Mental health

[Athena]

Funnily enough, my mental health has actually improved in the last few weeks during Covid-19, as I’ve gotten back in touch with friends I hadn’t been in contact with for a few years. One friend’s letter to me inspired me to get back into the art of letter writing and I’ve sent 4 letters in the past week.

That's a great thing! And for me too, I got back in touch with some people, including here on Buffy Boards.... so COVID's not been all bad..... 👍

 

[nightshade]

One friend’s letter to me inspired me to get back into the art of letter writing and I’ve sent 4 letters in the past week.

That's something I do anyway, I have several cards ready to post, when I get the chance to go to the post office.

I think it's worse now for me as I have gone from doing not nothing, but while I've been busy for the 3 months off, it wasn't working 6 days a week, getting back into a routine busy. I'm also feeling like, well I went and helped everyone during the lockdown, but now I need time to help myself.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Guess I'll add my own little complaint...

As I'm sure most of you are well aware, my company was one of those that stayed open. Not only were we open, but we've been busier than usual. The store usually starts slowing down during summer, but this year has remained busy. It's only started to slow down this last week. So not only did we not get a 6 week sabbatical like many in this state, but we've been working 4-5 days, instead of the usual 3-4 days. So between the whole covid nonsense, being krazy busy at work , and working extra hours/days, I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed. I mean this is summer break, and I'm usually working less days. This is the time of year when I'm out having fun, and recharging the batteries, so to speak. Not working all hours, then just going straight home, and then staying in like a hermit on my few off days. I know the state has mostly 'opened back up', but the theaters, and clubs are still closed. Also the places that are open have lots of restrictions.

#covidsucks! 😩

 

[Skanky Vamp]

my company was one of those that stayed open. Not only were we open, but we've been busier than usual ... not only did we not get a 6 week sabbatical like many in this state ... between the whole covid nonsense, being krazy busy at work , and working extra hours/days

Yeah, I think for the people working it's been really hard as well. When the bug first hit I was glad I would be able to work, but man, it really does affect your mental well-being after a time. I think those not working has/had it easier as they can shut themselves off and compartmentalize it. Whereas we, or at least I, hear about it all the time.

I used to go to work to escape and for peace and tranquility. That's not the case anymore.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

My mental health is rather wonky at the moment. Going to work has become an exercise in masochism. I'm bipolar, yet (up until now) have managed to control the more unpleasant aspects of this condition without medication for years. My decision to take this job was just for some extra pocket money; but after the whole CORVID-19 situation, everything turned topsy turvy. Like @Spanky said, I also believe that those who get to stay home have it MUCH easier than those of us who are thrust into the bottomless pit of human interaction.

Because we work, we CAN'T hide; we crawl into bed at night, curl into a fetal position, and lick our emotional wounds, knowing that the cycle will repeat itself again and again, and again. I can DEFINITELY feel your pain, @HowiMetdaSlayer! What happened to our lives?! Its summer, and we should be hanging out and having fun! Instead, we're voluntarily subjecting ourselves to SHEER HELL for a few lousy bucks.

My main problem right now is that I don't feel like I have a "safe space" anymore. Getting home from work used to be such a relief! I could relax, recharge, and recover. But now, the couple next door (and my sister on the other side) have suddenly began complaining about my smoking AND music. Normally, I'd just ignore it, but the couple (mostly the husband) has apparently decided to make this some sort of personal mission or something. He feels that because HE has to work from home, Ishould now change MY habits. All I'll say is this...he doesn't realise how bad things could get for him. I'm stressed out, sleep-deprived, on edge, frequently in pain...well, you get the idea.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Thought you said that you were taking some kind of medication? 😵
I've been told that I might benefit from some sort of anxiety meds. 😳

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Thought you said that you were taking some kind of medication? 😵
I've been told that I might benefit from some sort of anxiety meds. 😳

Neurontin isn't specifically prescribed for bipolar disorder...but I use it to level out my moods. This is called "off-label" use. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. *shrugs* If I'm feeling super wacko/angry, it isn't as effective.

If you're prescribed an antianxiety medication, STAY AWAY from Xanax. Its highly addictive....for example, your doctor could give you some, and you might take one or two milligrams...anxiety gone! But it has a very short half-life, and the minute it leaves your body you can be thrown into withdrawal. Yes, that quickly. Valium is much less addictive, and possibly Ativan. But, they're also benzodiazepines, so...


