by Mollie Millington | May 13, 2020 | eating, happiness, recipe, self care
How has self-isolation been treating you? Whether your government calls it lockdown, sheltering-in-place or something else, you are probably home more than you are used to. If you follow me on social media, you might have seen my link for a 28 day self-isolation challenge. It offer something relatively simple to do each day. It could be trying something new, cooking, completing a workout or connecting with a friend. The calendar also allows you to track what days you drink and how often you are active. Although I shared it in April, there is no reason why you can’t start today if you missed it.
We switch to a different format for May. I have a few bingo cards for you to try out. Since watching The Phantom of the Opera on YouTube, I have been addicted to AccuRadio’s mutiple Broadway musical channels. This has inspired me to create classic and modern musicals bingo cards (there are two different sets for each category for a total of 96 shows). You can either listen to the soundtrack or watch the film of the musical in a square to cross the square out. Click here to download them as one file.
Musicals aren’t for everybody, but I believe chocolate is, so I asked my good friend, Katie from Cake vs. Scales, to create a chocolate lovers bingo board. She went above and beyond by thinking up two chocolate heavy themes. Please remember if you have any food allergies or intolerance to please check all ingredients before consuming our suggested treats.
First up is a Baking Desserts Bingo. Katie put together 20 of her favourite dessert recipes (many from her own website) and I added a few more that I love (such as my cookie dough guilty pleasure and Guinness cupcakes with whiskey ganache). You can download 30 different boards here and then the recipe links can be found here. This is a good one to challenge friends and family to. Book in a night baking together and see who has the best presentation. Take photos and tag us on Instagram (@ptmollie and @cakevsscales) so we see what you get up to.
The other bingo challenge Katie developed for me was with different types of chocolate bars. Many are only available in the UK, so I in addition to the UK chocolate bar bingo game, I also created a US candy bar version for my readers in the States (aka my mom).
If chocolate or musicals don’t make you happy, why not create your own bingo game? There are lots of websites that allow you to create unique boards. You can use films, TV shows, breakfast foods, chores, homework assignments, whatever you fancy really, to generate 30 different cards. Then you can play against friends and family. Our bingo cards are meant to spark some joy but I know these specific ones will not appeal to everyone. There is nothing stopping you from making your own fun with a little bit of creativity and bingo.
Leave a comment below and let me know which card you tried and how you did.
by Mollie Millington | Apr 30, 2020 | community, family, happiness, holistic, mental health, self care
We started lockdown (due to coronavirus) in the UK on 30 March 2020. The rules are you can only leave your home once a day to exercise; dogs can be walked once a day; you can travel to work if you are unable to complete your job from home; if you leave your home you must keep two meters away from others. Like many other countries and cities, the rules are not black and white, leaving some room for interpretation (such as, how long can I exercise for), but overall you are meant to stay home and not socialize with others. We are very fortunate to have a garden and be able to work mostly from home (I have to go in every other week and can cycle there). Maple has also been a nice distraction, but lockdown has made socialising her a bit complicated too. We are doing the best we can when out on walks (she loves watching people walk by) and hope she doesn’t turn out weird.
Between working, worrying, and puppying, my days have been pretty intense and varied. I haven’t quite managed to set up a proper routine yet. I thought I would share a few things I have learned on lockdown, along with how I am coping. Perhaps you can resonate with some, or can you add to the list?
Gratitude
As I mentioned above, I am very grateful that my husband and I are still both employed full time and also have a garden space to enjoy. We are still allowed to go outside and visit shops without seeking government permission. That is a big relief. I am grateful that so far, my family has been healthy and we have been communicating more often that usual. I am grateful to have Maple to keep us distracted from the scary stuff going on outside our front door. She is a good cuddler too.
Patience
Both the puppy and the virus are helping me with this one. Maple is a puppy and needs time to learn and explore. She tends to sit and stare unexpectedly on our walks. I try to let her do so as she is observing the world as it goes by. When I go for a run, I need to take it easy to allow for social distancing, waiting for traffic so I can stay 2 meters apart from pedestrians, and to not be frustrated with my lack of structured training. We have also learned patience waiting for deliveries, booking grocery delivery slots, and how in general, things are working a little bit differently out in the world. In this day and age, Amazon Prime and internet downloads have gotten us so used to instant gratification. We are learning to live at a slower pace now.
