Fight Night- Becky vs Depression

After a David and Goliath battle it appears the giant has fallen after going a full 12 rounds. The heavyweight Depression dominated in previous rounds but laid defeated by the underdog. The winner, in their debut fight, is featherweight Becky.

Here's what they have to say about the fight...

Depression: "I was in control for the majority of the fight. I got in her mind and knew I had her rumbled. She lost her head and at one point I thought I'd get a knockout within the first few rounds."

Becky he says he got in your mind but there was some tremendously heavy blows too.

Becky: "I thought there was no chance for me. I was exhausted mentally but physically too I didn't expect that. I begged my corner to throw in the towel after round 2 but they saw something in me and by round 5 I got a second wind out of nowhere. Now I feel fine, there's not a mark on me."

Depression: "You'll always remember those blows though Becky, I promise you that. I think I'd got cocky and when she started to fight back it shocked me. I changed tactic with smaller blows hoping to pick her off slowly but she just took it. I didn't have any big hits left in me."

Becky: "I knew I could keep taking those last few shots but I was slipping what little blows Depression had left. I was surprised I could because before the fight I'd had hardly any training and thought I was going to fight a different opponent, then out walked Depression into the ring." 

That's true Depression. The bookies say you were unevenly matched with Becky the David to Goliath. Do you agree?

Depression: "I misjudged Becky. She seemed an easy fight at the beginning but she really stood her ground in the end. She must have had training, you can't be naturally that tough. That girl can take a hit."

Becky: "I suppose I have had some practise I just saw them as easier fights and I was in better shape for those. Depression was an excellent opponent at first but by the end it was as if he gave up. When he went down in round 12 I braced myself in case he got back up, but he just laid there."

And will there be a rematch?

Depression: "Possibly."

Becky: "I'm going to watch the fight back and see what moves worked best for me to improve my tactics. I'm going to stay in training if Depression calls me out."

Well there you have it folks. Depression may have lost this time but is already saying he may challenge Becky in the future. Our views on the fight? We believe the next bout won't last the full 12 rounds. We think Becky will take him down by round 6.

Much love,
Becky xx

Dedicated to my husband and corner man.

Country Escape- 5 Benefits

Many people's natural reaction to stress or a mental illness is the feeling that you need to run away. You're not safe in the here and now and somewhere else will be better. Although I don't advise disappearing into the wilderness I do advise getting away from it all every now and then.

I don't tend to go on long holidays or go abroad since I became too anxious to fly but we do go on a number of short breaks throughout the year. We tend to go glamping and stay in huts or pods in rural locations or near the sea. We stay in caravans or our tent sometimes too. We've even camped less than a 20 minute drive from home before just to get away.

There are many reasons I think this has helped me recover from my depression and anxiety and here's my top 5 reasons why...

1. fresh air- being able to breathe in fresh air that smells amazingly clean, it helps wake me up on a morning and feel fresh through the day but makes me tired by the evening and then helps me sleep a lot better than I ever do in a building
2. peace and quiet- being able to listen to natural sounds, having no phone signal and no television available, not hearing the noise of neighbours and the city life
3. change of scene- getting away from your 'everyday life' can make it feel as though you have escaped, it gives you new sensory experiences- sound, sight, smell and can bring back memories of places you love and can revisit
4. quality time- I go away with my husband, my dog and sometimes my mum and her dog come too, we get to spend time together doing nothing much, we can talk or just all sit enjoying the view or take a walk, there's no pressure to do anything except relax
5. It's all good!- good night's sleep, good views, good company, good mood, good experience, good to challenge yourself, good for photography, good for relaxation, good for readers, good for daydreamers, good for walking/hiking, good for your health and your happiness

Whether you take a day out or just have a day sat in your garden or local park you can feel the benefits. But if you can try a short break then it can do wonders. The fact that you know you have something booked gives you something to look forward to too or you may just decide to go away on a whim. Here's some idea's you could try...

• camping/ glamping no matter what the weather
• hang out your washing to dry
• jog or walk around the park with your dog
• going to farms, the countryside, the beach and forests
• walking instead of taking the car for short journeys
• walking barefoot on sand, grass, in streams and in the sea
• having a picnic with friends
• read, paint, colour in or write in the garden/outdoors
• al fresco cafes and sitting in the garden for meals
• open your windows to let fresh air in
• book a boat trip or hire a canoe, pedalo or rowing boat
• outdoor assault courses
• build a snowman
• have a water fight
• join an outdoor sports club
• join a Nordic walking group or go on a hike

Be careful that you can get to your destination or complete your activity safely and you aren't driving if you don't feel able or feel drowsy, tired, unwell. Ensure you aren't alone in vulnerable places or out at night alone. Let your loved ones know where you are and when you should return or even better take them with you. You don't have to talk just walk or sit and watch the world go by together. Even better still hold hands or cuddle up in the outdoors to enjoy the weather or keep cosy. 

Always remember: appropriate clothing and footwear, sunscreen, let someone know where you are, water and a charged mobile phone for big outings :) Keep safe!

Much love,

Becky xx

10 Things I Wish I Knew Pre-Breakdown

In all aspects of our lives there are things that we look back on and wish we could change. We see things in a different light once we have been through them and fantasise about how much better we could have done it knowing what we know now. 

So if I could go back in time and give myself some advice what would it have been?

1. Live it- don't try and suppress anything, it will be hard but you can't stop or ignore what is happening in your body or mind, let it come and it will go, listen to what your body is telling you and try to go with the flow and control what you can

2. Rest- work, DIY, housework, projects can all wait. You won't get anything done if you are not functioning properly and your health is more important than any job

3. Get out- sit in the garden, open a window and let some fresh air in, go for a short walk

4. Water- keep hydrated, you're going to do very little including very little to look after yourself and dehydration does not help anything

5. Eat- even if you pick at food just keep eating small amounts and build it up, keep it nutritious

6. Bad social media and negative television- the upsetting social experiments, eery shows, horrible news stories, distressing images, other people's dramas are all going to do you no good and some will make you paranoid and bring nightmares

7. Sleep- try your best to be in bed on a night and out of it through the day, you'll seriously struggle to sleep but you need some sort of routine

8. Dance- you love to dance and the exercise will do you good, don't give up what you love, you might not be able to get to a class but there's always your kitchen!

9. Cuddle- it's easier to push people away and you'll become irritated sometimes by contact but there really is some truth in hugging it out and you need to keep the good relationships you have

10. Medication?- I now believe my medication gave me many side effects that were very hard to live with at the time and that possibly 6 weeks away from work without them might have been enough. I can't say for sure but I think if there is a next time I will be less willing to start medication and try the healthy living approach and rest first

It may seem as though this advice is wasted as I can't go back in time BUT if I do have another breakdown I have this knowledge. I can look back at this list and know what worked and what didn't. I can try it and if it's different next time at least I tried something I had a little faith in. I lived and I learnt and used my lessons to get ahead.

What would you tell your past self?

Much love,
Becky xx