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How is your mental health?
6 year(s) ago • 1350 views • 14 replies
CPBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
balancing my mental health, with everyday life has always be so doable with training and the tribal atmosphere BJJ offers. It’s currently been about 3 weeks since I’ve live trained in a group and it’s really starting to get to me. Training saved my life and that is not an understatement. People who know me personally most likely think i am a nut, and in some forms I’ll agree. In 2013 i ended a long battle with substance abuse and self medication. I don’t know if that would have been possible if I hadn’t achieved my purple belt. BJJ was the only thing on the other side of life I yearned to get sober and back involved in. Fast forward, life has been amazing. Train my ass off; I’m married; own two businesses and help other men with the work I do.
But this past month has shot a blaring hole in what i consider to be the pieces to the pie of keeping me well. I have a very nice padded 20x15 training room and I’m slowly losing the get up and go. I don’t know if anyone else understands but it’s like this burning angst to just go off and grind yourself into the mat. The angst is still there but I’m losing to heat to get after it and train by myself. Boom, sleeping less, then eating less, letting work shit boil over, taking work shit home. It’s terrible. I’m ranting and raving at this point but A) kind words, advice and encouragement is always great, and B) please use this to also share where you are at with your mental health and what you are doing to combat it?
I’ve starred a Tik Tok social media thing and I’m actually really really enjoying taking videos of my bull dogs. I love them so much.
But this past month has shot a blaring hole in what i consider to be the pieces to the pie of keeping me well. I have a very nice padded 20x15 training room and I’m slowly losing the get up and go. I don’t know if anyone else understands but it’s like this burning angst to just go off and grind yourself into the mat. The angst is still there but I’m losing to heat to get after it and train by myself. Boom, sleeping less, then eating less, letting work shit boil over, taking work shit home. It’s terrible. I’m ranting and raving at this point but A) kind words, advice and encouragement is always great, and B) please use this to also share where you are at with your mental health and what you are doing to combat it?
I’ve starred a Tik Tok social media thing and I’m actually really really enjoying taking videos of my bull dogs. I love them so much.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
balancing my mental health, with everyday life has always be so doable with training and the tribal atmosphere BJJ offers. It’s currently been about 3 weeks since I’ve live trained in a group and it’s really starting to get to me. Training saved my life and that is not an understatement. People who know me personally most likely think i am a nut, and in some forms I’ll agree. In 2013 i ended a long battle with substance abuse and self medication. I don’t know if that would have been possible if I hadn’t achieved my purple belt. BJJ was the only thing on the other side of life I yearned to get sober and back involved in. Fast forward, life has been amazing. Train my ass off; I’m married; own two businesses and help other men with the work I do. But this past month has shot a blaring hole in what i consider to be the pieces to the pie of keeping me well. I have a very nice padded 20x15 training room and I’m slowly losing the get up and go. I don’t know if anyone else understands but it’s like this burning angst to just go off and grind yourself into the mat. The angst is still there but I’m losing to heat to get after it and train by myself. Boom, sleeping less, then eating less, letting work shit boil over, taking work shit home. It’s terrible. I’m ranting and raving at this point but A) kind words, advice and encouragement is always great, and B) please use this to also share where you are at with your mental health and what you are doing to combat it? I’ve starred a Tik Tok social media thing and I’m actually really really enjoying taking videos of my bull dogs. I love them so much.
I don't have any words that I can offer to bring you some comfort. All I can ask is that you hang in there. This will pass and you will be back to training with your circle with more passion then ever. In the meantiime, focus on other things like your new TikTok vids. I have a rule that has helped me deal with stress at work (manage my family construction business) I only allow myself to worry about things I can control or things that I screwed up myself. Everything else I do not worry about as I can't control it anyway. It has helped me in the 20 years that I have been doing my job. Anyway, I wish I could offer more.
ARBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Mine is not great. I’ve been drinking so much, every day. I’ve gained 10lbs and it’s all beer and whiskey... I’m drinking right now.
CPBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Mine is not great. I’ve been drinking so much, every day. I’ve gained 10lbs and it’s all beer and whiskey... I’m drinking right now.
