Believe in yourself

~ Vickyw

Believe in yourself time to talk week

“Believe in yourself”.Today is Time to Talk Day, and I’m writing this post in case my depression returns, and I become unmotivated and disheartened.

Why?
Every day may look the same, but it’s different, and you can make a difference by achieving the impossible.

Keep going to the gym even if you don’t have the energy to get out of bed.

Remember the progress you made when you were too afraid to go out of the house, let alone go to a class or the gym by yourself.

When you had set up your blog, but you took a year and a half to start writing because you were afraid that no one would be interested in what you had to say.

Now you are an award-winning blogger and a Vuelio UK top 10 mental health blogger.

You took over a year to finally launch that YouTube channel. OK, so you don’t have many subscribers yet, but just like the blogs, an audience takes time.

As long as you put out content that you enjoy making who cares!

Just because your past has been plagued with bad things doesn’t mean it will always be this way.

Ignore the demons and remember they are only voices that you can blank out.

You aren’t the rich rock star you dreamt of being, and you can’t work with people in an office or a shop.

That life’s not for everyone, keep playing that guitar and building your business slowly, and the clients and the money will come.

Everyone else is getting married, promotions, buying houses, and having children, it’s not a race. Everyone grows at different times.

When you think of all the people that have left, betrayed you, and hurt you, don’t cry they’re not worth your tears.

Every hit or run you make is your revenge for your pain.

When you want to go somewhere and have no one to go with, think of something that you can do by yourself.

Never think that you need people to make you happy!

Keep believing in yourself, even when the sun has gone down, and the lights have gone out, and you lie in bed thinking what could have been?

Keep going to the gym, going to classes, swimming, blogging, and making content, and the rewards will eventually come.

You were born to create and innovate, not to hate and waste away.

Remember, it can still happen! Just believe in yourself!

Does Boost Oxygen help you recover from workouts?

~ Vickyw

Boost Oxygen

I was sent a can of Boost Oxygen to try out as I hadn’t tried any similar products before I decided to test it and see whether it did what is described on the can.

Boost Oxygen is 95% pure oxygen, with the remaining 5% taken up by the flavour or aroma.

The flavours include; Peppermint, Pink Grapefruit, Menthol Eucalyptus and a Natural.

I was sent the peppermint, and I must say that the flavour was accurate and tasted quite refreshing and not too overpowering.

On the front of the can, it states that this Boost flavour is right for aerobic performance, recharge and recover and altitude and low air quality.

Although it tells you that it lasts for 150 inhalations, it doesn’t tell you how many puffs you inhale per workout.

I tried Boost Oxygen last Sunday before, during and after my workout, on Thursday at my HIIT session and on the previous Friday, after and during my exercise until the can run out.

I’m not sure if this product is for everyone, though.

Yes, Boost already has thousands of people who use their products, and according to the way this is marketed, it appears that the people who are using it take part in sport.

Whether that’s hiking, swimming, cycling, surfing or driving in Formula One, these products seem to enhance performance.

Did it do anything to me? As someone who visits the gym and swims almost daily I have to say that I’m slightly disappointed in the Boost Oxygen because I thought that I would feel more energised.

However, I didn’t try using this with sports such as hiking, driving or climbing.

I’ve heard that Boost Oxygen is good to take while climbing and flying at high altitude.

It didn’t feel like it gave me many enhancements.

If I took it for a longer or used it for different sports such as climbing or mountain biking, I might feel differently.

Boost is a lot healthier than all those surgery sports drinks, and it’s worth a try if you like your sports.

You can find more info on the Boost Oxygen website.

Have you tried Boost Oxygen, or are you considering trying it out?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section or check out our YouTube channel if you haven’t already and visit our social media channels.

Accepting mental health as an illness?

~ Vickyw

mental health sufferer

It looks like the government could finally be accepting mental health as an illness after doing a U-turn over disability benefits.

Are you entitled to PIP? An article in the Guardian said: “Up to 164,000 people are in line for increased disability benefits after ministers gave in to a high court ruling that said government policy had been “blatantly discriminatory” against people with mental health conditions.”

Individuals with conditions such as severe anxiety and bipolar disorder who said they were too scared to leave the house and needed support to walk 200 metres, were told by the government that they weren’t entitled to PIP payments because they did not need a stick or a physical aid.

The new work and pensions secretary, Esther McVey’s decision overturns moves by ministers in spring 2017 to stop people qualifying for enhanced payments within the mobility component of PIP for reasons of “psychological distress”.

