• About
  • Books By This Author
  • CAMPAIGNS
  • Challenges
  • Contact
  • Contents A – L
  • Contents M – Z
  • Funny Words
  • Managing The Madness
  • MBBA
  • THE ! TW SIGN

Voices of Glass

~ One man's journey through Paranoid Schizophrenia, Mental Health, Faith and Life.

Voices of Glass

Tag Archives: Heart Health

New Hope For The Suffering Heart.

16 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by boldkevin in Depression, Functionality, Healing, Heart Problems, Mental Health, Mental Illness

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Christianity and Depression, Heart Health, Heart Problems, Mental Health, Mental Illness

I wonder how you view life?  And subsequently how you view yourself within your life?

I wonder if, like some, you view your life with wonderful colours – with excitement and optimism and anticipation?

Or perhaps that is just a step too far for you? Perhaps you view life as a series of greys which are punctuated with moments of colour.  Times of joy and of excitement and happiness?

Boy Balloon HappyOr perhaps like me, you experience poor mental health or mental illness and perhaps like me, and many others like me, all the colour seems to have left, seemingly drained, from your life?

You see, I truly believe that somewhere along the line that is what has happened to me.

That somewhere along the line, (and I really can’t say when it happened) the colour left my life.  And I am convinced that it did so, not in one instance or in entirety but through a series of disconnections. A number of dis-ownerships.

Yes I still see joy.  I still see happiness, still recognise excitement – still understand and notice colour, (and yes when I really try I can even reach out and almost touch them.  But all too often I am just so disconnected from it all.

And this kind of experience, (and yes mental illness and poor mental health and the resultant experiences like I have expressed here) can have so many implications for us, can’t it?  It can impact so many areas of our lives.  And I am sure I am not alone in what I am sharing here.

One area where my mental illnesses – my poor mental health – impacted me was in respect of my physical health.  You see along with the draining of the colours came the draining of the motivation and the quality of life.  And without quality of life why bother investing on sustaining that life.

And as sad and as tragic – even fatal – such a thought pattern can be.  And as embarrassed (even ashamed) as I am to admit that I (probably subconsciously and most certainly non-deliberately) had that thought pattern.  The plain simple truth is that I did.

And as a result of that every-day essential things suffered,  My relationships suffered.  My home and also my personal hygiene became less of a consideration for me.  My diet and eating patterns also suffered and became so much more unhealthy.  Even my attention to my personal physical health suffered as I struggled to find the interest, let alone any motivation, to face it and deal with it.

Boy Heart Balloon SadAnd for someone who is as morbidly obese and who has my heart conditions – among other physical conditions – that was so very dangerous. .

As the depression and the struggle with my mental illnesses increased so my motivation decreased and my life – my heart – and yes even my attention to the health of my already damaged heart became deflated.

Not only did I stop eating healthily, I stopped eating regularly, and often – even on the few occasions when I did eat – I simply couldn’t be bothered to cook and so lived off of take-out, fast food or microwave meals.

I stopped taking my medication.  And additional to the psychiatric meds I am on some six different heart-related medications.  Not to mention the diabetes meds and other things.

All of these fell by the wayside – the same wayside which I seldom noticed as along with everything else my activity and exercise levels dropped and became almost non-existent.  The only saving grace in this being my faith and my belonging to a local church and only that and my children actually kept me going.

I wonder if you can see the pattern that I am describing here?  And even more importantly, I wonder if you can relate to the pattern that I am describing here?

Perhaps you are reading this and thinking that what I have described here, sees very extreme?  But even if you see some similarities in your own life and are not yet as far gone as I was in this downward spiral, I urge you to do what I did and to act and to turn thing around.

I have, and I am so grateful for the encouragement and support of those few who have motivated and encouraged me – even at times (times when I needed it the most) lovingly nagged me into action.

Boy Heart Balloon HappyAnd it is a tough road, I am not going to lie to you.  Not least of all because of all the damage that I have done to myself and my health and heart throughout this time of depression linked hopelessness and apathy which I experienced for so long.

But no matter how it may seem, no matter how colourless our mental health may make our lives feel, it really is worth it.

I am (when my mental illness doesn’t confuse me and mess with my memory and focus) now eating properly and regularly.

Likewise, I am taking my meds regularly and being more active – walking more, even socializing more.  And trust me, with my health and at my size, these are no simple things to do.  But it truly is worth it.  And I am even losing weight and now able to do the relatively small, seemingly minor things, which so many people take for granted. But which, for me, previously have ether been either impossible or too much effort to make doing so seem worthwhile.

