topic What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great? in Staying well

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:12:21 GMT

Hey all. I'd like to start a nice little convo where we can talk about the things that make us happy, keep us well, soothe our emotions or that make us feel accomplished/ proud/ confident etc. It can be anything you want- a hobby you do, a type of therapy or technique, your belief system, your family or friends, a dream or goal, a song or band, sport, exercise.

Whatever it is that gets you feeling better or keeps you feeling well, lets share our joys and happiness's so that others can be inspired.

i'll start.

I love Crossfit- it keeps me fit and i'm always feeling accomplished because i see myself doing things i couldn't do before. Each week i can run further than i could the week before, or lift a heavier weight, or do more sit-ups- and I've made friends doing it! I do it in the most evenings to ease the stress of a long day, and to improve my sleep.

I love music- I find songs that match my emotions so I can express them and get them out when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I taught myself to play guitar and love to sing.

My favorite thing of all is sewing. I've only really started last year, and soon fell in absolute love with it. It always makes me feel better, no matter how distressed. The process of cutting and sewing is so calming, and looking at my finished projects (patchwork quilts, pretty skirts, little knick-knacks like notebook covers) fills me with a feeling of accomplishment, confidence and pride. Other people compliment me on my finished projects, and ask me to make them things.

My dream is to be a kindergarten teacher and to live in the country, surrounded by nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Those are things that make me happy, confident, and enjoying life.

What are yours?

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Zeal — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:28:05 GMT

Hi Beltane,

This is a great idea. It's important to bring positivity to the forums.

You have great hobbies. Singing and playing the guitar sounds really calming and enjoyable. Music is fantastic at improving your mood and making you feel calm, whether you play it yourself, just listen like me, or do both.

I love reading. This uni holidays I have read about 15 books, which are mostly works of fiction. I love immersing myself in a story, and reading about interesting characters. My favourite novels are The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, Welcome to Your New Life by Anna Goldsworthy, Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. I recommend these non-fiction books: The Good Life by Hugh Mackay, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and The Woman Who Changed Her Brain by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young.

I also enjoy listening to music. I am not overly knowledgeable on this topic, however. I like music which is classified as Alternative, although it is on the popular/mainstream side of this category. I particularly like these artists: OneRepublic, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, and compositions from Hans Zimmer. A few of my favourite songs are, On Top of the World (Imagine Dragons); If I Lose Myself, Feel Again (OneRepublic); Sleepsong, Of The Night (Bastille); Maestro (Hans Zimmer); I Will Wait, The Cave (Mumford and Sons); and Florence and the Machine's charity concert at The Royal Albert Hall in 2012 (I found this full concert on youtube).

I enjoy watching movies too, like many of us. I like The Shawshank Redemption, The Art of Getting By, Dan In Real Life, Stuck In Love, Something's Gotta Give, The Book Thief, The Secret Garden, The Holiday, Love Actually, The Descendants, and The Spectacular Now.

I also enjoy babysitting, volunteering with young people who have intellectual disabilities, and contributing to this forum 🙂

What does everyone else love doing?

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Neil_1 — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:42:41 GMT

Hi there Beltane

AWESOME – what an awesome thread and idea.

I’ve seen those hard-core people on the teev doing the Crossfit Games and just seeing what they do is almost beyond inspiration – the different exercises that they do; I just marvel at how fit and strong they must be. With my aching joints nowadays, I can only do so many things that are associated with crossfit, but it’s an excellent concept; and to hear how you’re going with it is awesome. You did mention that you do it most evenings – I’m a stickler for that kind of thing; so how many IS most? And for the other evenings, are you out and about doing other fitness sessions?

I too love to sing and according to my children, that’s where the big problem begins. Because apparently I sing like a wailing cat sitting on a fence – so not very well; which is a shame, cause when I’m in the car and have a favourite tune on, I really pump it up and give it all I’m worth. A bit sad to know that if others were to hear, it wouldn’t be a good experience.

My main therapy/love/stress release is the gym. I also compete in competitions that are “Natural Bodybuilding Comps”; natural being ‘not nude’, but natural being non-taker of steroidal type items. So I look forward to and LOVE my gym workouts; I go five times a week and work different body parts on each day; I create my own programs, having had years of practice of this; as well as once upon a time, I was also a Personal Trainer. But I find the workouts to be a great release and with my depression, anxiety and in particular, my PTSD, I use the workouts as a kind of punishment to myself – hence I have my own motivation in my head and heart that helps me churn out brutal workouts. And the feeling after is simply awesome. Even during, after you’ve caught your breath, is exhilarating as well.

I do enjoy most kinds of exercise as well, so I find trying to look after my body physically is very important to me.

