Taking the plunge

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@Former-Member wrote:

Will have to wait for @Phoenix_Rising to return and give her eager disciples the new Yoga pose for the week. That will have to be enough exercise I guess. Even if it means simply watching the latest u-tube video of the latest pose.

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I heard that @Former-Member. Watching a yoga video does NOT count as doing yoga.

Ahhh ... so @Phoenix_Rising is listening I see! Bring on the yoga video I say, and I will watch it and see if I am up to doing it. Cant promise anything though. Maybe you could consider doing the meditation side of it this week?

Sherry

@Former-Member I just posted in the yoga thread and THEN read your post here. DOLT!

I'm not as into the meditation side of yoga. Is that something you know a lot about? I think @Adge has an interest in that area. Perhaps you or he would like to share some thoughts / videos etc. about it on the yoga thread? That would be super.

Hi @Maggie - so glad the talk with your social worker went well. Her take on empathy sounded interesting. For me personally empathy is compassion, which was borne of my own suffering - I can relate to and feel for what others are going through and empathise. For me it is a matter of the heart, the spirit of genuinely caring. For those who have not suffered similar, I could imagine they would have to try and intellectualise it to attempt to relate. At least they are caring enough to try to do so. My GP is like this too which is good. He has never suffered anything like I have but tries to help and through that care he does.

My blood pressure freaked me out yesterday being at 171. My GP said it was because I mentioned the attempted suicide of my daughter and it's effects on me. And the stress of what I am under. I have been taking my blood pressure at home religiously last night and this morning. This morning it dropped low, to 114 and I am feeling a bit week. Could have also something to do with how I am weaning off HRT hormone treatment. I don't like the side effects of it.....It's leaving me feeling how you did a week ago Maggie, depressed and weak. Hopefully will feel better once the hormone levels have normalised. Will wait and see how I go....one day at a time. Am taking it easier today. At the moment everything seems too stressful, I can relate to how you feel @Former-Member

What were the results of your scans @Maggie?

@Former-Member, I volunteer for my local community centre which helps families, individuals, pensioners and the disadvantaged/homeless whom are struggling . It's so rewarding. I work in the shop section where they sell food cheaper than normal which is non for profit. People who shop there said this shop has enabled them to pay their rent etc and saved some from being homeless. Unfortunately though there is still quite a rising number of homeless because of unemployment and rising rents etc.

I work on the cashier, stocking shelves and talking to those who come in distressed or troubled. I find it so rewarding. My husband is vice chairman on the board. He does so much good and keeps the centre honest; any profits go back into the community where needed, not into the admins pockets. He pushes out the bad eggs. He is such a good man and gutsy. He meets with Politician regularly and has had mentions for his work in Parliament.

The work isn't too stressful, it's just me lately. My physical and mental health has taken a beating this year and I feel I need abit of extra time to get back on my feet. This time of year is not my favourite, the real meaning gone and it's very commercialised with all the holidayers. There is a lot of loud music and parties. So I tend to withdraw somewhat at this time of year.

Hope your hubby is feeling a bit better today.

I love the sound of your volunteer work @Former-Member. I was thinking at one stage of doing this myself. Is there a lot of older people alone in homes? So sad. What do you talk about when you see them? I think it's great what you are doing, if I were in that situation I would see the visits as the highlight of my life. I do volunteering for the same reasons as you, it does make life seem more worthwhile and it's a good feeling of fulfilment having purpose. Knowing we make a difference in people's lives. And yes, it forces me out of the house too as I could easily become a hermit. The latter usually makes me more depressed as it gives too much time to think about things. I hope to do more in the way of volunteering when I move and my health improves.

Sorry to read you have a headache and sciatia. The latter is so painful, glad you are taking it easy. Although I find if I sit too much when my back plays up it can get worse. It's a balance I think, but cannot over do it. Swimming is great with helping back problems and sciatia. Where we are moving to has an indoor and outdoor pool on the premises which I will make good use of. I am looking forward to moving as I am not happy where I am any more. It's a beautiful area which is five mins away from the seafront we are moving too, but the neighbours whom are very wealthy think they are better than everyone else and treat us and others with disrespect, play loud music parties out the front right on our bedroom window with no regard to our welfare. Not good when someone is ill. We have complained and will keep doing so as my husband does not muck around, but the stress is wearing.

Hi @utopia@Phoenix_Rising@Faith-and-Hope, hope your day is relaxing. I am off to do some cross stitch, it brings my blood pressure down to a healthy level. Craft, hobbies are so good for not only the soul but the mind and body too.

Sending a warm hug to you all.

Thank you so much @utopia for your lovely supportive post of the work we do. It is important work and that is why I push myself to go every week even though I don't always feel up to it. So many people rely on the service and for us to keep it honest and accessible for them. How are you today? ☺️

@Former-Member - yes, I can't eat take away or greasy, fatty foods. My diet is good at the moment. I decided to wean off hormones because I have been on them over 5 years now and they, even though I am not overweight, they are increasing weight gain which my tiny frame finds exhausting to carry. Otherwise they were life saving for me when going through menopause because my anxiety and depression was off the scales largely due to it. Hopefully that won't come back as I would have to commence it again. I should be good without them now though. I just have to make sure I do weight bearing exercises to keep my bones strong without HRT.

I don't live in Qld - but in the central coast region of NSW

Sorry to read you still battle flu symptoms. It was a nasty one going around this year and hard to shake off. Hope you feel better soon 💕