The decision left many disabled people angry as many disabled people lost money and after an outcry from campaigners who said those benefit recipients afflicted by “overwhelming psychological distress” were treated less favourably than other claimants as a result.

A challenge to the high court resulted in a judgment before Christmas last year, in which Mr. Justice Mostyn said: “In my judgment, the 2017 regulations introduced criteria … which were blatantly discriminatory against those with mental health impairments and which cannot be objectively justified.”

PIP has two parts, one for help with daily living, the other for mobility. The announcement now means that mental health sufferers can also apply for the mobility part.

To get the standard rate of £22 per week a person must score eight points at assessment.

Scoring 12 points entitle a person to the enhanced rate of £58 per week.

Many had expected Ms. McVey to appeal against the decision but instead, she asked the Department for Work and Pensions to begin an exercise going through all affected cases in receipt of PIP.

She also released a ministry statement that said: “We will then write to those individuals affected, and all payments will be backdated to the effective date in each individual claim.

I hope that by making this statement it is clear that the government is committed to improving the lives of people with mental health conditions.”

Ms. McVey’s comments could be a sign that the government is finally accepting mental health as a serious disability after years of failing to recognise it.

Let us know in the comment section or on our social media channels if you have been refused PIP or if you will be applying now that the rules have changed?

Turning 35 and the things I still haven’t done

~ Vickyw

35 logo

I’m turning 35 this Sunday, and it doesn’t seem like that long ago since I was celebrating my 21st or my 30th in Washington DC.

Sadly, life has thrown many knives at me, and I’m not in the place I wanted to be at this age.

In fact, I never intended to make it past 27. 27 was the age where all the great musicians passed away, however, I never became the person I dreamt I would be.

As a child, I always thought that you left school, went to college, Uni, and got a job just like that.

Then by 25, you would be married with children, a house and a car just like your parents.

Unfortunately, life hasn’t been that simple for me!

I’m 35, single, no children, no house, no job and I’ve spent years in and out of work.

I’ve decided that I don’t want to work for anyone else again because I don’t want to be a meaningless wage slave only to be treated like dirt and bullied in the workplace.

I work for myself and choose the work I do and who I work for and my own hours. Life comes before work!

I don’t want to be tied to a desk for 8 hours a day, five days a week repeating the same old daily ritual day after day it’s such a waste.

I want to learn experience and explore new things.

I would also like to travel to places such as Australia (again), I would love to spend more time traveling through Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, Alice Springs, Adelaide, and WA.

Route 66 has always been a dream of mine. I’ve also not visited many places in Europe, and I have never been to my Grans home country, Ireland, my Nan’s home country, Hong Kong, and I’ve never ventured as far north as Scotland.

I’m single because I have trust issues and I’ve stopped going out as much as I used to.

In fact, I have no plans for my birthday and no one to celebrate or commiserate with.

There were times when my idea of a night out was all-nighters, now I would settle for a quiet meal out and a few drinks or a takeaway night in with a few karaoke tunes.

I’m off to Exeter on Saturday to spend the day with my mum, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and their kids.

We are getting a birthday cake which should be fun. We can’t go on my actual birthday (Sunday)because mum works Sundays.

Hopefully, in a few week’s time, my mum, sister and I will finally get to go to the spa day we booked for mum back in December 2016.

I’m spending my 35th birthday on my own. I will probably go to the gym and for a swim and have a few drinks by myself.

I’ve learned that some people are meant to be alone and that having too many people in your life can cause too much pain than good.

Nothing is forever and just because everyone is married with kids or living in a big house with flash cars and a good job doesn’t mean it’s going to last.

I’m slowly making progress, but I’ve still got a long way to go.

I have weight to lose, blog, vlog, and social media channels to grow and I would love to improve my guitar playing this year.

Mental Snapp is launching a Mental Health app

~ Vickyw

 

mental snapp logo

Mental Snapp is launching a Mental Health app next Thursday which is designed to help people manage their mental health better.

The app called is a video diary providing users with the tools to create videos of their life experiences easily.

You can tell your story, rate your mood, name your feelings, and the subject area you are recording on, e.g. stress, sleep, etc.

The app comes up with intelligent responses and prompts for what to record on next based on the tags you attach to your recordings.

Hannah Chamberlain, the co-founder of the app and originator of the idea, said; “I came up with the idea for Mental Snapp having told my own mental health story on film and helped other people tell theirs.

I’ve been managing my own condition and making films on mental health for twenty years, and seen how telling your own story on film really makes a difference to people.

Mental Snapp is a way to make the therapeutic benefits of journaling, rating mood, and naming feelings accessible – the camera on your phone can be the therapist in your pocket.”

