Just ordered an Apple Watch (Series 8): Mental health uses?

[Night Spring]

Sure the watch can help with exercise, walking etc. But I would get a bible and start reading the New Testament.
@Night Spring is correct. Find a christian councellor.

Well, not necessarily Christian. I was raised Catholic, but have relatives who are Buddhist, and had the good fortune to meet a very good Zen master when I was in graduate school, and spend a month doing zazen at his temple. Both systems have good points to offer, for me. For other people, they may or may not work. Judaism too, has great insights to offer, as I've found in following a Jewish rabbi's Twitter account. So while I recommend looking to religious people for psychological insight, I don't recommend any particular religion. Find someone that resonates with you, that's the important thing.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Sure the watch can help with exercise, walking etc. But I would get a bible and start reading the New Testament.
@Night Spring is correct. Find a christian councellor.

I actually exchanged phone numbers with one of the ambulance transport fellas who took me from the general hospital to the psych ward.

He’s Muslim. I was Hindu, but I’ve now reverted back to C of E (Church of England/Christian.)

Me and this fella have spoken at lengths, and he recommended I read the Old Testament, not the New?

I’ve downloaded a bible app, which can read it to me.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[GuruZac]

Mental health has been my issue too for years, around 20 years. Lost my dad in 2008 and got myself in a depression spiral that lasted 5 years. Lost my job in 2009 and havent been able to get a job since. Been uneployed for 13 years 7 months. Lost my mom in 2021. Been really close to just ending it all and leaving earth behind. To me there is no gadget that would help me. Sold my apple watch recently because it served zero purpose in my life. Just sending worthless job applications is eating me alive and destroying me mentally. After thousands of applications Im still unemployed. I have one degree but it turned out to be worthless. I have no mental health to get a new degree. Just feeling worthless 24/7, parents are gone, no job in sight. No money. Havent even been in a reliationship yet and Im almost 37yo. Just wanted to post this because I could relate to OP.

I’m so very sorry mate. Although you may not feel it, you’re valued as a person here. As others have pointed out, pursuing the spiritual path may bring Renewed purpose or joy for you. Have you read any of Self-Realization Fellowship’s stuff? Kriya yoga?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Well, not necessarily Christian. I was raised Catholic, but have relatives who are Buddhist, and had the good fortune to meet a very good Zen master when I was in graduate school, and spend a month doing zazen at his temple. Both systems have good points to offer, for me. For other people, they may or may not work. Judaism too, has great insights to offer, as I've found in following a Jewish rabbi's Twitter account. So while I recommend looking to religious people for psychological insight, I don't recommend any particular religion. Find someone that resonates with you, that's the important thing.

I think the problem with many health professionals is that they lack spiritual/religious grounding. The best psychological insights I've heard have been in lectures by religious people. Theology, at its best, is deep reflection into the human state. Unfortunately, most of what passes for religion out there is either people being morality police or taking advantage of vulnerable people, so it's hard to find the real deal. And since religion is deeply personal, what resonates for me won't necessarily work for other people.

But yes, the health profession has never learned that the best experts are the patients actually experiencing the problems. I was born with cerebral palsy, and my mother initially took me to see doctors to help me gain more mobility. But the doctors started taking notes from my mom about things she was doing to help me! At that point, my mom decided the doctors were useless, and stopped going. 😆

I thought I remembered you having a physical disability, but didn’t want to be rude & ask.

I’m glad you’re doing well, and you seem very good spirited so I’m pleased for you.

As for not bothering with doctors, I’m meant to be seeing a psychiatrist next week (I’m currently under the Home Treatment Team) but I don’t trust them, so may also not bother.

They are phoning me tomorrow, so I may just tell them to discharge me.

Fool me once & all that!

 

[Night Spring]

Me and this fella have spoken at lengths, and he recommended I read the Old Testament, not the New?

And I just saw an YouTube video, where the point seemed to be you needed to read both! 😁

Like I keep saying, all three approaches have something different to offer. But I think what is really needed is to have a living person who embodies whichever approach it is. So if I were you, I'd ask your Muslim friend for a recommendation for which part of the Old Testament to begin with -- it's a pretty long and varied collection of books, after all -- and start from there.

 

[Night Spring]

They are phoning me tomorrow, so I may just tell them to discharge me.