You need to come off it man before you get too caught up! I’m trying to stay strong and I’ve been just calling lots of people to stay busy. Trying not to get too sucked into Facebook and the news but it’s tough when you feel shut in! I’m trying to work on my diet by eating more and doing lots of ab stuff. I’ll send you good vibes Anthony
DCBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Arrgh! Intensly frustrated... I've found myself getting grumpy over stupid shit. It's been 4 weeks since I've done any real training. Luckily my wife recently took up BJJ so I can do some things but there are many years experience between us, if I actually rolled with her it would be quite demoralising... I know slowing things down and working your bad side and all that other hippy jits shit and that's all well an good... when in five minutes the round will be over and you can have a go with someone else.
Heather has also had a bad stomach ache the last 2-3 weeks so I've had to be even nicer. (insert sigh). Luckily though we have been doing this lockdown with my family and I have been able to do some videos for my students, which has been fun. Taken the opportunity to do running again, which I hate but it is good for you I suppose. This platform to has been quite helpful, getting others to sign up and working on my profile (avoiding my study) verifying accounts and so on... Basically I've just been distracting myself. My coach is putting on another virtual class tonight so we'll see if we have enough data to check that out, the cons of living rural. Been thinking about setting up a website as well if any of you have experience with that I'd like to hear about it, looked into some providers and I think I like the simplicity of Squarespace. (again, avoiding my study, I'll get to some of that soon).
My advice... Keep busy and like I said on my clubs Facebook page:
Keep in touch with your training partners, we make strong bonds at Bjj and in situations such as this it can be easy to feel isolated.
Kia Kaha bro (stay strong brother)
"This to shall pass" and we will all be training again soon.
Feel free to message me directly, anyone, I'm happy to help, however I can.
Heather has also had a bad stomach ache the last 2-3 weeks so I've had to be even nicer. (insert sigh). Luckily though we have been doing this lockdown with my family and I have been able to do some videos for my students, which has been fun. Taken the opportunity to do running again, which I hate but it is good for you I suppose. This platform to has been quite helpful, getting others to sign up and working on my profile (avoiding my study) verifying accounts and so on... Basically I've just been distracting myself. My coach is putting on another virtual class tonight so we'll see if we have enough data to check that out, the cons of living rural. Been thinking about setting up a website as well if any of you have experience with that I'd like to hear about it, looked into some providers and I think I like the simplicity of Squarespace. (again, avoiding my study, I'll get to some of that soon).
My advice... Keep busy and like I said on my clubs Facebook page:
Keep in touch with your training partners, we make strong bonds at Bjj and in situations such as this it can be easy to feel isolated.
Kia Kaha bro (stay strong brother)
"This to shall pass" and we will all be training again soon.
Feel free to message me directly, anyone, I'm happy to help, however I can.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Guys, stay strong! Keep the body strong! It will help with the mind also. You can get better at jiu-jitsu with visualisation and simple micro drills. If you have a partner to drill and roll with, even better. If you are unsure about what to do or drill, that's not a problem either. This forum is full of good coaches. Ask anybody! You could even take on online coaching. And I bet just talking with people, even random people, will be good.
Find new hobbies. Drawing, painting, photography, woodworks... There is always something constructive to do. Just reach out and you'll find it.
I've always been pretty isolated and in my own head. That changed a lot when I started training, but now that it's not an option any more, I'm more inside my own head again and doing the things that I used to do before jiu-jitsu. So basically walking in the woods, playing video games and lifting. I'm lucky to be able to play video games with my grappling friends too, which is great. Or I can play with random people on the internet, who share my passion. Haha. When I was a kid, my mom always told me to stop plaing games and go out, hang with friends... She doesn't mind me staying at home now, playing on the computer.
Find new hobbies. Drawing, painting, photography, woodworks... There is always something constructive to do. Just reach out and you'll find it.