And I promise you, the more I allow myself to be motivated the more I myself get motivated.

So why am I sharing this with you?  I promise you it isn’t in search of any pity or recognition.

HeartHeaderThis month (February 2015) is American Heart Month and (wearing one of my other hats as part of the Mental Health Writers Guild) I was contacted by the American Recall Center and asked to highlight the need for positive heart health and the need to have a strong, positive and healthy approach, focus and attitude to the health of our hearts.

And they have done an excellent info-graphic on this which can be found here

Something which I am more than happy to do and which I wanted to also do here on my personal site/blog.  Because I know, only too well how mental illness and/or poor mental health can also impact our physical health and because I know first-hand, just how important having a good attitude and approach to the health of our heart is.

So that is why I am sharing this with you today.  Not for any pity or any personal acknowledgement but in order to encourage those who like me so desperately need that encouragement.

I am so grateful that I (through the love, encouragement and support of other) was able to wake up to what was happening to me and to where I was going.  And so very grateful for the fact that I now have new hope.  New hope for me, for my life, for my mental and my physical health and through that, that I have found new hope for my suffering heart.

And it is my deepest hope that in some way, through what I have shared today, you – if you can personally relate to some of the things I have shared above – will also find and reach out and claim and take ownership of New Hope For The Suffering Heart – your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate this:

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Flag Counter

Books and Publications By This Author.

For more information concerning books from this author, please see the dedicated page.

Many Thanks.

Trigger Warning Sign Employment & Disclaimer

This site employs the Trigger Warning Sign.

I will, where possible, display this sign at the start of any post where I consider the subject matter to be of a sensitive nature and such that could cause possible distress to others.

Please understand that sensitivity is a very personal thing and thus I cannot guarantee that something posted on this site which I do not consider to be sensitive or to potentially cause distress (and thus does not include the displaying of this sign) will not cause distress to some. I therefor apologize in advance if this happens.

Further information concerning the Trigger Warning Sign can be found here.

Please also be aware that the author of this blog makes no claims to be an expert in this field or a mental-health practitioner of any sort.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are exactly that - simply views and opinions of the author as a mental illness sufferer and it is strongly advised that readers seek professional advice before making any decision in respect of their own mental health and/or the mental health of those in their care.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 758 other followers

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 758 other followers

Follow By Email

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Temporal Tweets

Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.

Currently Reading

30 Day Challenge Announcement Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Challenges Christianity Chronic Fatigue, CFS, CFIDS, & M.E. Depression Faith Feelings Functionality Healing Hm Funny Word It Is Isolation Journal Entry Just for Fun Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Mental Illness Paranoia Paranoid Schizophrenia Poor Physical Health Questions to a parent with mental illness Relationships schizo-affective disorder Schizophrenia Self-Doubt Self-Harming Self-Loathing Uncategorized
January 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jan    

Owner's Blogs

  • Bold Kev Art
  • Deep From Within
  • Musings of a Simple Soul
  • No More Simply Weighting
  • Questions From A Simple Soul
  • Reson8 Freedom

Other Blogs That I Like To Follow or Visit.

  • 25Pillsaday/Fibromy Awesome
  • As The Pendulum Swings
  • bi[polar] curious
  • I Was Just Thinking
  • James Claims
  • livingwithablackdog
  • Manic Muses
  • The Birds and Bees and Me
  • expressbipolar
  • The Mirth of Despair
  • Creativity From Chaos
  • An Imperfect Christian’s Blog
  • Stephen Fry’s Blog
  • Mercy Me’s Blog
  • Lordemannuel’s Blog
  • Pick Me Ups
  • The Sandwich lady
  • Danii’s place
  • Seasons Change, and Change
  • Christian Concern For Mental Health
  • Mental Health Writers Guild
  • Recent Comments

    boldkevin on “Dear You” The Fun…
    Cate Reddell on “Dear You” The Fun…
    Marie Abanga on “Dear You” The Fun…
    boldkevin on Often, What It ‘Boils…
    boldkevin on Often, What It ‘Boils…

    Blog Stats

    • 144,142 hits reached to date

    Meta

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com

    Bold Kevin

    Follow Me on Twitter

    Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.

    Join Us on Facebook

    Join Us on Facebook

    ‘Just One Touch’ Campaign 2012

    Voices of Glass is proud to support the 'Just One Touch' Campaign 2012

    Further information concening the 'Just One Touch' campaign 2012 can be found here.

