by Fiona likes to blog | Oct 4, 2017 | ANXIETY, BEAUTY, DEPRESSION
Look let’s not beat around the bush. Christmas is coming. Depending on when your reading this, it may be nearer than you’d like to admit.
As I’m writing this in October, I’m aware that many of you are December Deniers. You’re refusing to accept that the festive season is imminent, soaking up the the thick stench of Autumn and bathing in pumpkin spice lattes with Hocus Pocus playing on repeat in the background. I feel you.
I’m all about that Autumnal life. I live for that sweet season where it’s too warm to wear my Practical Coat but cold enough to buy new scarves, hats and boots. But here’s the thing – Jon Snow was right and Winter is coming.
I’ve written at length before about coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder over the colder months, as well as my general disdain for Christmas in general, but I can’t avoid that December is on the cards.
So what do those of us with anxiety do when something is worrying us? We prepare, goddammit and we prepare WELL. Say what you will about my mental illness but I really know myself, so now is the time for my ultimate self-care protocol to come into full effect.
We all know that January is all about a ‘new you’ (I can smell the bullshit diet books already) but I have a plan. I want to take all the sadness and disappointment that comes in the new year and I want to deal with it now, before it becomes overwhelming.
Dealing with things before they get out of hand is becoming my thing. I just set up a Facebook group called Get Stuff Done with Depression (if you have depression or even just feel unmotivated you should definitely check it out) which is really flourishing.
I realised that I’ve been heading towards this big mental barrier which occurs in December and January so I wanted to get organised. So that’s what we’ve been doing. I’ve created a Get Organised in October challenge which offers a tip every day of the month to help me and my group get on top of things. It includes everything from savings plans, to emails, to clearing out the cupboard under the sink. The best part is, we’re dealing with it before it gets out of hand.
Then I was invited to the Superdrug Christmas event where they showcased some of the new products they’ll be releasing for Christmas, and I just had to share the best ones with you. This is not sponsored, and I honestly hadn’t planned on doing a blog post about the event but I was just SO blown away by what they had on offer that I felt obliged to share it with you.
So here are some of this ways I’ll be taking care of myself in the lead up to Christmas to ensure I have a mentally stable holiday:
Take dem vitamins
I’m proud to say I’ve been following a plant based diet since January this year, but the one thing I’ve noticed is that my hair hasn’t been as healthy as it used to be. Maybe it’s the lack of animal products, or stress (or a combination of both) but it’s been starting to get me down. When I was offered these Hairburst Chewable Vitamins I was so chuffed, cause it’s really exactly what I’ve been looking for. Hopefully by January the breakage will have calmed down and I will be feeling a bit better about my hair.
Famous for nursing even the worst hangover, these Blackcurrant flavoured Vitamin C effervescent tablets are xx flavour and are a great little pick me up for those days when you’re low on energy. I’ll be knocking these back with my hair supplements and my usual daily dose of b12.
Treat those feet
It’s funny how in summer feet are out main priority (sandals don’t get much of an outing in the UK) and when Christmas comes we forget all about them. These treatment socks are doused in moisturiser and promise to keep your tootsies in tip top condition. Perfect for the party season too.
Flu jab
It’s bad enough if you suffer with mental illness over winter but to be struck down with flu as well is a total downer. It’s exhausting and can really have a knock-on affect to your mood if it takes a while to shift. That’s why I opted for the flu jab from Superdrug. Although it’s not guaranteed to stop you getting the flu it does help protect against the strains which are most likely to take hold this winter. I didn’t even know you could get the flu jab in Superdrug stores so check out if your local one offers it here.
Spruce up your make up bag
Now is the perfect time to invest in updating your make up bag before you blow your next pay check on Christmas presents for everyone else. I love the B. range which is exclusive to Superdrige and the Revolution range is always a favourite of mine. Did you know you can get E.L.F make up in Superdrug now too? It’s so reasonable and great for updating your colour range every season.
Time for a holiday?
If possible, schedule a little break away before the Christmas madness starts. I’m lucky enough to be having a week in the sun in October and I think it’s really going to help me through the winter months. Maybe get a long weekend away in a hotel or even stay with a friend to get a change of scenery. A walk along the beach even on a cold day does a lot for my mental well being so I’m really looking forward to soaking up some rays this month.
