Hollie Hughes

2) Accepted I am prone to depression (this was an important one). Periods of depression before have always been accompanied by trying to "fix" the thing that was wrong at the time. What I've now realised is that I simply need to accept that I am someone prone to depression.

The same wiring that allows me to jump into different personalities as an actor is the same wiring that can make my demons so creative and so damn convincing. I wouldn’t want to change that wiring, I fucking love it and it brings me massive joy, so how to cope?

Instead of doing things to fix short term blips I now have a whole different approach to my life that's about making permanent changes, not things to do for 6 months till I feel good again but permanent, long lasting changes for the rest of my life.

Stopping the things that made me feel good again because I'm "better" is the killer (it's like stopping a diet once you've lost the weight). I now accept that I need to do the things that keep me mentally healthy, as a foundation of my life, it's a non-negotiable now.

3) Look after the basics. My therapist asked me on my first session "Are you looking after the basics? Sleeping enough, eating well, meditating, exercise?" and of course, because it was 2018 and the world was a dumpster fire, I wasn't.

I now, strictly, pay attention to these things and I can honestly say, they have made the hugest difference out of everything. So what are the "basics" I've put in place?

- Left Facebook (time suck and brought me no joy *nods at Marie Kondo*) - 15 mins meditation EVERY DAY (took around 2 weeks to have an effect, now can't live without it and notice if I miss a day or two) - Eat healthy (still have treats but do my best, thanks Huel!)

- Exercise at least 5 times a week (Beat Sabre, a walk, HITT session, whatever) - Leave my phone downstairs when I go to bed (I sleep so much better) - Use a mantra (I repeat this over and over to interrupt a train of thought I know won't be useful, very effective)