depression

I can’t remember where I first came across Buddy Boxes, it may have been on another blog or a Facebook post but I’m so glad I did.

Blurt are a charity increasing awareness and understanding of depression. They have various resources on their website and one of their initiatives is the Buddy Box. This is a box of self care items which can be bought as a one off or a monthly subscription. I bought one for my friend who was recovering from surgery a couple of months ago and got one for myself this month. You can order throughout the month and the box will be dispatched on the 9th of the following month. Each box has a theme and this month’s is “Out of This World”.

Firstly I just love the box and the tissue paper, they seriously commit to the theme.

First up is this tea (rrp £3.50) from We Are Tea, you get 12 bags (posh ones like teapigs) that contain echinacea, nettle, berries and calendula petals. I love tea so this has gone into my locker at work so I can enjoy a cup everyday.

Baths are one of the best ways to relax and I love how this bath bomb (rrp £2.99) from Bomb Cosmetics fits into the theme of the box. I can’t wait to try it out!

I’m interested in reading this self help book You Are A Badass (rrp £9.99) by Jen Sincero, it looks like an easy read and quite funny and entertaining.

I was thinking what I could use this Don’t Be Afraid To Shine pouch (rrp £7.50) for and I’ve decided I can put my sewing bits in it when I carry them around in my handbag.

I think you get a pin badge in every buddy box that matches the theme. This cat in a rocket is really cute and it’s going onto my jacket sharpish.

There is also a little zine each month explaining the theme.

This cute postcard is going up on my fridge.

And there’s also this cute card which tells you about all the products on the back.

This is not something I would subscribe to monthly as that’s not my thing, but I think it’s cool to buy one every once in a while when you think you need a little help with your self care or to buy for a friend who you think could do with a few nice things. Another thing to note is not all the items are guaranteed to be vegan, although all the items in this box were.

What do you think of the Buddy Box? What you consider buying one for yourself or a friend? What are your self care tips?Let me know in the comments below.

Plumes x

I have suffered from anxiety issues since I was a teenager and have had a few flair ups over the years, the latest being through my Dad’s illness, death and aftermath. I was prescribed anti-depressants with an aim of being on these for a short period and had a number of one-to-one CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) sessions. I have being reducing my medication gradually month by month (with my GP’s supervision) and as of last week I have come off completely.

Neither my Husband or I drive so we walk practically everywhere and if you read my weekly food round ups you will have probably read I go swimming with my Mum at least once a week. I have enjoyed these forms of exercise but felt I needed something that got my heart pumping a bit more. I have also wanted to get into running but have been pretty terrible at it (!) so I was really excited when I started reading about Couch to 5k.

If you aren’t aware this is a nine week programme developed by the NHS which aims to get you running for 30 minutes but the end of it. In week one you start by running for 60 seconds followed by 90 seconds this alternates for 20 minutes. This builds up so you are doing more running and less walking each week. You do three runs a week before you move on to the next week. You can download podcasts and a friendly voice called Laura tells you when to run and when to walk as well as giving lots of tips and encouragement. (If you download the app you get a choice of “voices” and can play your own music). There is also this forum where you can chat to other participants and gain and give advice.

I have just finished week four where I have been running for 3 minutes, walking for 90 seconds, running for 5 minutes then walking for 2 1/2 minutes and repeating the cycle. Before the first run this week I was really anxious as to whether I would be able to run for that amount of time but I just took it slow and steady and I did it! It does get easier as you build up stamina and run longer with more ease each week.

There is a park less than a minute from my flat where I run. Not only do the endorphins I get from running help with my mood and general mental health, I think being in a natural setting with lots of green and trees helps too, something I wouldn’t get from being on a treadmill in a gym. I also enjoy seeing all the dogs in the park even if I am sure some of them are on a mission to trip me up! I enjoy seeing the other joggers in the park too and I am tempted to high five them as we pass eachother although I haven’t gained the courage to try it just yet!

I’m really encouraged by how far I’ve come. Once I’ve completed the programme I’m going to start doing Parkrun. These are 5k runs which are held in parks all round the country every Saturday and are completely free to enter. I took part in one in 2012 and thought never again! But now I’m building up my stamina slowly week by week I’m sure it’ll be more manageable this time around!

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What are your favourites forms of exercise? Have you tried anything new to you recently?

Plumes x

The World according to Plumes

One woman striving to live a more ethical life.

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Buddy Box from Blurt

Exercise and Mental Health