Acceptance
The serenity prayer is something I have embraced for a long time. Not because I am recovering, but because it is a good reminder that I should not waste energy trying to control things that I cannot. I tend to have high standards and expect everyone to have the same values that I do. I am reminded that this is not the case on a daily basis, especially in lockdown.
The thing I am having the most trouble accepting is the amount of gloves, masks, and cleaning wipes I see in my local park and on the sidewalks of my street. People can be so selfish and it is really disappointing (deep breaths).
Here is a link to a printable PDF should you want to hang the image in your home.
The power of napping
Maple still doesn’t sleep through the night. After a few weeks of letting her cry and spending an hour coaxing her back to sleep, we now set an alarm to wake her up to use the loo at midnight and 3am. She then wakes up at 5:15am for breakfast. Sometimes I sleep from 7-9am and it is glorious. (I am grateful for a flexible working schedule!)
Many people have shared with me that they are finding it hard to sleep or the quality of the sleep they are getting isn’t as good as it used to be. Self-compassion key here. Your sympathetic nervous system is on overload. Being constantly on edge may not be something you are aware of, but this could be why you are finding it hard to sleep. Take a nap if you want to. Stay in bed longer if you need to.
Service
With no many things out of my control, I have been blessed to channel some energy in to supporting others in my local community. We posted a note through the houses on my street, letting folks know we are here to help if they need it due to self-isolation or illness. I was pleasantly surprised to have several responses from others willing to help and we now have a Whatsapp group. Two elderly neighbors let me know they are self-isolating, so I text them once a week to check in.
I have also been doing my best to support small business and my friends who work for the NHS. Hustle Bakes will post brownies to you or a friend. Dook of Edinburgh make luxury handmade soaps which are the perfect treat for you or a friend who washes their hands a lot. We are also trying to visit the local shops near us more for fruit and veg, rather than the big chains. I even paid my hairdresser ahead of time so that she can pay her bills. She works out of her home as a freelancer and cannot see clients right now.
Charity
Along with supporting small businesses, we have been donating to various fundraisers and charities to help the NHS, the art foundations offering special programming on the television and internet, and those organizations that offer support to vulnerable people and animals. Don’t get me wrong, we are not donating a lot, but if everyone donated a few quid here and there, it would add up (just look at Captain Tom Moore!).
Communication
Working from home while my team is on site, alongside working from home while my husband does the same has really helped me learn to communicate more effective in several modalities. At home, I still choose my battles if something is bothering me but I am not waiting as long to address it. Usually, I am not a confrontational person and James and I tend to be very independent. However, we are now spending a lot of time together, are sometimes frustrated about the puppy and neither of us have slept the night through in six weeks (due to the dog).
The things I miss
With my injuries, I haven’t been at track much this year, but I do miss my Advent Running family and going to parkrun on Saturday mornings with James (he always beats me). I also miss seeing my blogger friends at fitness events in London, going to Function360 for my physiotherapy check ups (I am going to schedule a virtual appointment soon), and hitting the gym before work. Of course, travelling is something that was a big part of our lives before Covid-19 and I am not sure when we will be able to start that up again. James misses going to the pub. Each to their own, I guess.
As this pandemic continues, I am sure we will continue to learn more about ourselves and others. If your lockdown rules are starting to lift, I would love to hear how it makes you feel and if there is anything from lockdown you will continue with or if you plan on returning to life as you previously knew it. Leave a comment below and let me know.
by Mollie Millington | Mar 23, 2020 | self care
You may not know that not only am I a personal trainer, I am also a health coach and have a certificate in mindfulness. This allows me to take a holistic approach when coaching clients so we can work on all aspects of happiness, not just fitness. Working at home and/or being in isolation will be new to many people, so I wanted to share my top tips on how to stay sane when isolating. We don’t know how long this is going to last. I encourage you to put good habits in place from the start and make the most of the time. If you are anything like me, I have often said “I wish I had more time to do this or do that.” Now you do. Carpe diem.
- Keep a schedule- This is probably the most important tip I can offer. For me, keeping a schedule ensures I don’t spend all morning in bed and all afternoon on the couch. If I plan to workout at a certain time, check in with family at another, go for a walk after lunch and then clean out my closet in the evening, I will feel like I have accomplished something each day. The schedule doesn’t need to be the same every day. Keep meal times and bedtime as close to your life before isolation as you can as your body is already in a routine.