    Blog For Mental Health 2013

    Voices of Glass is honored to support the 'Blog For Mental Health 2013 Project"

    Further information concerning the 'Blog For Mental Health 2013 Project" can be found here.

    Mental Health Writers’ Guild Member Blog 2016

    Voices of Glass is proud to be a member of the Mental Health Writers' Guild.

    Further information concerning the Guild can be found here.

    Christian Concern For Mental Health

    Voices of Glass is proud to be a supporter of Christian Concern For Mental Health

    Further information concening Christian Concern For Mental Health can be found at CCFMH.

    Recipient of The Versatile Blogger Award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of "The Versatile Blogger Award"

    Many thanks go out to Lulu from the As The Pendulum Swings for her having taken the time to nominate this blog.

    Blog For Mental Health 2012

    This blog and it's Blogger is Fully Committed to the "Blog For Mental Health 2012 Project!

    See here for more details: The Blog For Mental Health 2012 Project - I'm in

    Liebster Blog Award

    An additional blessing was that this website/blog should be a recipient of "The Liebster Blog Award"

    Many thanks go out to Fractured Angel from the The Mirth Of Despair for her having taken the time to nominate this blog.

    Reader Appreciation Award Recipient

    An additional blessing was that this website/blog should be a recipient of "Reader Appreciation Award"

    Many thanks go out to Fractured Angel from the The Mirth Of Despair for her having taken the time to nominate this blog.

    Recipient of the Inspiring Blog Award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of an "Inspiring Blog Award" My deep appreication goes to Carla Renee from the Seasons Change, and change for her having considered me and for her very kind words.

    Recipient of An Outstanding Blogger Award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of an "Outstanding Blogger Award"

    My deep appreication goes to Carla Renee from the Seasons Change, and change for her having considered me and for her very kind words.

    Recipient of the One Lovely Blog Award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of an "One Lovely Blog Award"

    My deep appreication goes to Eileen from the ...But She's Crazy for her having considered me and for her very kind words. I would also like to thank bpshielsy from the bipolar place for also nominatinfg this blog for this award,

    Recipient of a Thankyou For Writing award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of an "One Lovely Blog Award"

    My deep appreication goes to Carla from the Seasons Change, and So Have I for her having considered me and for her very kind words.

    Recipient of The Very Inspiring Blogger Award

    I am so very blessed that this website/blog should be a recipient of an "Very Inspiring Blogger Award"

    My deep appreication goes to Cate from the Infinite Sadness... or Hope? and to Kathy from bipolar and breastless for thier having considered me and for thier very kind words.

    Recipient of a Courageous Coffessional Award

    I am so very blessed that one of my pieces on this website/blog should be a recipient of an "Courageous Confessional Award"

    My deep appreication goes to Carol ann from the Many of US for her nominating that piece and for HIR from Courageous Confessionals for accepting the piece and bestowing the award.

    Recipient of the Reality Blog Award

    I am so very blessed that this blog should receive the "Reality Blog Award"

    My sincere thanks go to Carolyn from the The Hurt Healer for her nominating thblog and bestowing the award.

    Recipient of the Brilliant Blogger Award

    I am so very blessed that this blog should be a recipient of the Brilliant Blog Award.

    My deep appreciation goes to Cate from Infinite Sadness or... Hope! for her giving the award to this blog

    Supporting Those Who Self-Hamer.

    This Blog and it's Blogger is also committed to supporting the sufferers of Self-Harm & their Carers.

    Self-Harm (SH), Deliberate Self-Harm, (DSH) and Self-Injuring and those who do it need love, empathy, understanding, and support not judgemental attitudes, ridicule and rejection.

    Please See: Resonate Freedom - Supporting Sufferers

    Concerning Mental Health Issues

    Please be advised that the purpose of this blog is to provide a journal of the way that my mental health impacts my life, my relationships and my faith. Unless I specifically recommend a course of action within a post or article I strongly recommend that no one try to do the things I mention or tries to copy the behavior I record within this blog. If you believe that you or a friend or loved one may be suffering from mental health issues I strongly recommend that you seek professional help. God Bless.

    Teens For Global Mental Health Awareness

    This Blog and it's Blogger is also committed to supporting the Teens 4 Global Mental Health Awareness

    Please See: Teens For Global Mental Health Awareness

    Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

    Creative Commons License
    "Voices of Glass" and all works contained there within by boldkevin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    Based on a work at voicesofglass.wordpress.com.
    Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://creativecommons.org.

    Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

    Cancel
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    %d bloggers like this: