word is.
2. Watch something together.
There are many extension that allows you to watch something together and have a chat box is you can chat with one another.
It is a great way to connect with someone and it means less lonely as you doing something with another through technology which is brilliant during the lockdown.
There are a few on the block now obviously there is Teleparty but not fear if you do not have Netflix then there are many alternatives such as Uptime which is designed to watch youtube videos together.
3. Order each other takeaway.
A cute thing to do as a virtual date is to buy each other a meal and be delivered to the person's home.
There are plenty of delivery services that can deliver some amazing food such as Just Eat or Uber Eats.
4. Pancakes vs Waffles.
This a fun game to get to know someone better. Pancakes and Waffles is a game is where you answer questions on your preference between two similar items.
It starts of questions such as pancakes and waffles? You have to choose one however that means the other option is gone from existence.
Then it carries on with similar such as waffles vs chips. It can be lighthearted or deep as it gets you to discuss your reasons why you want something.
5. Walk outdoors.
Now when I say walk outdoors I mean separately but together through WhatsApp or whatever platform you find best to video call one another. It is a fun way to walk with some virtually.
6. Video games.
Of course one of the most obvious ideas of a virtual date would be video games. If you have a Nintendo switch you could play animal crossing or Mario Kart.
Alternatively, you can download a game app that you both enjoy and can play together via the app.
7. Write letters.
A traditional take on a virtual thing to do for your partner is to write a letter and send it to each other.
There is nothing quite like getting a handwritten letter from someone in the post.
8. Work out together.
Why not do a workout class together. There are plenty of personal fitness trainers streaming their workout online during the lockdown.
There are so many different things from dancing to 80s music to doing aerobic classes, the world is your oyster on the internet.
An additional benefit of doing exercise together it keeps you motivated and can encourage you to keep going.
What do you think about these virtual dates? Have you tried any or done anything differently that I haven't mentioned?
Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.
Cheers for reading X
How to stay happy during lockdown
Monday, 8 February 2021
Hey readers,
Lockdown and the whole coronavirus can make you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster with anxiety and uncertainty.
It can be hard to be positive so here are some of my tips to help feel happier during the lockdown.
I am no ray of sunshine, I have depression/anxiety and autism so that can impact me and know first hand it is important to look after your physical and mental health.
These tips that I am going to suggest today are things that I personally incorporate in my life. Not saying it is a walk in the park but small steps have a make a difference.
1. Take one day at a time.
This is a big learning curve during lockdown with all the uncertainty and not having control over a situation.
It can be hard to know how to feel especially when you feel so powerless in such a serious situation that everyone is impacted with.
It is key to take one day at a time because that is realistic during uncertain times. Focus on getting through one day at a time and it may not get easier but to focus on one day at a time can make you feel less anxiety.
The more you practice this idea the easier it gets with time as you are consciously doing it and training your mind to rethink differently.
2. News.
This next recommendation was a biggy for me. I for one was addicted to watching the news channel for hours at a time and searching the internet about the coronavirus.
However, for me reducing the amount especially at night I just what the headlines at 6 pm and don't like at the news after.
Otherwise, this effects my evening and how I sleep. You're not being ignorant just sensible in looking after your mental health, like everything it is all about moderation.
3. Routine.
Establishing a routine to breakdown the feeling of the overwhelmingness of the day ahead. It gives you a structure to manage your time and something to focus on.
4. Talk.
A problem shared is a problem halved. It is important to not dwell on the negativity and let it eat up inside of you.
Talking to someone even though it might not come with a solution can be a relief to get feelings out in the open. Just getting them feelings out in the open and not letting them just circulate in your head can really help.
5. Phase.
I know right now it feels weird to think of this lockdown as a phase but it is temporarily and one day life will be different. Hold on to the mantra and remind yourself often that it is just a phase.
6. You are doing well.
I know it can be hard to think that you are doing well, but you are as your already managing the lockdown.
You can do this and have the belief that you can. You have done two lockdowns before and now you are going through this current lockdown, which is tough but so are you.
What things have helped you manage your mood in a positive way during the lockdown. Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.
Cheers for reading X
How to make banana bread.
Friday, 5 February 2021
Hey readers,
Looking for something to do during lockdown then you have come to the right place.
I have a simple banana cake you can make at home and use up unwanted bananas.
Ingredients.
- * 250g self-raising flour.
- * 1 tsp ground cinnamon.
- * 100g caster sugar.
- * 4 bananas.
- * 1 egg.
- * 75g butter.
- * 1 vanilla pod.
- * 2 tsp demerara sugar.
* pinch of salt.
- Method.
- 1. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Grease and baseline a loaf tin.
2. Peel the bananas and mash up with a fork in a bowl.
3. Sieve the flour, add the pinch of salt, cinnamon and caster sugar in a separate bowl.
4. Make a hole in the centre of the bowl with the flour in and add the banana, egg, butter, vanilla pod (make sure that is chopped up first). Then you need to mix these ingredients so that the texture is of a cake mixture.
5. Spoon the mixture into the bread tin and then sprinkle some demerara sugar on top.
6. Bake for an hour to an hour and 10 minutes in the oven.
7. When taking out the tin leave in on the side to cool down for 10 - 15 minutes before transferring the cake on to a wire rack.
Enjoy,
Cheers for reading X
7 amazing reasons why you should go for a walk.
Monday, 1 February 2021
Hey readers,
I know currently during lockdown gyms closed and with no sign of reopening soon.
I thought I would share the reasons why I think walking is really good for you as a form of excise.
Plus why walking is beneficial especially during the lockdown period.
1. Burns calories.
The good think about walking is exercise and is a good way to burn unwanted calories. Obviously, you won't lose a lot if you walk to the shop around the corner. Aim for a mile or two helps a lot with your health.
2. Strength heart rate.
If you walk at a brisk pace this can help strengthen your heart rate by making it work more therefore increasing the heart rate.
The more you walk over a period of time strengthens the heart as it is a big muscle. So using the heart through walking can make it more efficient bringing more nutrients and oxygen to your organs.
3. Eases back pain.
When you are walking the body produces hormones in particular one called endorphins. This hormone helps decrease your perception of pain.
Walking is especially good with lower back pain so if you suffer then getting walking as it can work wonders.
4. Lift your mood.
Going for a walk even if it is to your local park can have a huge influence on lifting your mood.
Simple things such as getting off the chair, change of scenery, being in nature and getting sunlight can all help make you feel good.
When you are walking for a length the brain produces feel-good hormones called endorphins which make you naturally make you feel good.
5. Alllivate joint pain.
Incorporating walking into your routine can really help with joint pain. Maintaining a regular exercise helps reduce strain on your body and reduces pressure on your back.
6. Free.
Walking is fantastic as anyone can dom, you can do it anywhere. It is free and perfect if you want to do something during the lockdown.
You don't have to walk for hours you could do it for 30-45 minutes but that in itself has a massive positive impact on your overall health.
7. Low-risk injury.
Walking is a brilliant form of exercise because it carries a low risk of injury.
Of course, no exercise is immune to injury however the research tends to show that injuries that occur during walking are low.
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Some of the reasons why you might get injured during walking are because of distraction whether that be on your phone, not looking where you are walking or checking the road for traffic when crossing.
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Some of the reasons why you might get injured during walking are because of distraction whether that be on your phone, not looking where you are walking or checking the road for traffic when crossing.
Another injury resulting in walking is if you do too much in one go could cause ligament injury. The key is to build up your stamina and not go to an extreme.
It is important to find a balance that is challenging but not overworked reducing the element of injury on your body.
Do you like walking? What is your experience of walking? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.
Cheers for reading X
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