- Move a little each day- Following your local government’s advice, think about how you can keep your body fit and strong. If possible, go for a walk in the sunshine. Go up and down your stairs for 10 minutes a day (build up to 10 minutes if you need to). Wash your hands if the stairs are communal. March in place during the TV commercials. I read that one man ran a marathon on his balcony during isolation. No need to go to that extreme. Just keep your mobility up. My Quickie Workouts are mix and match or you can visit my YouTube channel for a few workout videos.
- Keep up with good hygiene- While it could be very tempting to wear the same pair of comfy pants all week and not wash your hair, it is important to wash regularly to stay healthy. In addition, actions such as shaving, styling your hair, or wearing a nice top might give you a little morale boost.
- Limit TV time- TV is a way to relax for many people in the evenings after work. It can also suck your entire day away if you let it. My suggestion would be to limit TV time to two hours maximum a day. Use the rest of the day to complete the things you don’t usually have time for (perhaps from this list?). 🙂
- Revisit a favorite hobby- Sewing is something I enjoy doing as a creative outlet but I don’t usually have the time or space. In America, I would probably have a spare table in the basement where I could leave my sewing machine out and work on a project for a week or more at a time. Here in the UK, I need to clear off the kitchen table, dig out the sewing supplies from the cupboard under the stairs, pin my quilts on the floor and then put it all away when I am done. I am hoping during this isolation period to finish a baby quilt for my friend who’s daughter is now three. You might not be in to sewing, but perhaps you played an instrument, enjoyed photography, liked to knit, or enjoying baking. Why not start it up again?
- Do your taxes- I assume tax deadlines will be extended in many places. Freelancers in the UK have from May to January to file taxes. I suggest processing them now to (hopefully) get a much needed refund.
- Complete DIY- Start redecorating the spare bedroom or replace the carpet in the bedroom. You could even just replace the photos you have around the house to many things a bit more cheery. Organizing digital photos is another good use of time.
- Take an online course- It has taken me two and half years to finish the #gifted Future Fit Training nutrition diploma. Normally, I am too busy to make the course a priority (I was doing ok in the beginning but I fell out of routine over the holidays). I am please to say I have been burning through my last module and should finish by April. There are so many online courses out there. You could learn more about something you have always been curious about or study for a new career. My 30 Days to Happy online course starts 1 April and would be an excellent way to learn tools to stay health and happy for many years to come. Register by Friday 27 March to join in!
- Learn a language- There are many (free) apps out there to help you learn a new language. Why not download one in preparation for your next holiday (which hopefully won’t be too long away).
- Download Kindle app and read the classics- Any book published more than 100 years ago has lost its copyright and is available for free. You don’t need a Kindle to download these free books. Just download the Kindle app and get reading. I pay £7.99/month for Kindle Unlimited and can even get magazines for free. My book is also available in the Kindle store for £1.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. Or a paper copy can be posted to you too.*
Click on my Amazon store* to find some ideas for products that can help with the above. If you have any other suggestions to share with my readers about how not to go crazy with cabin fever, please leave a comment below. We are in this together!
*This post contains affiliate links. They cost the buyer nothing additional and help support the running of this site.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 3, 2019 | gift guide, holistic, relax, self care, yoga
This year, as I was injured, I tried to focus a lot on self-care, which is something I don’t usually prioritize when I am physically able. As I couldn’t run to release my stress and frustration, so I had to come up with other ways to keep myself occupied. I read a lot of books, we adopted a sassy dog, I practiced more yoga at the local gym I work at (but not as much as I should of) and watched a lot of Grey’s Anatomy.
Here are some gift suggestions for people in your life who could use more work-life balance, aren’t in to high impact exercise, or just need some encouragement to be happy. Anything with a * I was given to review and I think is pretty great. Other items were suggested to me but I have not tested them out. Is there anything else I should add to the list?
Yoga Matters natural linen eye pillow*- I had never used an eye pillow before I received this in a goody bag. It is actually heavier than I thought it would be, yet somehow relaxing when placed over my eyes. It is filled with lavender-scented linseed and has a removable linen outer cover in case you get eye make-up on it. You can even place over your hands to ground you in savasana, making it very versatile in its use. It is handy to carry with you wherever you go. I will be bringing mine along to my next sports massage.
Run Up 2 Christmas event– This might actually be a gift for yourself, but why not join my Run Up 2 Christmas team as we aim to run 50Km together in December? All proceeds go to Mind Charity and you will receive a medal at the end of the month. Get your friends and colleagues to sign up to for added motivation to keep moving this month.
