Mental Health

I won’t lie: I’m struggling. Big time. I have never felt more out of my depth than I do right now, with this whole homeschooling thing due to Covid-19. Usually I’d just send the kids off to school and they’d come back all educated and everything. But now? Its me and them. All day. Every day. I’ve got two kids, a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old. The young one, she just wants to play with her Barbies all day, and the older one, he’d rather be playing Fortnite than tacking long division. I mean who can blame them? I think we’d all rather play than work but there’s just something about seeing them struggle with education that makes me feel like I’m failing them. I’m…

okay, let’s be honest here, I’m becoming seriously frustrated with these constant app updates. you know the ones I’m talking about – ‘new feature’ this, ‘improved interface’ that, and my personal favourite ‘bug fixes’. it seems like every time I turn on my phone or open my laptop there’s another update waiting. seriously, how many bugs can there possibly be?! it wouldn’t be so bad if the updates actually did something noticeable. you click update hoping for something flashy and new, maybe a cool filter or an easy way to search for things, but no. all we get are vague ‘performance improvements’ which might as well be tech speak for ‘we changed the font by half a pixel’…

Can anyone explain to me the reason behind YouTubers making their intros longer than the lifespan of a fruit fly? The other day, I was searching for a simple tutorial on how to fix a leaky tap. Found one that seemed promising, clicked it, and guess what - a full-on 2 minutes of introduction. Mate, I don’t have time for a monologue about your life story, your subscriber count or why liking and subscribing to your channel is going to change my life. It’s like trying to get my dog to stop sniffing every tree, every bush, and every fire hydrant we pass on our walks. Get to the point! It’s a tap, not a tour of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Don’t even get me started on th…

Hi all. I’m a bit stuck at this crossroads. I’m currently renting a pretty decent 2 bedroom apartment, but lately I’ve been wondering if it’s time to invest in buying a house. To rent or to buy, that’s the gnawing question. I’ve been living in this city for about four years now, started off as an undergraduate and kinda fell in love with the place. I’ve got a good job here that’s offering me a bit of room to grow, and honestly, I’m leaning toward putting some roots down in this community. I’m single, no kids, so I’m all about location, accessibility and probably a bit of city nightlife (pre-covid era stuff, you know). But I’m really not sure if I’m ready. Financia…

Hey everyone. Today was a bit rough for me and it got me thinking - how do people deal with emotional pain without it taking over their life? I’ve been struggling a bit recently, something I’m sure many of you can relate to given the upheaval brought by the pandemic. Missing friends and family, not being able to unwind after a tiring day at work, it’s been really taxing. It’s not even just the big issues either, sometimes it feels like every little thing gets me down. It seems like the mounting pressures of work, lockdown and just life in general lately are turning into a constant undercurrent of stress that’s stealing my joy and making it feel like I’m constantly…

We’ve all had moments where we’ve needed someone to lean on. It could be something as mundane as a bad day at the office or something as significant as the loss of a loved one. Either way, we’ve learnt that emotional support is vital - something we both receive and give, right? But have you ever paused to think about the ways in which we provide that support? Is there a right or wrong way? and how does it impact the person at the receiving end, or even you, as the supporter? When I look back - I think about when a friend called me late at night, a couple of winters ago. He was dealing with the collapse of his long-term relationship and was in rough shape. I rememb…

ever had one of those days where you’re just down in the dumps, feeling lonely or overwhelmed by life’s challenges? yeah, me too. it ain’t easy, and some days really test your spirits, don’t they? but imagine if, in those moments, a loved one called, texted, or just pinged you and took a minute to see how you’re holding up. That’d be pretty nice, wouldn’t it? Emotional support, y’all, it’s pretty much like having a secret weapon. it’s that cushion to fall on, the voice in the wilderness saying “you’ve got this, buddy” when you’re lost and trying to find your way. it’s like healing balm for the soul, I’ve got so many stories I could share. i remember when i went th…

Have you ever felt like you’re running on fumes, emotionally speaking? You’re not alone. We’ve all had those days when life’s challenges seem to hit us with more intensity than just about anything else. It’s important to remember though, that seeking emotional support isn’t a sign of weakness, but a part of maintaining our overall wellbeing. For some of us, reaching out might feel like the hardest thing in the world, isn’t it? I remember this period in my 20s when everything just felt like it was falling apart. I was alone in a new city, the job I relocated for was not at all what I dreamt of and to top it all off, my relationship was on the rocks. The thought of aski…