I've always been pretty isolated and in my own head. That changed a lot when I started training, but now that it's not an option any more, I'm more inside my own head again and doing the things that I used to do before jiu-jitsu. So basically walking in the woods, playing video games and lifting. I'm lucky to be able to play video games with my grappling friends too, which is great. Or I can play with random people on the internet, who share my passion. Haha. When I was a kid, my mom always told me to stop plaing games and go out, hang with friends... She doesn't mind me staying at home now, playing on the computer.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I've been running cardio and solo drill classes for my crew a couple of times a week over zoom. It really helps to be able to see and talk to my team and have some accountability to keep active. I don't need anything special to run it, just a laptop or even a phone is enough to get started with a free account.
Even if you're not a coach, message some team mates and organise a group workout. It's so important to maintain the connections we all rely on imo.
Even if you're not a coach, message some team mates and organise a group workout. It's so important to maintain the connections we all rely on imo.
MGPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I recently started a job I knew I would hate with the hopes of moving to a better position within the same organization. Turns out I hate it more than I thought I would and I’m considering abandoning the whole idea and starting at square one.
This is after quitting my job for a really good opportunity out of state only to end up turning it down when my wife decided she was no longer interested in moving. Starting to question a lot of life choices lol.
This is after quitting my job for a really good opportunity out of state only to end up turning it down when my wife decided she was no longer interested in moving. Starting to question a lot of life choices lol.
NCBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
balancing my mental health, with everyday life has always be so doable with training and the tribal atmosphere BJJ offers. It’s currently been about 3 weeks since I’ve live trained in a group and it’s really starting to get to me. Training saved my life and that is not an understatement. People who know me personally most likely think i am a nut, and in some forms I’ll agree. In 2013 i ended a long battle with substance abuse and self medication. I don’t know if that would have been possible if I hadn’t achieved my purple belt. BJJ was the only thing on the other side of life I yearned to get sober and back involved in. Fast forward, life has been amazing. Train my ass off; I’m married; own two businesses and help other men with the work I do. But this past month has shot a blaring hole in what i consider to be the pieces to the pie of keeping me well. I have a very nice padded 20x15 training room and I’m slowly losing the get up and go. I don’t know if anyone else understands but it’s like this burning angst to just go off and grind yourself into the mat. The angst is still there but I’m losing to heat to get after it and train by myself. Boom, sleeping less, then eating less, letting work shit boil over, taking work shit home. It’s terrible. I’m ranting and raving at this point but A) kind words, advice and encouragement is always great, and B) please use this to also share where you are at with your mental health and what you are doing to combat it? I’ve starred a Tik Tok social media thing and I’m actually really really enjoying taking videos of my bull dogs. I love them so much.
I'm sure it has been an adjustment for everyone to be off the mats. For me work has basically come to a halt and being paid flat rate on production has certainly added extra stress. I had just lost one off my 2 dogs of 10yrs last week so it's been rough. It is a temporary low right now and it will pass. Hang in there and take in time spent with your dogs. They are great therapy.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm feeling the joke of "After this quarantine there's going to be a baby boom... But it'll consist of only firstborn children..."
Being locked in with 3 tiny hoomans is quite an experience and wears down on me.
Being locked in with 3 tiny hoomans is quite an experience and wears down on me.
FFBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
After a lifetime of dreaming about, I managed eight months ago to open my gym together with my wife and a friend. We put any cent we got and some more in this gym, prioritizing it over buying a house for ourself. I'm still working my 9to5 so on the average day I would leave my apartment before 8am to come back after 10pm, Monday to Friday, office and gym, to make everything work and launch the gym and make it bigger and at some point being able to dedicate myself to it.
Economic and personal sacrifices as clearly family time took a big hit with this schedule.
Eight months into this adventure, the gym is close until who knows when. It's a safe bet to imagine you can all understand my feelings.
Still, I'm privileged somehow. My friend and jiu-jitsu teacher got stuck here in between his travelling so we can train together and we are using the time for live q&a sessions on facebook and stuff like that. It honestly feels good to be able to interact with friends and students through these sessions. Also our clients in the the gym are very supportive.