Run Things Run Club (RTRC) membership*- This virtual run club is a supportive and friendly space online and across social media which can help hold you accountable on the days you don’t want to run. They are also the folks behind RU2C above. Whether it is your work schedule or location that prevents you from joining a local run club, this is a fantastic alternative. It is a one-off payment for a lifetime membership, emails, and access to a private Facebook group.
Barrecore on demand and Barrecore accessory pack- London’s original boutique barre collective and the workout synonymous with the lithe bodies of Jourdan Dunn, Pippa Middleton and Claudia Schiffer are now available for you to do at home (if running isn’t your thing). The brand has an ON Demand online workout membership for which you will need a few accessorizes. At just £25 per month, the online-workout programme is the chance to stream The Barrecore Method from any device and in any location, to create lasting change in your body in just a few weeks. The accessory pack (£39, shown here) contains everything you’d need to keep your barre-training going, no matter the time or location.
Sea Soul box set- Sea Soul Blessings are mindfulness tools that awaken the ‘blue mind’ benefits of being in or around water. The simple daily practice of drawing a card each day to evoke the sea can be as rejuvenating as a trip to the beach. In Wallace J Nicholls’ bestselling book, “Blue Mind”, Nicholls explains that spending time in and around water has the power to calm us when we’re anxious and overwhelmed. It also boosts our focus and sense of wellbeing, lowers stress and anxiety, builds resilience. I know the moment I enter warm water (not the 10 degree C kind), I can feel the tension in my body melt away. Just like sea swimming, the cards clear the mind, encourage reflection, help us to release tension, and boost wellbeing. Regular use helps to shift unhelpful thoughts, develop greater self compassion and move towards positive life changes – while also building a sense of connection to the world around us. Sea Soul Blessing also donate to environmental projects from every sale, protecting the natural world for future generations. A great gift to help ground someone you love.
Dook soap making workshop– Sure, smelly soap makes a great gift (and this product is exceptional!), but why not go a bit further and gift a soap making experience? My friend, Helen, founded Dook and puts a lot of thought into her products to make them luxurious and eco-friendly. She recently added a shampoo bar to her range (bye bye plastic bottles!). If you live Edinburgh or want a weekend away, book in for this unique learning opportunity.
Body and Soul gift box- This is perfect for someone who needs to be pampered in a more traditional way. The gift box includes bath salts, a face mask and jade face roller – perfect for that much needed me-time while enjoying the candle to create a calming atmosphere. A Body and Soul journal and pen also provide support for well being and self-development over time.
Voucher for Wellness appointments (female) or Wellness appointment (male)- How often do we stop and take time to access our health? This in-depth private GP appointment can help your loved one establish a baseline level of health and if any action is needed in terms of nutrition, exercise, or stress reduction. There are several different levels of appointment service that may include a thorough consultation and examination with an experienced doctor, a resting electrocardiogram, extensive blood testing, and a follow-up consultation or a written report summarizing the medical as well as giving recommendations for future care. Blood tests may include a full haematology profile, infection and inflammation markers, full cholesterol screen, kidney function screen, iron profile, glucose level, vitamin D level, thyroid function screen and more depending on what you are worried about. I have worked with the Walk-In Clinic in the past, and have been impressed with what they have to offer. There is always enough time to sit and chat with GP, you are never rushed, which is why I love this practice. Their clinic also offers a travel vaccination clinic* and marathon medicals.*
Function360 vouchers*- If your friend or family member is a weekend warrior and lives in London, why not treat them to a gift voucher to Function360? Located near Moorgate Station, the team does it all, from prehab to post-hab, sports massage, dry needling, physiotherapy and more. New clients also get 15% off their first appointment with my code #F360MM15. I have been going there for several years now and have absolutely seen an improvement in my body mechanics and use #challenge52 to find us on social media.
52 Weekend Challenges: Cultivating health and happiness– You might not have seen that I wrote a book which came out in January of this year. Available as an e-book or in print on your local Amazon website (it is free for those with Kindle Unlimited in UK). It is a great way to spend a year gently exploring different aspects of life just outside your comfort zone. There is a private Facebook group too. Message me to join!
Gratitude and resilience journals by Awesome Inc– My friend, Nicky, has built a pretty cool business up over the years using her skills in graphic design. Her products offer readers ways to build a healthier and happier life. Who doesn’t want that? There is a range for kids, adults, and case studies of schools incorporating her products into their curriculum with amazing results. Simply writing down three things a day you are grateful for can have a large impact on your mindset.