Are you prioritising your self-care routine this Winter?
by Fiona likes to blog | Dec 25, 2016 | DEPRESSION, LIFE
It’s Christmas day and everywhere, people are smiling. Children are grinning from ear to ear as they tear open their long-awaited gifts, and parents look on with pride, feeling accomplished after a long year of working hard to provide for the family. Grandparents fall asleep on the sofa whilst the dog nibbles the leftover mince pie that has fallen onto the floor. Mum finally puts her feet up after feeding the entire family without stopping for a break.
To most people Christmas conjures up similar images of warm, familiar sights involving traditions that have gone on for years with family and friends who don’t often see each other. It’s a time to put work aside and focus on relationships, socialising and eating a little too much; all in aide of the festive season.
For anyone with depression, this scenario is unlikely to create a feeling of happiness. I know it’s not my favourite holiday, that’s for sure. If you have depression I want to tell you something.
You’re not a party-pooper.
You’re not The Grinch.
You don’t need to ‘grin and bear it’ for one day of the year because let’s be honest, it spans way longer that one day and you’re expected to be in the party mood for almost an entire month without showing a sign of unhappiness. This is unrealistic and it’s cruel to expect mental health sufferers to somehow put their illness ‘on hold’ for an extended period of time.
Can you just put your nut allergy, diabetes or heart murmur on hold for Christmas day?
Can you not have an epileptic fit or have a broken leg today?
That’s how it feels to be told to ‘cheer up’ when you have depression. We cannot simply choose not to suffer today because it’s inconvenient and makes others uncomfortable. It makes us feel guilty that we can’t, but we genuinely can’t. We want to pretend with every bone in our bodies that we’re ‘OK’ but we can’t.
This is to all the people who went back to bed after opening presents. To all the people who didn’t even want any presents because they feel unworthy. To all the people who would rather skip to December 26th and avoid the big day altogether. To all the people who are crying, screaming and hurting on the ‘happiest day of the year’… I understand.
To us, making it to the end of the day is the biggest achievement we can hope for. If we manage a smile, even a fake one, then today as been a success. If we go to bed without having shed a tear today then that is progress. But if today has been sad, lonely and scary then that’s OK too, because we experience that a lot and we’re learning to cope with it. Better days will come but they doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to live through today.
Merry Christmas
by Fiona likes to blog | Dec 23, 2016 | LIFE
Christmas Day can be pretty intense. Even for the most outgoing person, the idea of being cooped up with your nearest and dearest for 12 hours straight with nothing but food, alcohol and polite conversation to pass the time can be a little daunting. For someone like me – a textbook introvert – the frivolities of the big day are my worst nightmare. I’m not hugely looking forward to it, but I do have a few techniques up my sleeve to help the day go as smoothly as possible….
Get enough sleep
It’s tempting to go out on Christmas Eve and have a few too many drinks to ease your nerves about the following day, but make sure you still get a good night’s sleep after you socialise. I find my temper is shorter when I’m tired and I have no patience with anyone. It also makes me gravitate towards the Quality Street to keep my energy up, which then makes my anxiety worse as I ride the unpredictable sugar-high whilst trying to remain calm in front of relatives. I’ve heard people say that you often wake up in the frame of mind you had when you went to bed, so try and have a relaxing evening to keep yourself level-headed.
Keep busy
Although I’m a firm believer in keeping my calendar as clear as possible, I also find I’m happier when I’m distracted with day-to-day jobs. OK not always happier, but I’m definitely less anxious and that’s the path to happiness in my world. This doesn’t mean socialising for hours on end but simply keeping my mind and body occupied with enjoyable tasks. For me these include blogging, reading, cooking and exercising. Offer to help chop the vegetables, set the table, clear away used wrapping paper and keep everyone’s drink topped up as a way to keep busy.
Get outside
With that in mind, you may want to take your exercise to the outdoors. Getting some fresh air whilst the turkey is cooking is a nice way to relax before sitting down to a formal meal where the conversation can get heated. Offer to take the dog a walk, or get the kids away from the TV for an hour and you’ll find yourself refreshed with a clearer head, ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
Plan time with people who understand
We all have those friends you just get us. They let us be ourselves and there are no awkward silences when we’re together. They let us vent endlessly about our problems and often have the answers to them too. These are the people that should be by your side on Christmas Day. If you can, try and plan to see them in the evening once the festivities have died down, or at least keep in touch via text message or Face Time. Even if you’re feeling terrible, they’ll listen to what you have to say and help ease the burden of a busy day.
