Been reflecting on the reality of dealing with anxiety/depression vs. advice on here.

I& #39;ve had some bad days lately but I spent the last 10yrs learning coping techniques that work for me despite sounding counterproductive - a thread/ramblehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)">

#COVID19 #LockdownUK #Anxiety

1) Strict routine helps some, but for me that& #39;s too much pressure to be ok/productive at certain times. I take breaks when I& #39;m struggling
unless I have an essential task (meeting, deadline etc), & catch up out of hours if needed. It& #39;s ok if your schedule is off during lockdown!

2) I usually think it& #39;s great advice to reach out & stay connected, but as soon as my mental health takes a dive I can& #39;t cope with this beyond WhatsApping certain people. I would rather make a nest and hide in it until it passes (which it always does). It& #39;s ok to need to be alone

3) My main coping technique is distraction. Gentle comedy TV works best for me, but also films, games or a good book. It needs to be easy - to absorb my attention without needing any concentration. Nothing too dark! I fill every waking minute with distraction & wait it out

4) Bcos I need distraction when I feel low, meditative exercises/yoga can make me worse. These don& #39;t absorb my attention, & often encourage focus on my body which leads to me noticing every twinge & panicking I& #39;m ill. That& #39;s ok. It& #39;s about survival, not instagrammable "wellbeing"

5) What& #39;s interesting is that if I& #39;m feeling ok, doing the things you& #39;re "supposed" to do for wellbeing can lift my mood, but when my mental health gets bad it doesn& #39;t help & I go into survival mode, as above. Maybe that& #39;s the difference for me between feeling down and being ill?

6) Main points are that everyone is different and it& #39;s ok if your coping strategies don& #39;t fit in with the stereotypical definition of wellbeing floating around the internet.

Never feel guilty for doing what& #39;s best for you to get through a bad day! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">

#COVID19 #Anxiety