Float session at Floatworks*– This experience makes a great gift as the price tag might deter some folks from giving it a try. For 60 minutes, you float in a salty bath in an enclosed pod to let your mind drift away without any distractions from the outside world. It may take a few sessions for the full relaxation effect but the long-term benefits of better sleep and less anxiety are worth it. (I will be writing up a full review of my experience later this month). This is a great gift idea for the person who has seen and done it all as it is pretty new on the health scene.
What are you asking Santa for this year to improve your health and wellbeing?
by Mollie Millington | Aug 17, 2019 | fitness, happiness, holistic, motivation, self care, virtual training group
Everyone deserves to be happy. As the Happiness Personal Trainer and a qualified health coach, I have the tools to guide you through small changes that can add up to make a big difference in your daily life. Why not join me for a unique online training program that I developed to cultivate happiness through fitness, food, feelings and fun? I will be there to hold your hand, cheer you on, and guide you through some of your roadblocks as we work together over 30 days.
’30 Days To Happy’ is conducted online, meaning anyone in the world can join as long as they have access to the internet. Held over email and Facebook, we will touch upon attributes of fitness, food, fun and feelings, learning healthy ways to incorporate each into our daily lives by gently stepping in and out of our comfort zones.
For only £59, you’ll get a introductory webinar to learn more about the program and meet others in the group; a weekly challenge video and worksheet to complete; personalized coaching via the Nudge app on your Smartphone, and community support in a private Facebook group. We will wrap it up with another video call to see what each participant learned through the course. Overall, it only takes a few minutes a day to complete the weekly challenge.
Testimonials from my pilot session:
“I really enjoyed working with Mollie on the 30 days to happy programme, I learned a lot about my habits and had fun trying new things.” -Julie
“Mollie’s 30 Days to Happy is like a gentle nudge from a friend. She provides really great prompts to dig a bit deeper and really think about your day-to-day mood. It challenges you to find happiness is all aspects of life and see how it all relates. I liked meeting new people through the program too and hope to continue using her tips throughout the year!” -Eileen
Are you in?
The program runs 23 August- 21 September 2019, costing just £59. The strategies you will learn will last a lifetime, so invest in yourself and sign up today. Registration closes 23 August 2019. Sign up via the button below. I am once again limiting the session to 30 people to ensure you get the attention you deserve, so don’t wait. 🙂
by Mollie Millington | May 13, 2019 | happiness, mental health, self care
Did you know that it is Mental Health Awareness Week is 13-19 May? The theme this year is Body Image, which I will talk about in another post as it is such a loaded topic. I have been sharing a bit here and on social media the mental struggles I have been having over the last few months. I am happy to report that I seem to be coming out on the other side. There is still a bit of stigma around mental health and anxiety in the United Kingdom, so I wanted to share a bit about my story and what I have been doing to try and get better. It feels a bit weird to do this as I brand myself as the “Happiness Personal Trainer.” You might think I have nothing to be sad about or that I am always smiling. Neither of these are true. I am just like everyone else who experiences the highs and lows of life.
The first time I was on anti-depressants was in 2005 when I didn’t get into veterinary school for the second time. It was a plan I had put in place in 2002 that involved moving back in with my mom, attending university part-time to obtain the appropriate prerequisites (like organic chemistry) and working part-time in a small animal clinic. I also had to take standardized tests and obtain additional experiences with animals (I volunteered at the local humane society farm on the weekends). I knew it would be a stretch to get in based on the USA vet school admissions system (too complicated to explain here) and even considered moving to North Carolina to increase my chances at different school. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.
I really struggled with that reality. I felt lost. I didn’t have a life plan or a sense of purpose. All I knew is that I wanted something else with my life. I tried to figure it all out with career counselling, therapy, and switching jobs to a medical laboratory that allowed me to move into my own place. To help me get through an unsettling time, my doctor put me on citalopram, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. It is used to treat depression and panic attacks (luckily, I don’t have these unless I have to get a cavity filled or go in an enclosed slide). When I started to feel better, I went back to my doctor and obtained a plan to wean myself off of them.
Fast forward to the summer of 2010. I was getting married and moving from a small Midwestern town in the USA to London. Almost everything I had, I had to sell, donate, or throw away (turns out not enough of it as we had to hire an extra car to drive items for storage to my mom’s). Luckily, I was able to secure a job before we landed, but there was a lot of change going on in a small window of time. So I decided to get back on citalopram to help me through another time of transition.