I'm no doctor, obviously. But I still urge you to avoid Xanax. If your doctor suggests an antianxiety medication, ask him if he could give you something that's NOT a benzodiazepine. Its just TOO EASY to get hooked, especially if you're already stressed out. (They work fast, which is why they're so seductive to so many people)

 

[POTN]

I always struggle with balance. Health, wellness, self-care, socializing, work, relaxation. Especially when finishing a project. I have like a half-track mind so doing ONE thing well can be tough. Let alone remembering to eat well, exercise, spend some time unwinding, and get plenty of sleep. And I'm high-anxiety neurotic ADD type. Since March, circumstances have just put a magnifying glass on my ability to manage that balance. Sometimes I can maintain it. Sometimes it topples. I suppose I think about how I was two years ago or four and I see progress so that needs to be enough.

Weirdly though, since March I have noticed some positive improvements that a few people mentioned observed in this thread. I'm spending more time with certain friends that I just wasn't before, albeit during scheduled movie watching sit down sessions on Zoom/Skype/Discord. I feel like there is evidence among the people I know of a lot of us reaching for some joy and comfort right now. When the world around feels okay, it's easy to be complacent about starting to run/date/read/eat-better tomorrow. But when the general state is just all around persistently stressful, it seems like a lot of people I know are getting on some of those things finally (myself included) to find some relief.

 

[Fuffy]

My mental health was rocky in the beginning, but has overall improved since Coronavirus entered our lives.

With no big gatherings or family dinners to attend, I feel more calm and balanced as loud events with lots of people drain me out, needless to say that I don't miss them.

I'm also not a hugger so the "no hugging" rule is a dream come true.
I really miss high fives and fist bumbs though, but can live without them as the elbow bump is a nice alternative.

During normal times, I am rather quiet and don't say much unless I feel comfortable around the people or it's a subject that I like discussing, didn't realize how much I use hand gestures (such as a thumbs up or the OK hand sign) over talking until I started using Zoom...

 

[NeddaSai]

Just in case this helps someone. Nothing revolutionary but still nice to watch.

 

[Taake]

I was doing so poorly in the beginning, but thankful I am doing much better now. This pandemic has been very challenging though. I’m glad to see many are not just coping but maybe even thriving in all of this 😊

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

I was doing so poorly in the beginning, but thankful I am doing much better now. This pandemic has been very challenging though. I’m glad to see many are not just coping but maybe even thriving in all of this 😊

You're so lucky to live in such beautiful surroundings. Like @nightshade and everyone else who doesn't have too many neighbours...
😘

 

[nightshade]

I feel like I'm doing a bit better this week, had a few things happen that have helped. However the compulsory mask wearing is not something I'm looking forward to.

 

[Athena]

One thing I have felt bad about, is the fact I've eaten a bit during lockdown and put on a few lbs.... so rather than wallow I'm doing something about it. I've started jogging at lunchtime while I'm WFH and I'm not overdoing it, just trying to go a little further and longer each day.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

the fact I've eaten a bit during lockdown

Upon first read, I thought you had said you had eaten a drill bit. My brain really needs to stop reading ahead of my eyes. I hate when I do that; read in clumps of words where you see the first and the last and make up the middle.

 

[Nix]

I've been stagnating, then improved, now sliding. Pff sigh. Feel like poop this afternoon now.

 

[nightshade]

The mask wearing IS annoying af but bright side is it gives us personal privacy. I'm growing to like this.

It's not that it's annoying, I feel like I can't breathe in them, at the moment I don't have to wear one at work, but I'm sure they'll close that loophole soon.

 

[Fuffy]

You get used to the mask, but you sweat in them like crazy...

 

[Ethan Reigns]

My daughter and son-in-law got tested on Monday and were both cleared today. Things are looking up, so maybe the astrological month of Leo (which starts today) will work out well.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

It's not that it's annoying, I feel like I can't breathe in them, at the moment I don't have to wear one at work, but I'm sure they'll close that loophole soon.

It's annoying for me because I wear lipstick. I used to spend 20 minutes applying the lip liner, then matte colour, and creamy colour on top of that....then top it off with lots of gloss on the bottom lip. I have at least 30 tubes of lipstick, and masses of lip pencils/lip gloss. Some of my lip glosses have sparkly bits in them. *sigh* And now that we're supposed to wear a mask when entering ANY business....no one gets to see my perfect, porno lips.

Lack of oxygen is a major issue with masks, and if you're claustrophobic as well...its torture. But if you're like me, and have to work a fast-paced, exhausting job in a bloody mask, you learn to endure it.

Oh!! Like I mentioned before, one of the things I DO like about the mask (when I'm off work and only wearing it for a very short time!) is the privacy it gives you. Wearing a mask with a pair of shades is the ultimate disguise. No one can see the expressions on your face. 😈 And in my case, that's DEFINITELY a good thing.

You get used to the mask, but you sweat in them like crazy...

I know. Do you wear it for an extended time?