You ever have that feeling when you’re surrounded by people yet you feel crushingly alone? It’s like I’m an alien in the midst of humans, just watching them interact with each other, happy, engaged, connected. and there’s me… trapped in my own bubble, isolated, disengaged. It’s like this invisible barrier is surrounding me and I don’t know how to break it down. You see, I’m not an introvert. I used to enjoy being social. remembered once where I used to be the life of the party, constantly surrounded by friends, always having someone to talk to. But nowadays, I feel like I’m fading into a ghost. I don’t know if it’s because of the pandemic and the whole WFH cultu…

Have you ever wanted a safe space to share your feelings and thoughts without fear of being judged? I propose we can make this forum just that - a sanctuary for us all. Mental and emotional health are precious facets of our lives, and unfortunately, they are often overlooked in our fast-paced, high-pressure world. But can we ignore the importance of nurturing them? Can we fully function without attending to our emotional wellbeing? This thread is an invitation to openly discuss all matters related to emotional and mental health. Maybe you’re battling crippling anxiety, or perhaps feelings of isolation are leaving you numb and distant. Or maybe you’re navigating t…

In the swirl of life, we often get caught unprepared in the strong currents of emotional and mental distress. Whether it’s due to monumental changes like losing a job or undergoing a painful breakup, or smaller daily challenges like juggling work deadlines and household chores, struggling with mental health can feel like sailing on rough seas. However, don’t we often find the most rewarding views after the hardest climb? For my part, I find solace in unplugging from the digital world and reconnecting with nature. Be it a quiet walk in the park or a weekend camping trip in a forest reserve, nothing else grounds me better than the sensory symphony of rustling leaves, gu…

Did you ever think about the small things that could potentially be beneficial for your mental health? These are prospects to be positive even in the smallest ways, in the humdrum of daily life. Let’s share and learn the small things we can incorporate into our daily routine to maintain our mental well-being. Exercise is one way I’ve found that keeps me balanced emotionally, how about you? When we think of exercising, getting sweat-soaked in a fully-equipped gym often comes to mind. But in reality, gentle exercises like a quick 10-minute walk around the neighbourhood, or even doing some light stretching at home seem to work just as well. What other small exercises do…

Every one of us, at some point in our lives, confronts emotional and mental health challenges. It’s a rich tapestry of human experiences, from everyday stress to more significant mental health conditions. Unfortunately, it’s often something we shy away from discussing, or even acknowledging, do you think the same? When we see a friend limping or with a broken arm, we rush to help, right? The limp and the cast let us know they’re hurting. But what about emotional pain, anxiety or depression? The invisible nature of these conditions often makes it hard for us to perceive and understand them. It’s interesting how our society has wired us to project an image of const…

Been battling the beast of stress lately, juggling personal and professional life amid a tumultuous world? You’re not alone, it’s a difficult endeavor that many of us take on, often not knowing how to cope. Pandemic and ongoing uncertainties make it more challenging, triggering not only stress but impacting our emotional and mental health adversely. How do you cope with your stress? What strategies work best for you? Keeping things bottled up isn’t a solution. It’s essential that we talk about our feelings, our struggles, sharing them helps us understand we’re not alone in this battle. Moreover, it can provide useful insights on how others are managing these issues. …

Seriously, I feel like I’m knee-deep in involuntarily consumed celebrity propaganda. It’s one thing to respect and admire the work of actors, musicians and athletes who have perfected their craft, but entirely another when they invade every aspect of life to “build their brand”. I swear, I can’t open Instagram without my feed being clogged up by a, once relevant, B-lister peddling beauty products or a fitness regime that can supposedly give anyone a body like theirs in just 30 days. And it’s not just social media. Go to the grocery store and you’ll find cookbooks lining the shelves with celebrity faces grinning back at you. Since when did being good at acting also cer…

Has anyone else noticed how slow days and calming evenings are becoming a rarity in our lives? We’re frequently pushed to our limits, balancing work, personal life, and somehow trying to focus on our own mental well-being. Honestly, it’s hard and sometimes quite scary, isn’t it? Finding ways to wind down and relax not only helps our body to reset but also our minds. I’ve found that simple methods often work best for me – things like reading a good book, listening to calming music, wandering in nature, or even just sitting quietly can do wonders sometimes. One not-so-secret secret of mine? Lavender. A few drops of lavender oil on my pillow gives me such a peaceful …