The Office for Disability Issues, DWP, says; “We welcome Mental Snapp is an innovative idea to help people manage their mental health.

People living with mental health and other long-term health conditions have barriers to overcome in living independently.

The Government has set out a commitment to see one million more disabled people in work by 2027 and technology has an important part to play in helping us achieve this goal.

Mental Snapp is an exciting example of how technology can help promote methods of recovery that help people to live fulfilling lives.”

Author and mental health activist, Mental Snapp user Michael Brown has bipolar disorder and has been creating videos with the app throughout its beta phase.

Michael, 34, is married to husband John, lives in central Cambridge, and is part of a funded research team looking into bipolar, anxiety, and new methods of treatment.

He said; “It is important to record my mood and Mental Snapp is a superb way of recording, monitoring and looking after my mental health all in one app.

Mental Snapp helps me better understand, manage, and look after my mental health and wellbeing.”

Mental Snapp has attracted lots of attention during its beta phase, with funding from BGV Ventures, and in November 2017 the app’s founder, Hannah Chamberlain, was awarded The Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs, a prize £30,000, presented by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

An independent study from London Southbank University has shown that using Mental Snapp, over a period of just two weeks, has a significant impact on confidence.

To find out more about the app, visit the website and social media accounts, and you can download the app for free from the App Store and Google Play.

Download this app and let us know your thoughts on this in our comment section or on our social media channels.

Full of cold and my call from the CMHT

~ Vickyw

Call from CMHT

I’m still full of cold and I received a call out of the blue from the mental health team.

It’s been a busy week full of drama and it started me still suffering from flu symptoms.

I only went back to the gym and the pool on Sunday after taking the week off, and I also received a surprise call from the CMHT confirming that they had lost my notes from my assessment from May 2017.

I started my new year’s resolutions with all good intentions until the cold that I thought I had got rid of on Sunday returned.

I decided to go back to the gym and for a swim on Sunday. The gym sessions were going quite well until I went into the swimming pool, swam a few lengths then started sneezing.

I came out of the pool and thought I would try and steam out the cold in the steamer, but I could barely breathe in there.

I went into the Jacuzzi, and I felt cold, so I came out.

After having a shower and walking home, I felt cold and ended up with watery eyes and sneezing the rest of the day.

On Monday, I decided to go to the gym and give the pool a miss. I was a little bit slow but managed to go on the treadmill, bike, and rowing machine before I had another sneezing fit.

I made both HIIT sessions this week, and I’ve been in the gym all five days, but I’m still sneezing a little.

I’ve also been doing some research for a vlog, and I’ve been uploading to social media daily from this week because I want to increase my followers and get more involved with brands and collaborations with other bloggers this year.

I’m getting busy with work and clients are requesting more, I can’t complain though as I never get bored as there is too much to do and everything I earn goes back into paying for tools to make my blogs and vlogs better.

A bolt out of the blue phone call from the CMHT

I’ve just received a phone call out of the blue from the CMHT asking what I would like to get out of their service.

This appears to be a strange question as they have notes on me dating back to May 2015.

During the phone call, the CMHT admitted losing the notes they had made on me during my last assessment with the team back in May 2017, which was another wasted journey.

They have taken several months to get back to me. It’s no wonder there are lots of suicides in Cornwall!

The final probation call

The person called 10 minutes late, but she was friendly.

Sadly, in terms of getting educated and on courses they couldn’t really help me because they only help people who don’t have basic skills such as GCSE Maths and English get back into work.

Regarding my mental health, they also advised me to keep persevering with the CMHT.

I’m relieved it’s over but disappointed they couldn’t offer opportunities for people who are given a criminal record due to their mental health instead of going through a tick-box exercise every time they phone.

The phone in probation service is a waste of time and money.

The pain clinic

I attended my second session at the pain clinic for my bulging disc and sciatica pain.

The Physician spent most of the time explaining where the pain comes from which isn’t helpful.

I said I wanted another scan because the scans he was looking at are from September 2015.

He took my knee and ankle reflexes and told me that they wouldn’t offer a scan unless I couldn’t feel my reflexes.

He then told me to exercise more, and if I had any problems, I could have an open appointment for six months.

How’s your 2018 going?

Have you made any significant changes or is there anything that you are struggling with?

Let us know in the comment section or start a conversation on our social media channels.

Nine days on Benenox and its effects

~ Vickyw

 

Benenox recharge

I decided to spend nine days on Benenox to see how this medicine type drink would help my sleep and make me more active.

My sleep pattern

I’m averaging over 6 hours of sleep per night when on Benenox on some occasions which is really good for me considering my sleep pattern goes from anything to one hour per night upwards.

