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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:12 PM
Awesome @redhead! I'll jump over there tomorrow - right now I need to get some rest. Thanks for a great (and super important and thought provoking) GR everyone! 
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:13 PM
Thank you so much @khaleesi_18 @Myvo and @redhead in particular! It's been a while and it was so great to have a proper chat with youuu!
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:01 PM
Hehe tea is the best for self care @redhead! I think we should start another thread about tea flavour recommendations 
and that's so true about ignoring the feelings
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:57 PM
What helps with chronic or long term sads, what might not help so much?
- Seeking professional help - it's not a sign of weakness to seek the support that you need
- Patience with yourself - it's okay to have days that are better than others (in fact, that's a normal part of the recovery process)
- Mindfulness (and the Breathe/WorryTime apps!)
- Distractions
- Support groups/being around supportive people
- Tea
Not help so much
- Pressure or expectations that we put on ourselves to feel or be a certain way
- Rumination
- Unhealthy/destructive coping techniques
- Critical self-talk
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:03 PM
Whoa, great list @khaleesi_18! I too am a great fan of tea ❤️
Stay excellent
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:14 PM
That's a wrap, everyone! Thank you to everyone who came to chat to us tonight about dealing with the sads 🙂
We hope that you found it insightful like @khaleesi_18, @Ben-RO and I did. This is what we learnt tonight!
Feeling sad
We feel sad about all sorts of things – in our lives or immersing ourselves into our creative worlds (literature and pop culture!). Whether it’s the past, present, or the future, there’s a lot of stuff going on in our lives that makes us feel down. Other times, we could be feeling a bit blue in ways that we can’t explain.
Signs of sadness
Sadness is not necessarily bawling your eyes out. We can express sadness in all sorts of ways. Withdrawing from others, being quiet, not going about our everyday tasks, being angry or irritated, hiding what we truly feel, wanting to be left alone …the list goes on. There’s reasons why campaigns like R U OK exist – to help you and those closest around you when you feel something’s not right.
Self-Care
Self-care is super important (as you know J) This could be taking some time out, spending time doing some hobbies, doing some exercise, practicing our own coping strategies. It can be quite challenging to find out what might work for you. What you may find relaxing, soothing, and/or less stressful for you, you might not classify as ‘self-care’. But if it’s part of your frequent routine, that’s great!
What’s your ‘reason’?
Gosh, it can be really annoying when someone well-meaning asks you why you’re sad (and reckons you have no ‘real reason’ to be that way). It’s important to note that we can suddenly feel bad when we least expect it and all we can offer is a shrug and say “I dunno”. Listen, be patient, don’t prod, ask about their needs, don’t try to ‘fix’ or attempt to ‘save the day’, and leave an ‘opening’ when they feel ready to share.
More serious signs of sadness
Stuff can get pretty serious if you’re feeling blue for more than a few days. We talked about what you can do when there’s more serious signs on the horizon. Not socialising, not getting out of the house to do everyday stuff, when everything you do feels like a massive effort, feeling sad most days, time and triggers are some signs that the sads are more serious that you might think.
Helping out: Chronic and long-term sads
There are many different things that can help with chronic, long-term sads. These could be seeking out professional help to explore different treatments, being surrounded by supportive people and being in a supportive environment, safe coping strategies, self-care and relaxation, mindfulness and tea! J
You’re not helping with my feels
There’s also methods that really don’t help when you’re down in the dumps. Sometimes, the coping strategies that we think are helpful are either a) only helpful in the short-term, and/or b) more harm than good. At the time, we may think they’re great ideas but it can do some serious damage. Remember, there’s always light at the end of tunnel and we move at different paces. Seek out help from a pro and/or those closest to you!
Wanna find out more? We got you covered!
Feeling sad without knowing why
Here's some ideas on dealing with the sads:
Our 'Helping myself and others' section on RO
Stay excellent
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:09 PM
Okay ad on that note, its time to wrap up! Join us this Thursday to talk a bit more about chronic sads and what to do about em!
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:10 PM
thanks everyone 🙂Trying to make my misery
just a piece of my history
A little less victim a little more victory
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:08 PM
@Myvo @khaleesi_18 this thread about tea 😛
Trying to make my misery
just a piece of my history
A little less victim a little more victory
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:11 PM
OMG yes @redhead i am sending one of our marketing team over to the tea thread tomorrow!
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:59 PM
@Khaliseesi_18 how did i forget about tea 🙂Trying to make my misery
just a piece of my history
A little less victim a little more victory
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:46 PM
That's a great point @redhead! When sad feels start to creep in and affect other areas of your life/daily functioning, that's a big thing to watch out for.
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:38 PM
What are some signs that things are little more serious than just an off day or two?
This can be tricky, because sometimes sads can last for a while, and build up gradually over time. It can be hard to take a step back to see if things are getting a bit more serious, especially if you've been feeling down for a little while.
Feeling sad most days, not wanting to get out of bed, feeling reluctant to socialise with friends or generally feeling like life is a bit of an effort are some signs that something a bit more serious going on.
Feeling down can be a normal response to stressful situations, but these feelings typically go away after a while. If they persist and get worse, then that's another warning sign that seeking some help might be a good idea. You don't have to go through sad feels alone!
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:41 PM
oooh i forgot about sneaky sads @khaleesi_18!
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:24 PM
What tips could you give to others when supporting someone who’s feeling an off day?
Like @Myvo said, just listening and empathising (without assuming things) can be really powerful. The type of support you might give may depend on your relationship with the other person or the situation/reason they are feeling down. Another thing to keep in mind is that it's important to look after yourself when you're supporting someone through an off day.
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:30 PM
Here's our next question, everyone!
What are some signs that things are little more serious than just an off day or two?
(Sometimes, the sads can go for awhile)
Stay excellent
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:37 PM
I think that the sads are more serious if it seems to be happening all the time, or it's really noticeable when someone is not themselves.
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:41 PM
What are some signs that things are little more serious than just an off day or two?
When it starts to affect your life. For example you could stop doing things you use to like, stop socialising, use negative coping strategies to deal with things, school and work starts to get affected,
Trying to make my misery
just a piece of my history
A little less victim a little more victory
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:44 PM
I know those feels @redhead. When your life is goes on standby, it can be tough finding your feet again.
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:48 PM
Hmm, shall we try and get another question?
What helps with chronic or long term sads, what might not help so much?
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:55 PM
What helps with chronic or long term sads, what might not help so much?
i think what works can be different for everyone.
Therapy, meds and filling my life with the things i want has helped me, trying to find safe coping strategies, distraction techniquies, and exercise has also helped.
edit: what doesnt help?
when you ignore it,
Trying to make my misery
just a piece of my history
A little less victim a little more victory
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:54 PM
What helps with chronic or long term sads, what might not help so much?
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 9:55 PM
@Myvo do you think that negative coping mechanisms don't help? Or do they help, but do different kinds of harm?
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originally posted on 08-08-2016 10:01 PM
@Ben-RO At the time, negative coping strategies may seem like a good idea to someone because it provides some kind of cathartic relief to them during that time period. For instance, for a few months this year, I did do some self-harm without actually knowing that it was. During my great sads, it gave me 'something to do' but also relieve some stressful experiences. But in the long run, it seriously sucked. It screws with you physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Seeing health professionals and exploring different types of treatments can help put you on the right track and see what can help you out in a safe, supportive environment.
Stay excellent