Fool me once & all that!

Please just make sure you are able to get medical help if needed. Psychological counseling through the health system may not be helpful to you, but if you ever have a physical problem/illness, I hope you can get them to take care of that, without getting sucked into discussions of your mental health. 😕

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I stopped taking the medication for about a year.

I think I was quite unwell.

Still am.

They restarted me on it, whilst on the psych ward. However, I just weighed myself and I’ve put on half a stone!

I may stop taking it again.

I don’t even think it’s helping me anymore.

 

[Dealmans]

I actually exchanged phone numbers with one of the ambulance transport fellas who took me from the general hospital to the psych ward.

He’s Muslim. I was Hindu, but I’ve now reverted back to C of E (Church of England/Christian.)

Me and this fella have spoken at lengths, and he recommended I read the Old Testament, not the New?

I’ve downloaded a bible app, which can read it to me.

Thanks for the advice.

Sure both, try psalms/proverbs in the old testament, John, Acts, in the New Testament for starters.
There is a reason they would recommend the Old Testament but no point getting into it here, you sound smart enough you will work it out.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Sure both, try psalms/proverbs in the old testament, John, Acts, in the New Testament for starters.
There is a reason they would recommend the Old Testament but no point getting into it here, you sound smart enough you will work it out.

Thanks .

 

[Night Spring]

Sure both, try psalms/proverbs in the old testament, John, Acts, in the New Testament for starters.
There is a reason they would recommend the Old Testament but no point getting into it here, you sound smart enough you will work it out.

No need to be coy about it, it's because Muslims don't believe Jesus is the Messiah, and New Testament isn't a sacred text to them. Whereas Old Testament is part of their tradition. We can talk about that here, surely?

 

[everybodylovesramen]

Learn to wear it while sleeping, (use Theater Mode in control center to turn off all inadvertent lights and notifications), and use Autosleep app to measure and react to all sleeping issue. Change behaviors to get better and better sleep readings...well rested individuals trend toward better mental health. Challenge yourself daily to accomplish any wellness goals, use the breath app while forces you to stop and meditate at regular times. I load my favorite music playlists to my watch and sync my Airpods Pro to it. I typically only wear one Airpod because I don't want to isolate myself too much from the real world. Any, and I mean any followup questions, search for "iphone tricks" on FB, it is a group with 245,000 members...I am the lead admin...I will answer any questions sent my way. Good luck.

the autosleep & heartwatch apps were life savers for me - almost literally.

i wasn’t aware of a contraindication between my Rx and taking claritin-d & my heart health and quality of sleep has improved tenfold. now i’m obsessed with closing my rings for sleep?!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

the autosleep & heartwatch apps were life savers for me - almost literally.

i wasn’t aware of a contraindication between my Rx and taking claritin-d & my heart health and quality of sleep has improved tenfold. now i’m obsessed with closing my rings for sleep?!

I have insomnia (tinnitus on top of everything else.)

Can you recommend any good apps/methods for getting to sleep?

Thank you.

 

[Trhodezy]

As per the title.

Just came out of hospital, due to something I did because of my mental health.

Need to turn my life around, and thought the AW would help me to do so.

Apart from Apple Fitness, what other steps (no pun intended) do you think I could benefit from, re the Apple Watch?

Wishing you all well, and thanks in advance for any responses.

Monitor your water, using WaterMinder app. Mindfulness, as other have said, works wonders. I would also monitor your heart rate; exercise and set small goals like resting heart rate. The single biggest thing that has worked wonders for me is fasting - look up the science behind it both for your brain, and body - I recommend the Fastic app for that.

All those little things will help you mentally and physically. Seriously. Good luck brother.

Thom
Oxford, UK.

 

[Trhodezy]

I have insomnia (tinnitus on top of everything else.)

Can you recommend any good apps/methods for getting to sleep?

Thank you.

Headspace, white noise has been shown to help tinnitus sufferers with getting off to sleep. Something dull and elaborate; rainfall. 🙂

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Reading some of these posts have brought me to tears — hearing the pain that some of you have endured, understanding in some ways, wishing I could help. I know about losing a parent, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, having unpleasant thoughts. I’m here for anyone.

