Through my COPE Campaign I’ve created a list of Stress Hacks for Adults and Stress Hacks suitable for kids, all of which are designed to distract you when you are struggling. Specifically, I wanted a list of ideas to try when you’re sat on hold for someone to help in a crisis because hold timesContinue reading “Self care and gaming – can digital gameplay really help in a mental health crisis?”
Category Archives: stress
Say hello to Bells Palsy
Although I’m very open about my health you’ll be unsurprised to know there’s an awful lot going on at home that I don’t mention. Why? Well in many cases it’s about privacy for my family. I choose to be open about my story, but it’s not their choice, so I keep some things under wraps.Continue reading “Say hello to Bells Palsy”
Introducing the COPE Campaign!
I’ve made the decision to evolve my existing Creative Coping Strategies campaign and rename it to the COPE Campaign, which stands for Creativity Opposing Painful Existence. The reason was mainly because I felt creativity can support ANY pain, not just the turmoil and stress that exists in our heads. In recent months, although I’ve beenContinue reading “Introducing the COPE Campaign!”
Gen-X – why are we so angry?
Fuck I’m old. 41 years on earth, yet I’ve barely learned a thing about effectively managing my stress, frustration and/or general upset. Recently I found myself thinking about the impact some people have on my life without ever fully knowing how important they are. Admittedly I’m unusual because of my social isolation, but there areContinue reading “Gen-X – why are we so angry?”
Mental health and creativity – when inspiration runs dry.
I make no secret of the unique distraction that creativity gives me. The quiet around me as I concentrate on writing something new, drawing something pointless and trying to teach these things to our daughter is consuming and, sometimes, essential. As I’ve tried to explain through my creative coping strategies campaign, using ANYTHING you enjoyContinue reading “Mental health and creativity – when inspiration runs dry.”
A very stressful Christmas is normal. Maybe we should change things?
***TRIGGER WARNING*** This page is specifically about declining mental health and mental illness during the festive season. If you or someone you know is in need of help then a full list of contact information (including opening hours, phone numbers and links) is available at the bottom of this post or my Get Support page.Continue reading “A very stressful Christmas is normal. Maybe we should change things?”
The Red Box and the Green Fox
What a busy few weeks it’s been. And I’m talking about busy in my terms…nothing like the real level of business you ‘normal’ folk manage that I’d never keep up with. The death of the queen, upsetting news for my partners family, our daughters birthday and a sharp increase in my pain (including a pressureContinue reading “The Red Box and the Green Fox”
Feel less blue with Bluey
If, like me, you are looking for ways to reduce stress, find new ways to relax or simply get some peace from this worry-filled world, this post might help. I’ve been working hard on distraction ideas for over a year now, but there’s been some research for personal purposes only, rather than finding solutions toContinue reading “Feel less blue with Bluey”
New pages, new direction…
I’ve been keeping busy lately, mostly as a woman being propped up by multiple opioids in order to manage my pain. That makes it even more difficult for me to write – I’m either crying because of the stiffness in my pelvis or sleepy beyond belief because morphine and codiene combined make a one wayContinue reading “New pages, new direction…”
What are we fighting for?
Arguments. Whether you are mentally fit, mentally unwell or mentally drained, it makes life infinitely worse, and leaves you squinting through a grey sheen throughout the day. But I think (deep down) that everyone loves a conflict from time-to-time, especially when they think they’re right. If I look back I remember cross words that feltContinue reading “What are we fighting for?”
Creative Steph 