What keeps me up at night to be honest, is that I can't bring my daughter to kindergarten, or to eat an ice cream, or to the playground. We manage but those were supposed to be basic freedoms. Mix it with a bit of anxiety for the future of course.
Economic and personal sacrifices as clearly family time took a big hit with this schedule.
Eight months into this adventure, the gym is close until who knows when. It's a safe bet to imagine you can all understand my feelings.
Still, I'm privileged somehow. My friend and jiu-jitsu teacher got stuck here in between his travelling so we can train together and we are using the time for live q&a sessions on facebook and stuff like that. It honestly feels good to be able to interact with friends and students through these sessions. Also our clients in the the gym are very supportive.
What keeps me up at night to be honest, is that I can't bring my daughter to kindergarten, or to eat an ice cream, or to the playground. We manage but those were supposed to be basic freedoms. Mix it with a bit of anxiety for the future of course.
ARBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Mine is not great. I’ve been drinking so much, every day. I’ve gained 10lbs and it’s all beer and whiskey... I’m drinking right now.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Mine is not great. I’ve been drinking so much, every day. I’ve gained 10lbs and it’s all beer and whiskey... I’m drinking right now.
Dude. Try to cut down if you can in any way. Alcohol is a super lousy antidepressant to self-educate with. Reach out to mental health professionals if you can - times are tough but we're not alone and talking to a specialist can really help!
(And I'm dead serious here)
(And I'm dead serious here)
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I've been making instagram workout videos to not lose my mind. Thank darwin I still have a few work & education obligations coming my way, so I can keep busy. But the anxiety gets to me at night...
This is an insane time.
This is an insane time.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I've been making instagram workout videos to not lose my mind. Thank darwin I still have a few work & education obligations coming my way, so I can keep busy. But the anxiety gets to me at night... This is an insane time.
I originally posted in the wrong forum...
I feel fortunate in the sense that I can train with my sons or switch it up and do cardio, weights, pull ups, mat drills, yoga ball drills, and even the isometric belt exercises you posted. When I don't have a partner I have my zebra grappling dummy (Bobby) to keep me busy. Only thing is he whispers things, horrible things in my ear at night. joking of course...... Lol or am I?
I feel fortunate in the sense that I can train with my sons or switch it up and do cardio, weights, pull ups, mat drills, yoga ball drills, and even the isometric belt exercises you posted. When I don't have a partner I have my zebra grappling dummy (Bobby) to keep me busy. Only thing is he whispers things, horrible things in my ear at night. joking of course...... Lol or am I?
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I have thoroughly enjoyed the kids and wife being home.
Even though I was still teaching university classes online,
and my government consulting / contractor workload has actually increased due to the virus events even though it was previously full time.
I also treated the cessation of grappling as a context to really indulge in drinking, and eating, and enjoying myself.
My blood pressure numbers have spiked a bit, so I have stopped drinking, and sadly moderated my favorite stimulants a bit.
And now, even more sadly, I may even resume non-grappling exercises, even though grapple fu is the only exercise that I otherwise do with any consistency, normally.
However, I would enjoy walking the dog and riding a bike around my neighborhood, so maybe I will start doing that.
If I really wanted to get ambitious, I could hop on the water rower, or the pull up / dip station, or do boxing training without a partner....
But perhaps I will just start with taking the dog for walks or the kids for a bike ride.
Even though I was still teaching university classes online,
and my government consulting / contractor workload has actually increased due to the virus events even though it was previously full time.
I also treated the cessation of grappling as a context to really indulge in drinking, and eating, and enjoying myself.
My blood pressure numbers have spiked a bit, so I have stopped drinking, and sadly moderated my favorite stimulants a bit.
And now, even more sadly, I may even resume non-grappling exercises, even though grapple fu is the only exercise that I otherwise do with any consistency, normally.
However, I would enjoy walking the dog and riding a bike around my neighborhood, so maybe I will start doing that.
If I really wanted to get ambitious, I could hop on the water rower, or the pull up / dip station, or do boxing training without a partner....
But perhaps I will just start with taking the dog for walks or the kids for a bike ride.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