Life in London was a huge adjustment and I stayed on the medication to help me cope. There never seemed to be a good time to come off of it. I am ‘only’ on 20mg/day which my doctor says is a low dose. A few years ago, I increased my dosage around Christmas time as I was stressing about family and holidays (as many people do). There is too much to go into here, but I wasn’t handling things well. I went back to my doctor and we agreed to temporarily increase my dose. After a few months, things were less stressful and I went back to my original dose.
And here we are today. For the last few months, I have been struggling mentally and emotionally. There are a few reasons why:
- Things at work aren’t where I want them to be
- My dog passed away unexpectedly (we knew the end was near, but there was an accident)
- I haven’t been able to do high-impact exercise (ie run) since 8 March
- Also during that time, I have had a bad cold with stuffy nose and cough (so it was good that both happened at the same time to save me time)
- My energy levels are low and I just feel tired, especially when I wake up. I was worried my glandular fever (mono) was back but I never had a fever.
- In general, I tend to over-commit which brings on anxiety. This is an on-going problem that I am working on.
I finally decided I couldn’t go on like this. A few weeks ago, I went to my doctor for blood tests and to increase my citalopram dosage. I have also read books on mindfulness, cognitive behaviour therapy, SUMO straight-talking, had hypnotherapy, and tried CBD oil. I also reached out to several friends back home and had some amazing catch-ups on the phone. Even though it caused tension at home, I decided to avoid certain social situations that could have triggered additional stress. Finally, I ate a lot of raw cookie dough. So much so that I gained six pounds (I am sure the no exercise bit didn’t help).
Slowly the tides are changing. My cough is just about gone. Last week, I was able to run for a few minutes at a time (not long enough to get a runner’s high). I was a bit worried before I started running as I didn’t want to injure myself again, but so far so good! At the end of last week, my husband noticed my mood was improving too. Citalopram (much like other anti-depressants) can take a few weeks to start working. My blood work was normal, aside from low folic acid for which I was prescribed a medication. The doctor said if I still feel low in three months to come back and see her (thanks NHS). On Saturday morning, my latest adventure became real because I booked my flights (more on this later in the week). Finally, I was able to watch a very adorable puppy Saturday afternoon which brought me much joy. I am still looking on several dog rescue websites a day but haven’t found “the one” yet. Puppy-sitting will have to do for now.
Where does leave me? And you?
Obviously, in sharing these personal details with you, I officially have Imposter Syndrome and am worried the trolls will come out of the woodwork. However, I felt strongly that I wanted you to know about my experience in case you or someone you know are also feeling low or sad. I am quite open with my colleagues about my medication and happy to answer any questions that they may have. And I want you to know that you can ask me questions too. There is nothing to be ashamed of in needing anti-depressant medication. I have many friends that have been on them. Some have been able to come off and others realized that they need to stay on them.
Depression can be genetic, it can be a chemical imbalance, caused by a stressful situation (like I have had recently), or medical problems. It doesn’t mean you are weak or a bad person.
If you are feeling depressed and thinking about harming yourself, please call 999 or Samaritans in the UK (911 or Suicide Prevention Helpline in the USA). Ask for help.
What have I learned over the last few months?
- I need to run to manage my anxiety and depression levels. Soon I will be able to do this.
- I asked for help and I got some from friends, my family, and my doctor. And their support helped me tremendously.
- Although I have enjoyed having freedom in my schedule not to be home at specific times, I really miss having a dog. Oldland gave me a purpose, a reason to walk in the park every day, and a friend to cuddle with on the couch.
- I needed extra medication to manage my situation. How did I know this? I didn’t want to get out of bed (sometimes I didn’t even want to shower, but I did). I didn’t want to talk to anyone. My tolerance for other people was very low. I just wanted to sit on the couch and watch Grey’ Anatomy.
- Having an adventure or trip to look forward to gives my mind something to focus on and plan for. Which makes it a good distraction technique!
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I can’t say what the next few months will bring. The medication seems to be working. Once I am able to run regularly, I will have a good think about whether it will be time to adjust it again. I will keep sending James links to dogs up for adoption and try to convince him that we are ready for another one.
Please feel free to email me if you would like to ask me any questions about depression or being on anti-depressants.
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