Ask Anything Monday!

[Honey07]

Exercise doesn't have to be hard work and sweaty. Go for a walk - slow or brisk. Choose somewhre nice. A favourite location. Just breathe and take in natures sights. Thats better than hiding in bed. You can hide on a walk too. Just walk. No need to interact with anyone. Each day if you can go for a walk. Start to say good morning to a few people. xx

[Honey07]

Agree, a good psychiatrist or psychologist a must. Have had bad ones on both disciplines and now seeing a very good psychiatrist

[phrend]

Something I've started doing is simply standing up at my desk. If you can work out a way to raise your workspace so that you are standing straight enough, not slouching forward and so your arms are at relaxed right angles when at rest, (make sure your shoulders are not tensed up or bunched) it improves your perspective. You never really stand still so it does encourage movement. Try 90 mins standing and then 60 minutes sitting.

I've found it incredibly helpful.

[musicalcat]

Exercise doesn't have to be hard work. You don't even need to get a sweat up. It could just be a nice stroll in the park, or walking to get a coffee instead of driving. The main thing is, you'll feel better afterwards. Once your body gets used to this low level of exercise, you might be surprised that you want to do a little more. You might walk for 5 minutes the first week, and then the next week, you might feel like walking for 10. Whatever small steps you take, it's still better than sitting on the couch 🙂

[Alessandra1992]

I love sitting on the couch but my back hates it...my personal favourite housework exercise is cleaning glass..windows, mirrors or picture frames. Get a nice stretch and a payoff of feeling damn pleased that I can see out my window.. I do a bit every week..so mirrors get cleaned more frequently due to grubby small finger prints, and back door is a window and gets paw prints all week.
As to other windows..well that falls into spring cleaning..
Sweeping can be fun too...or pruning the roses...

[Former-Member]

Hi phrend,
I've been working from a standing desk too! I really like it especially because the desk is near a window and in a quiet space of the office. I agree with your timing recommendations as I get tired standing for too long and start to slouch, which kind of defeats the purpose 🙂

[Former-Member]

Thanks for your post musicalcat. I agree with you totally. Today I started out walking and then half way through I felt like slowly jogging, and I managed to keep going! I felt so much better for getting outside in the fresh air.

[Baboo]

i found standing up with the computer fantastic as well 😄

i hurt my back as a young kid, after having my family i put on a lot of weight- really bad for my back!

So i would keep my laptop on the kitchen bench so i could potter around doing house work and computer face timing with out my back aching or getting the numb bum.

I ve seen a weird saddle like chair once in a office for some one who had a bad back too.

[Honey07]

It's a tricky one, because sometimes the person experiencing unwellness is not in a place where they can hear what you are saying. They may be in a hypomanic time, having too much of what thye think is a fun time to have you tell them it's a problem. Or they may be feeling too low to hear od do something about it. Good luck

[Honey07]

I think medication is a hugely personal thing. What works for one does not work necessarily for another. An experienced psychiatrist knows this and knows her medication. A doctor may have had success with a patient and a drug and therefore want to keep prescribing that medication to all.  If a medication is not working for you, then I think it is reasonable to try something else - especially if you think you have found one that works. I would try seek another opinion about the medication your husband is more comfortable with and that you both feel makes him feel better, if that is possible? Or, explain your case to your current doctor. They should be open to dicussion, and be able to explain their reasons if they really don't want to prescibe alternate medication