The Black Dog, the Dark Cloud, the Bell Jar. Whatever analogy fits your demon, you can't ignore it

Hello guys,

I've seriously been in two minds about making a post today. For the most part, I've tried to keep this blog as upbeat and positive as possible. But of course when dealing with something like mental illness, that's not always feasible.

I didn't want to post anything today because basically, today has been a bad day. Some of my more difficult posts had been manageable because the feelings had passed. Today, what I'm describing is exactly how I feel right now, and I'm feeling pretty vulnerable. But of course, it's times like these more than ever when people need to be able to open up and be honest about they are affected.

Check out this helpful video one of my university friends shared through social media today, it explains how depression functions through a concise analogy.

I feel better

A moderate case of the Eff-Its (EDIT: And how moaning about it has got me motivated)

Well, it's finally come to the day I can reuse my spinning plates analogy. I've let a particularly important one smash today.

I've been following an exercise plan to the absolute tee for the past five weeks. And I am happy to report I am seeing results to a recognizable extent. My legs are subtly firmer, my ability to do burpees are markedly improved and I can now do three whole manly push ups in a row.

Even Goodness Needs Moderation

I am poorly sick today!

In a quest to increase my confidence and battle anxiety, I'd taken on an exercise regime which involves High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). 

Clarke Carlisle Suicide Attempt: Mental illness doesn't discriminate, neither should we

Quite a sombre post today folks. Many football fans will have seen the recent devastating news that Clarke Carlisle, a former Burnley FC defender and TV pundit, admitted he had attempted suicide by jumping in front of a lorry last December.

Stock Photo: Mental illness has the potential to affect
anyone from any background

You can read the story on the BBC here.

How to fill your mind with your mind: Mindfulness meditation and taking your mind back from anxiety

Hello to you reader,

Two things I'm stoked to share with you today.

Firstly, today I revisited a very powerful technique called mindfulness. You may have heard of it before, but if you haven't, a boiled down version is that it is a form of mediation. Now, for those who instantly think 'Yeah right, like I have an hour a day to stare at a lit candle making 'Ommmm' sounds,' bear with me a second.

Stock Photo: Mindfulness can help reduce the need to put your head in your hands.
Unless your full time job is Hide and Seek Champion.