The find the Watch to be a good tool for monitoring my wellness. Setting goals, tracking my progress in achieving them, and motivating me along the way. There is some work involved in setting it up to work best for each individual, especially when tapping into focus modes and Shortcuts — neat stuff.

A few notes, in no particular order:

-Sleep is something I have become very interested in — specifically the quality and not the quantity, timing of sleep cycles, how my diet relates to the quality of sleep — it seems to be a major factor in mental health. I read that a person can survive longer on no food vs no sleep. I really like the new sleep metrics on the Watch.

-It is easy to get stuck in a routine. I am a bit of a hermit myself — I usually drive only once every 1-2 weeks. I tend to workout indoors and walk outside at night, not seeing others. Breaking up this routine even slightly is helpful. Changing my environment would do this — going to a park, a library, a museum.

-Developing a personal relationship with God has been essential for my wellbeing. Studying the Bible, meditating on what I read, speaking to God through prayer — seeking guidance and wisdom, not relying on my own understanding. I like the JW Library app for Bible study, but I also use PDF Expert on Mac and iOS/iPadOS. There are a lot of old scanned books on Archive that can be downloaded as well. Joining in with a group to study would be ideal, but there is nothing wrong with studying on your own if you are more comfortable with this.

-Physical exercise is very important — even just walking — any kind of movement. I like the quote — “emotion is created by motion”.

-I sometimes play sleep music on Music during the night. I haven’t seen how this affects my sleep metrics yet, but the music does seem to help with my insomnia.

-If you made it to the end I my post, you must have patience — and that is a virtue 😉

 

[Dealmans]

Reading some of these posts have brought me to tears — hearing the pain that some of you have endured, understanding in some ways, wishing I could help. I know about losing a parent, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, having unpleasant thoughts. I’m here for anyone.

yeah those things can add up, I lost my mother in February quickly over a 6 week period, and now my MIL is in her last days, horrible to see as she is in a lot of pain.

 

[Lioness~]

Hey Guys…..

I lost both my brother and father 2008, my mother died when I was a child, so I know the not so good place we find ourselves in at those times. I got help from my church during the first time of crisis. Forever grateful.
The time of crisis is one place, but after the more acute place it comes another day that can be a place of emptiness and a different place of difficulyy, that is not less painful at all, that needs to be filled with meaning, routines etc.

I re-found meditation during these years. Not entirely new as I started my spiritual quest in my 20's after a profound NDE (long story).

Insight Timer is a good meditation app, a very good app to start with. Also a friendly community for people new to meditation.

Take care of yourselves, it comes light after darkness.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Apart from Apple Fitness, what other steps (no pun intended) do you think I could benefit from, re the Apple Watch?

I don’t have any specific tips, besides the obvious that sleep and exercise is important, and if the watch can help increase the amount or quality in any little way it is worth the investment. (Actually, if just having it makes you any happier at all, that’s also a win.)

I mostly just wanted to wish you good luck!

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Monitor your water, using WaterMinder app. Mindfulness, as other have said, works wonders. I would also monitor your heart rate; exercise and set small goals like resting heart rate. The single biggest thing that has worked wonders for me is fasting - look up the science behind it both for your brain, and body - I recommend the Fastic app for that.

All those little things will help you mentally and physically. Seriously. Good luck brother.

Thom
Oxford, UK.

I never considered fasting as having an effect on any of this. Can you share your fasting routine?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Monitor your water, using WaterMinder app. Mindfulness, as other have said, works wonders. I would also monitor your heart rate; exercise and set small goals like resting heart rate. The single biggest thing that has worked wonders for me is fasting - look up the science behind it both for your brain, and body - I recommend the Fastic app for that.

All those little things will help you mentally and physically. Seriously. Good luck brother.

Thom
Oxford, UK.

Many thanks, Thom.

I have used intermittent fasting for years, since I went to gym about 7 years ago. Had to stop because of injury.

I was actually going to cancel the AW order (again!) but I think I’m going to leave the order and try those apps you suggested.

Thanks again.

Tommy
London, England

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I have insomnia (tinnitus on top of everything else.)

Can you recommend any good apps/methods for getting to sleep?

Thank you.

The AutoSleep app mentioned by others sounds incredible — I will be trying this myself (along with their heart-related app).