From taking this product, I have learned that my sleeping improved, and on days when I haven’t taken Benenox my sleeping pattern has been lower, which means that I’m not in a deep sleep and I’m actually awake during specific periods in the night.

Distance covered daily

I have been covering a distance of six to eight miles on most days.

I only cover a distance of 2 miles or 1 mile on really sluggish days when I didn’t take the Benenox.

I have also been doing gym exercises and swimming which my FitBit doesn’t measure.

Floors covered on a daily basis

On days when I have taken Benenox my FitBit has measured up to 30 floors per day, and on days when I haven’t taken Benenox, I have only climbed just under ten floors daily.

I believe that Benenox has helped my immune system because when I feel like I’m getting a cold.

It contains all the ingredients such as honey, glycerine, and lemon juice which are good for your immune system.

I have been sneezing a bit and feeling a little bit nasally. I have also been going to the steam room almost every day, so I guess that could have something to do with the reason why I haven’t got a cold as well.

Overall score

I’m giving Benenox a score of 4 ****/ 5***** because it tastes pretty good and it has made a difference to my health.

When I came off the Benenox I started to feel a little tired, but I’m not sure if it has something to do with my menstrual cycle, as I often feel quite sluggish and tired.

Maybe I should take Benenox on a regular basis?

To see how it affects me at different times of the month. I have tried two different flavours, and I have felt better when taking them. I’m not sure whether this is because I have increased my exercise routine and my lifestyle changes have contributed to this. I can recommend this product.

There are periods where I feel more energised and less tired and fatigued.

I’ve been feeling pretty creative, the mind feels sharp and I’m more productive.

I will be giving the product another try, and I will be purchasing more Benenox from Amazon.

So go and check it out if you fancy starting the new year with a health and fitness boost.

You can either take the product with hot water or take it by itself. If all that Christmas partying has made you feel a little run down, I recommend purchasing a bottle of Benenox.

Finally coming off probation

~ Vickyw

Off Probabtion sign

2018 is the year I finally come off probation, which feels like an eternity for a mental health sufferer like myself who has never experienced this joke of an experience before.

In 2016 I ended up pleading guilty to something I never remembered doing due to a mental health breakdown, and I also ended up pleading guilty to something I never did to get this whole stupid thing out of the way.

I was given a 15 month suspended prison sentence for perverting the course of justice and 15 rehab activity days.

In this time, I pushed between several people who have not helped me one bit into getting treatment or securing employment.

I had several sessions with a lady, and another patronising lady was supposed to be my probation officer for seven months, who I saw twice.

The lady who was part of a women’s group saw me every fortnight for eight sessions used to take me for a hot chocolate in a nearby cafe and would talk to me about how

I’m spending my time, and she was like having a friend.

After those sessions finished, I was told that I now had a new probation officer and that I would have to find my way to the sessions 20 minutes away from my home.

The new probation officer saw me for a couple of sessions and set a meeting up for me with a career advisor.

The Careers advisor advised me to apply for a master’s degree and told me to go to the college where she would help me fill in my form.

However, when I arrived at the college, my father spent 2 hours in the car waiting, and I had to do all the work, and she never helped at all.

What was worse is the fact that the careers advisor then told me that the loan wasn’t interest-free and that I would have to pay it back.

After my sessions with both the Careers advisor and the new probation officer ended. I was told that I would be put on telephone probation.

The months passed by and I never heard any more until receiving a letter last August, telling me that I haven’t responded to a message that never reached me and that I was now instructed to make my way 10 miles up the road to report to someone else.

My father then queried this, and the person he spoke to became very helpful and put me back on phone probation and talked to me over the phone.

I’ve had a couple of calls every six weeks with a lady but to be honest, it’s a complete waste of time and money, and she even agreed and admitted that there wasn’t anything she could help me with.

I’m also disappointed with the solicitors and courts who never explain how probation works.

When you are sentenced to community orders, I was unaware that you would also have a probation officer checking up on you?

I just assumed after 15 sessions, and the whole thing would be over with.

I have one last call with a probation officer next week, and then I’m finally free from this probation saga and of the suspended sentence list.

Not that I plan or had ever intended causing and getting into trouble with the police, courts, and probation.

Never in all my life did I ever think I would end up with a hefty criminal record overshadowing my already dark life.

I would also like to go to places like America, Australia, and Canada one day and I hope that my mental health hasn’t ruined this for me because of a stupid criminal record which I never should have been given, or at least it should be wiped entirely because of my health.