I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of emotional and mental health support lately, how it affects every aspect of our lives, and how we could all benefit from having a safe space to talk about it. Each of us encounters various struggles everyday, ranging from work stress, relationship strains, insecurities, and even troubling or traumatic experiences. It can be incredibly isolating when we experience these feelings, to a point where we might feel as if no one else could possibly understand what we’re going through. But it’s important to remember that no one is truly alone in their struggles. My question to you all is, what methods of coping have you fo…

Has anyone else struggled with maintaining positivity through challenging times? We’ve all been there -days when nothing seems to make sense, or when we’re feeling as though the world is against us. It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to be okay, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Drawn from personal experience, I’ve found that regular exercise, a balanced diet and getting enough sleep helps during those days when positivity seems elusive. I’ve also found that talking about what I’m going through, be it to a friend or a professional counselor, helps to lighten the emotional load. Meditation has played a pivotal role in my j…

Stress and anxiety are something we all face, no matter how resilient or well-prepared we think we are. They creep in the corners of our minds, lying dormant before surfacing at the most inopportune moments. It’s a universal struggle and yet, it feels profoundly personal. Instead of seeing our stress and anxiety as something to be hidden away or bested, it can be more helpful to see it as just another thing we all cope with. We all have techniques and coping strategies that we use to help us manage. So, let’s share these methods. Have you encountered a specific method of coping with stress or anxiety that’s been particularly effective for you? Was it a breathing…

I’ve noticed lately that the topic of mental health comes up frequently in our community, whether it’s about managing stress, dealing with anxiety or finding ways to uplift our mood. It’s no surprise, really, because maintaining emotional well-being is just as important as taking care of our physical health. This is a universal struggle. We all encounter stressors in life – whether it’s work-related pressure, interpersonal conflict, financial stress, health issues, or the myriad unexpected challenges that life throws at us. And these stressors, when not well-managed, can lead to a plethora of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorder…

Life can certainly be overwhelming at times, can’t it? We all have days where stress and anxiety might seem to take over, clouding our judgement, and making ordinary tasks feel near impossible. We each have our unique battles, but it’s how we handle them that truly defines us. So it got me wondering, how do you all cope with these moments? Personally, I’ve found solace in simply acknowledging these feelings, understanding that it’s okay to not always be okay. I’ve been practicing mindfulness regularly, focusing on being present and taking time each day to do something I genuinely enjoy, like gardening or reading a good book. It’s amazing how a little ‘me time’ can tur…

Life can sometimes throw us curveballs that can impact our mental and emotional health. It’s during these times that we may need a little extra support in managing our feelings and thoughts to navigate through the darkness and come out stronger. Perhaps you have some strategies that you’ve discovered through personal experience or therapy that could be valuable for someone going through similar circumstances? Or maybe you’re currently experiencing a tough time and are seeking advice to weather the storm? Sharing and discussing can often be a lifeline, not just for ourselves but also for others who might be struggling silently. What are some of the effective ways…

As a member of this forum, I’ve been observing that the topic of emotional and mental health is gradually weaving into our discussions. It’s absolutely wonderful to see so many people opening up and sharing their experiences, listening and offering comfort and support where needed. I thought we could take this a step further and discuss strategies we’ve collectively used for managing our emotional and mental wellbeing. Taking care of mental health requires significant attention and dedication, just like our physical health. It’s a daily routine, a practice, that calls us to listen and honor our feelings. So, what are some of your routines or regimens in caring for you…

You know, I’ve always considered myself a patient person. I adapt, I’m flexible, I’m the embodiment of the Zen philosophy - so help me God. But there’s absolutely nothing that tests that patience (and admittedly, sometimes fizzles it out) like my daily commute. It feels like it’s construction season all year round here. Everywhere you look, you’d see those fluorescent orange cones and smoky drills and massive warning signs. And I get it. I really do. They’re fixing roads, building bridges, creating infrastructure - all for the collective good. I also realise that we need regular maintenance to have smooth roads and safe bridges, and I appreciate the hard work and …

Stress, anxiety and rollercoaster of conflicting emotions are some things we’ve all been through at one point or another. It’s important to recognize that it’s a normal part of life, not something to be ashamed of. How do you manage those overwhelming emotions and stress, whether it arises from work, relationships or other personal issues? Understanding and developing ways to cope with these feelings during tough times is essential for our wellbeing. For me, writing in a journal has been a therapeutic activity. Penning down my thoughts and emotions onto the paper eases the mental burden. Plus, it’s a non-judgmental listener, accepting everything I write without any cr…