I sometimes have the “Sleep Sounds” playlist playing on Music while I sleep. If anyone knows if music playing while sleeping helps or hinders sleep quality, please comment.

As for supplements, I sometimes take a valerian tincture, and sometimes Bach floral remedies. These shouldn’t be used with any medication. I also don’t use them every night — just as something short term to help with resetting my body clock.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Reading some of these posts have brought me to tears — hearing the pain that some of you have endured, understanding in some ways, wishing I could help. I know about losing a parent, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, having unpleasant thoughts. I’m here for anyone.

The find the Watch to be a good tool for monitoring my wellness. Setting goals, tracking my progress in achieving them, and motivating me along the way. There is some work involved in setting it up to work best for each individual, especially when tapping into focus modes and Shortcuts — neat stuff.

A few notes, in no particular order:

-Sleep is something I have become very interested in — specifically the quality and not the quantity, timing of sleep cycles, how my diet relates to the quality of sleep — it seems to be a major factor in mental health. I read that a person can survive longer on no food vs no sleep. I really like the new sleep metrics on the Watch.

-It is easy to get stuck in a routine. I am a bit of a hermit myself — I usually drive only once every 1-2 weeks. I tend to workout indoors and walk outside at night, not seeing others. Breaking up this routine even slightly is helpful. Changing my environment would do this — going to a park, a library, a museum.

-Developing a personal relationship with God has been essential for my wellbeing. Studying the Bible, meditating on what I read, speaking to God through prayer — seeking guidance and wisdom, not relying on my own understanding. I like the JW Library app for Bible study, but I also use PDF Expert on Mac and iOS/iPadOS. There are a lot of old scanned books on Archive that can be downloaded as well. Joining in with a group to study would be ideal, but there is nothing wrong with studying on your own if you are more comfortable with this.

-Physical exercise is very important — even just walking — any kind of movement. I like the quote — “emotion is created by motion”.

-I sometimes play sleep music on Music during the night. I haven’t seen how this affects my sleep metrics yet, but the music does seem to help with my insomnia.

-If you made it to the end I my post, you must have patience — and that is a virtue 😉

Loved your post, thank you.

I have noted everything you said, and appreciate all of your advice.

“emotion is created by motion” is a fabulous quote.

I’ve downloaded a bible app that reads the bible to you. I listened to the first chapter of the Old Testament, and it sounded kind of weird? The Muslim fella who I stayed in touch with, said that it would sound a bit odd to me, as it was initially written in Hebrew, thus the translation can sound a bit strange.

Thanks again, and good luck on your own journey.

Tommy

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I never considered fasting as having an effect on any of this. Can you share your fasting routine?

Try intermittent fasting.

I wouldn’t eat anything during the day, then would have an evening meal.

You soon get used to it. It’s a good way to keep you regular!

 

[RPhoto]

This is one of the most wholesome threads I’ve read on here for a long time. It’s lovely to see members sharing and looking out for each other.

For those suffering with insomnia, I can also recommend the sleep stories section of the app Calm. Find one that’s being read by a soothing voice and they can be excellent for helping you nod off. As the narrator gets further in to the story they speak slower and more quietly, it’s very calming.

There is also an ambient sounds area, I sometimes listen to the sound of rain if I can’t get to sleep. That also helps.

Take care everyone.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Hey Guys…..

I lost both my brother and father 2008, my mother died when I was a child, so I know the not so good place we find ourselves in at those times. I got help from my church during the first time of crisis. Forever grateful.
The time of crisis is one place, but after the more acute place it comes another day that can be a place of emptiness and a different place of difficulyy, that is not less painful at all, that needs to be filled with meaning, routines etc.

I re-found meditation during these years. Not entirely new as I started my spiritual quest in my 20's after a profound NDE (long story).

Insight Timer is a good meditation app, a very good app to start with. Also a friendly community for people new to meditation.

Take care of yourselves, it comes light after darkness.

Thank you for sharing your story, my friend.

I’m sorry to hear of your loss, but I am here if you need me.

Can you believe the amount of love shown in these comments? Can you believe this is a MacRumors forum?

I’m not into football (soccer) but if I was then I’d support Millwall, which is my local team. I mention this, because they are known as the Lions, and the women’s team is known as the Lionesses!

Look after yourself.