Welcome to our first recommendations blog post! In this blog series, we will cover the products and resources we recommend for different diagnoses, life events, diverse groups and more!
If this blog is triggering in anyway, we ask that you click away and contact a loved one or use our 'I NEED HELP' page on our website or click here.
Please note that this is only a guide and we are recommending based on our personal lived experience, our own Mental Health care professionals advice and customer feedback. This is in no way a therapeutic recommendation unless give by your own Mental Health care professional. Our advice should not be relied on solely. Please refer to the disclaimer at the bottom of this blog.
Everyone has experienced anxious feelings such as worry, stress, fear, nervousness, uneasy and fidgety. These are all normal emotions that are trying to communicate something. Sometimes these feelings stick around longer than we like and we may be experiencing anxiety.
It is important that if any of these feelings affect your day to day life (makes simple daily tasks more difficult) that you speak to your GP, loved ones and a mental health professional. You can also view our 'I Need Help' tab on our website or send us a message and we can help provide resources local to your area.
The following list features our top products and resources that assist in lowering feelings of anxiety, worry, stress, fear, nervousness, uneasiness and assist with fidgeting. Each product and resource has been tested by us, recommended by our customers and our personal mental health care professionals.
Recommended products for anxiety include;
We encourage you to let us know in the comments your favourite from this list! What would you add to it? What should we add to our store?
As always, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to reach out! We love to help where we can!
We will update this list as new products arrive in our store or if products are discontinued.
Thanks!!
*Disclaimer
For Your Mind Boxes is not a replacement for health care professionals including Doctors, GP, Psychologists, counsellors. The strategies outlined in this blog post are only to be used as a guide and not to be relied on solely. It is strongly recommended to use these strategies in line with your health care professional.
]]>
"Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias." Direct Quote from International Women's Day*
I remember when I first heard about International Women's Day. I was confused what the day was about and didn't pay much attention to it and over the years I have struggled to understand what the day represents for me as a woman.
I grew up in a very male dominated world and I didn't have many women to look up to. I watched the inequality and abuse occur in my community and in my own home, women being less to support the men.
I was told that it was my job as a woman to ensure that the males in my life were looked after and that I wasn't capable of anything without a male. I was told how to dress, how to look, how to act, told to clean and cook for my male partner and then told to marry rich because I am lazy and I'd be lucky to find a male who would even want me. I was told my body was allowed to be touched and explored by other males because that's what a woman's body is for, for men's satisfaction. I was told I must become a mum and provide to society and my male partner as that is what a woman must do.
I watched princess movies and thought that someday I will find my knight in shining amour and he will come to save me. I started dating boys extremely young and was engaged at 18 because I was told I needed to be saved and I wouldn't handle being on my own. I entered my first domestic violent relationship at 17 and would experience 2 more domestic violence's relationships and homes by my 22nd birthday.
I didn't know any different and I wish I could tell my younger self that she is more than capable of being alone and capable of having a beautiful life without a partner. I also wish I could tell her that being gay or bisexual or a lesbian or ANYTHING is more than okay as well and you are not less of a person for how you identify and you don't need someone!
International Women's Day for me is about equality for all people, no matter their gender identity. It is a day to celebrate the amazing women, including our trans and non-binary community, in our lives. It is a day for empowerment. A day for awareness of the inequality that is still happening. To show a light the inequality through history. A day to inspire domestic and family violence, trauma and sexual assault victim survivors to keep going, that they matter, that the world needs them, and to lift them up and give them their voices back!
Every single year since I first heard about International Women's Day, I have felt more empowered, I have felt apart of a community, I have started to feel more equal, learnt to love myself more and I have found my voice again.
I want to thank all the amazing and inspiring women in my life but also on social media. From the small businesses I follow to the influences, the friends I have made online and now in person, and especially all my mental health workers. The community I have surrounded myself with is my WHY!
We live in a very gendered world and it saddens me how many people are affected by gendered violence. International Women's Day is NOT a day to talk down on the men in our lives, it is not a day to be angry at them. It is a day to bring equality back into our world and see us all as equal humans.
I want to pay my respect to the males who are also victims in their own right and know that we see you, we hear you and you deserve the same human rights as all of us. We need to end violence for ALL!
What can you do this International Woman's Day?
Here are some recommendations on what I have done over the years and what I will be doing this year.
Women Run Businesses Shout Out
We would like to shout out all the amazing women run businesses that we work with her at For Your Mind Boxes!
Product Recommendations
This weeks recommendations are products that may assist those in your life who have experienced trauma, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. These products will never take the pain away from these victim survivors and we strongly encourage professional support. These products are simply to help assist your loved on our their journey to healing and a kind gesture you can give to show love and support.
Disclaimer
For Your Mind Boxes is not a replacement for health care professionals including Doctors, GP, Psychologists, counsellors. The strategies and recommended products outlined in this blog post are only to be used as a guide and not to be relied on solely. It is strongly recommended to use these strategies in line with your health care professional. If this blog post has been triggering to you please seek support from a trust safe person, mental health professional or click I Need Help to view our list of helplines and support services.
References
We obtained the information in this blog post from the following websites;
*https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
**https://nationaltoday.com/transgender-day-visibility/
***https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/international_non_binary_people_s_day
****https://www.internationalmensday.info/
Is this YOU? Then this blog is for YOU!
Read about the strategies I used to overcome my anxiety when visiting new places and going to events!
]]>"Who will be there?"
"Will I be the only one to show?"
"What if I don't know anyone?"
"What if I make a fool of myself?"
"What if I have a panic attack?"
"What will the parking situation be like?"
"What food will be available? Will I be able to eat?"
"Where are the escape exits?"
"What if it's too noisy?"
I know so many of you reading this will be nodding your head saying 'Yeah that's me!'.
As someone who has Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Anxiety) and Agoraphobia, I have felt this way anytime I had to visit a new place or attend an event and for a long time it was anytime I left my house. I couldn't check my mail or take my bin out for years (and I still have moments where I can't!).
I know I am not alone in feeling this and I also know that someone does not have to have a diagnoses to feel any of this! It is more than okay to feel worried or scared about a new place but when it affects your daily life, that's when you need some support to help you.
Over the years I have tried many strategies and therapies to help me overcome the anxiety of going to new places. It was a lot of trial and error, but I have developed some amazing strategies that have helped me to overcome so many fears and I can tell you now
IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK!
I still have my hard days and sometimes what worked yesterday won't work today. Sometimes I give in and go back to bed and other days I will try another strategy to help me to get out of the house. It is about working with yourself, knowing your limits and being patient.
Here are my strategies that helped me to overcome (most days) my anxiety when going to new places and events!
What else would you add to this list? Lets share over on our Instagram page what you have tried and what has worked for you.
Remember, these strategies won't work for everyone and some days they may not work for you even if they have in the past! Keep trying, never give up and reach out to us, your health care professional or a Helpline if you need extra help!
-
Disclaimer
For Your Mind Boxes is not a replacement for health care professionals including Doctors, GP, Psychologists, counsellors. The strategies outlined in this blog post are only to be used as a guide and not to be relied on solely. It is strongly recommended to use these strategies in line with your health care professional.
]]>