Yes, many of you are saying that mental health shouldn’t excuse a criminal record if that is so; shouldn’t mental health records be entirely wiped after so many years?

I was given a record for being sick and making friends with the wrong people, some of whom are related to police officers, so I believe I was unfairly set up.

Looking after yourself during the festive holidays

~ Vickyw

reading a book with a cup of tea

For mental health sufferers, Christmas can be stressful, which is why you should look be looking after yourself during the festive holidays.

Whether you are feeling high or low or ok, it’s easy to get carried away with drinking, overeating, overspending, and not sleeping.

Here are some essential tips on how to look after yourself during the festive holidays.

Always make time for exercise
It can be easy to get carried away with alcohol and food that you wouldn’t usually eat but remember to burn off anything you consume.

Don’t just sit on the couch and eat junk food. Make sure you eat in moderation and get off that couch and go for a short walk or if you have a Play Station, Xbox or a Nintendo Switch play a few games on it.

I will be away from home this year for a week over the festive holidays, which messes up my daily gym and swim routine.

I will be getting my exercise by walking with the children and playing on my Nintendo Wii. I’m in London for two days so I will be walking a fair bit.

If you need to take a nap take one
All those late nights and rushing around can make you feel tired. Don’t be ashamed if you need a little rest during the day.

If you are tired, take one. You will feel more energised about it. The late thing you want to do is rush around and come down with the flu or cold due to feeling run down.

Drink alcohol in moderation and drink water in between
Make sure that you drink alcohol in moderation, especially if you are on medication.

You aren’t supposed to drink with medication.

However, a cheeky glass of Bucks Fizz should be ok as long as you are sensible and aren’t drinking alone.

You should also try drinking water in between, so you are less likely to dehydrate and end up with a bad hangover.

Make lists
If it’s your turn to make the Christmas dinner for the family at your house, make sure that you make a list of what everyone wants.

You don’t want to be rushing around a busy supermarket, not knowing what to buy.

Grab what you want and come straight out.

Supermarkets are the most stressful places this time of year.

Take a long hot bath
One of the best ways to relax is by having a nice warm bath.

I like to use Lush bath bombs when I’m feeling a little under the weather.

My favourite is the Dragon’s Egg which my mum or sister usually buys me for Christmas, and they also make great stocking fillers.

Read a good book
There’s nothing more relaxing than having a hot bath and sitting on the sofa in your pajamas with a hot chocolate and a good book.

This year I have started reading more books about blogging, PPC, SEO, Social media, and autobiographies.

It helps me switch off from all the daily distractions, and it has also helped to improve my writing and grammar.

If you have any tips on how you will be looking after yourself during the festive holidays, we would love to hear from you in the comment section below or on our social media channels.

Christmas is stressful for mental health sufferers

~ Vickyw
  • . Person alone on Christmas day

This time of year is supposed to Christmas is stressful for mental health suffers leaving many of us feeling emotional and overwhelmed.

For most of us, this time of the year is about being merry and enjoying parties and drinks with friends and family.

However, it’s not always so fun for those who suffer from mental health issues.

Many people find that being surrounded by too many people can feel anxious.

I hate Christmas shopping because I rush around shops trying to buy things and I get annoyed when I can’t find what I want and often just pick up something random off the shelves.

I also hate queuing because it makes me panicky.

By queuing I mean more than one other person at the till. I don’t have the patience for this.

I need to get into a place, get what I want, and get out before I explode.

Lucky for me, I started my Christmas shopping online back in October, and I had only brought a few things from one shop a few weeks ago.

At least I don’t have the whole Christmas panic buy, and I don’t have a lot of people to buy for.

I don’t have friends to meet up with or Christmas parties to go to either because I work for myself and the only people I see are my family and the staff at the leisure centre I go to almost every day.

I don’t miss the parties because I used to panic about what to wear and I would look too fat in a dress.

I also hate big parties (depending on what mood I’m in).

I could be singing and dancing on chairs, or I would try to hide from everyone at the bar.

As I work for myself, my brain is always ticking, and if I miss even one day of exercise, I go crazy thinking I’m going to gain weight.

A poll by the Samaritans shows that “Nearly half of people questioned in a poll for Samaritans said they hide their real feelings at Christmas to keep other people happy.

The poll also showed that many more women feel they have to put on a brave face than men.”

This year there are mental health helplines open on Christmas Day, so if you or someone you know is struggling let them know that the Samaritans and SANE are open every day.

You could end up saving someone’s life. That’s the best present you can give as Christmas is stressful for mental health sufferers out there.

The best Christmas gift for mental health suffers is to let them know that you are there for them no matter what.