Are you ready for Christmas Day?
by Fiona likes to blog | Dec 8, 2015 | DEPRESSION, LIFE
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
Well I’m trying my hardest to crank up the volume of my headphones as Sia blasts from my phone into my almost burst eardrums, but unfortunately yes, I am listening to the flipping sleigh bells ring. I walk aimlessly around my local shopping centre blinded by twinkling lights, flashing Santa hats and overwhelmingly large SALE signs in every window. The scent of gingerbread lattes and overpriced perfume clings to my winter coat, reminding me that once again Christmas is imminent.
Spoiler alert; I’m not the biggest fan of this time of year. I promise I’m not about to ruin it for you by writing a lengthy blog about how it’s a waste of time and money as I shit all over your reindeer parade. I am happy that it makes other people feel warm and fuzzy enough to hang oversized socks above an open fire (I literally just realised how dangerous this is, please warn others) and I don’t want to take that away from anyone. But must I be forced to participate?
I’m well aware that there are a lot of Bah Humbug types out there squashing the dreams of small children. I’m not one of those people. I’m willing to chat about buying presents, eat a box of mince pies to myself, discuss what everyone’s plans are and what not. Most people aren’t even aware that I hate Christmas. When people ask when I’m putting my tree up I have to skirt around the issue, explaining that we binned our old one when we moved, haven’t got round to finding a new one and don’t particularly want the mess of a real one, when really all I want to say is I DON’T WANT TO PUT UP A CHRISTMAS TREE. I also don’t plan on handing out cards or singing carols round the piano. I’m not sure I can really explain why, other than the fact that joyfulness which has to be scheduled on a calendar just disnae seem right to me.
There have been of course, acceptions to the rule. Times when Christmas was “not that bad” include:
- The year I got a keyboard. Aged 10. Plans to become a pop star seemed to be coming to fruition.
- The year we went out to a restaurant for Christmas lunch. Didn’t have to watch poor mum stress out about burning the roast potatoes and running out of microwave space. Also, no washing up duties for anyone.
- The year I stayed home alone, didn’t shower, ordered pizza, spoke to no one and watched the entire back catalogue of 30 Rock whilst quoting appropriate lines such as “There ain’t no party like a Liz Lemon party because a Liz Lemon party is mandatory”. Joke, that Christmas hasn’t happened, yet.
As you can see, its not that I don’t celebrate (in the loosest sense of the word – no alcohol and in bed with hot tea by midnight thankyou very much) Christmas at all . I still buy presents for my close family, eat turkey on the 25th and acknowledge that the whole thing is happening around me, but do I really have a choice? I don’t imagine my parents would be too pleased if I rang up on Christmas Eve and ducked out of plans because I forgot I had to defrost my freezer that weekend. Sorry Mum I can’t make the dinner I really need to get my eyebrows waxed and the girl I usually get is about to go on holiday so its now or never, or at least learn to style my hair to cover the top half of my face for a fortnight. There is literally no excuse that can get you out of Christmas festivities so what’s a girl to do?
Grin and bear it I guess.
by Fiona likes to blog | Dec 28, 2013 | FOOD
If you’re looking for a high protein, paleo friendly brownie recipe then mosey on by, cause this ain’t for you! At this time of year we are often tempted with desserts and cookies at every corner, and normally I would dive right in only worrying briefly about the weight gain. But recently I have started to notice that my body reacts quite badly to cheap bread, pasta, cous cous and various other forms of food. So in an attempt to save myself a few stomach aches I made some gluten free brownie for dessert on Christmas Day. They are however, laced with lots of sugar. And they taste bloody lovely.
I made these with a recipe I found online and simply substituted the flour for coconut flour and it worked perfectly! There was a hint of coconut flavouring but I think I only noticed that because I knew it was in there, no one else commented on it. They were very chewy, similar to those freshly baked cookies you get from the bakery section at the supermarket, and really quite addictive. They kept in an airtight tub for about 4 days.
Ingredients:
300g granulated sugar
150g unsalted butter
110g cocoa powder or hot chocolate
pinch of salt
vanilla extract
2 eggs
120g coconut flour
Method:
Heat the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Mix in the sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Mix in the vanilla extract then whisk in the eggs one at a time until combined. Gradually beat in the coconut flour until the mixture is smooth and free from lumps. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and pour in the mixture decorating with pecans if you wish (really just for cosmetic purposes!). Bake at 160c in the middle of a preheated over for 20 minutes.
Allow to cool fully before cutting otherwise it will be a messy disaster. This makes about 16 squares. Enjoy!