My kids happiness is a huge thing also – and so if anything ever happens that causes them to be sad or down; this affects me greatly also.

There’s a lot more to write as well; but I’ll send this off now and really will enjoy reading others responses.

Neil

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 04:12:21 GMT

Thanks for joining the convo guys!

Hey SM, i too LOVE reading- i practically devour books. I love my bookshelf full of my books- i've read my favourites dozens of times. I now use a kindle as well- not the same as a real book, but when you're on a tight financial budget a kindle book is far cheaper.
My favourites are Harry Potter, the "Troy" series by David Gemmell, Jodi Picoult, Rachael Treasure (writes rural fiction). I recently read "The Fault In Our Stars" and couldn't put it down... I also love reading biographies and memoirs of people who live interesting lives- you know, like "I Am Malala" the girl who fought for education in Afghanistan and was shot (but lived, obviously).. So inspirational.
How good is "Love Actually"! I also like "Hes just not that into you" and "Pride and Prejudice".

hey Neil. I've recently switched to Crossfit from a background of regular dancing and martial arts (brazilian jui jitsu). So i'm just building up, but already I'm addicted- i miss it when i take a night off.
I go 3 nights a week currently but this is just a start- i'm awaiting sinus surgery and the meantime the sinus problems are causing me to feel unwell, so i take nights off when I'm not well. My partner goes 6 days a week and that's my ultimate goal once i;ve had the surgery and am feeling great. I'm competing in the Crossfit games this year, but of course i'm only a beginner so its really to test myself rather than compete per se. You can "scale" workouts in Crossfit- make them easier to suit your current abilities but still a challenge obviously.

On my nights off I sew, study, read... i have plenty other things to do to "keep me calm" but I wish I could be at Crossfit- i really am addicted. As you say, i can pour all my anxiety and depression into the workout- all that energy- and come out feeling.. relieved? like a weight is off my shoulder, like all that negative energy has been burned away and replaced with that exhilaration and endorphin rush of a good hard exercise session. I love it!!!

On Sundays my partner and I love finding places to go hiking- nice state forests or parks. There's some great tracks within 15 minute drive of us, which is fantastic. Being fit and healthy enables us to enjoy those tough walks which is great. Thats what going to the gym is for hey- to give us the fitness to do other things.

I also love indoor rock-climbing. Once i get a job and we've got good money coming in again, we'll be doing that most weekends.

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

OhmeOhmy — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 09:10:21 GMT

I love this thread, thanks Beltane 🙂 Both you and Neil have inspired me to get back into exercising, You have reminded me how amazing you feel after a great work out. Exercise I guess is a way of taking back some control and responsibility for how you're feeling. SM volunteering and helping others is a wonderful thing to do and it has worked for me in the past with regard to creating happiness and positive feelings.

I volunteered as a community visitor and spent time with elderly people with dementia who were not getting visitors, in our local aged care facility. I really enjoyed it and I could the baby along which the residents loved. However the baby is now nearly two and gets into too much mischief to take now haha. Playing with her and laughing at the funny things she says and does makes me feel so happy and grateful to be alive.

I love music too. I have zero talent myself but this doesn't stop me from singing loudly and often. I even sing to the kids when I want them to do something lol so for example "Son will you please take the bins out?" will be sung as an opera haha. It makes them laugh instead of grumble about being asked to do something.

I also love to do jigsaw puzzles because for me its like a form of meditation. My mind is focussed on finding the next piece and no thoughts are racing around in my head.

Lastly I love to do some stand up paddle boarding. Its great fun. I love the water and swimming. It makes me feel re energised and like a kid again, care free and happy.

I've really enjoyed reading your posts and hope to read some more 🙂

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 10:02:18 GMT

Hi everyone!

I agree this is another great thread. Beltane, you have started some really good ones 🙂

I don't really have a favourite activity to take my mind off everything that is buzzing around. However, I do enjoy very long walks, and going to gym. The most effective, though is planning for my dream lifestyle change. In so doing, I am all the time thinking positive thoughts about the future.

Like many others with our illness, my dream is of a lifestyle change living far away from the hustle of the city life, living simply, on a parcel of my own land, living off the land and growing my own fruits and vegetables. I guess I am 'lucky' in that I have stopped work and see the real possibility of a lifestyle change if I am happy to downgrade and prepared to forego lives little luxuries. I am oh so ready! 🙂

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 11:17:11 GMT

Hey thanks for joining my little thread everyone!

Hideaway, yep i'm amazed at how many of us share the dream of the little peace of land in the country, growing own food, just living the quiet life away form the hustle and bustle.

I love thinking positive thoughts about my future home. I even like thinking of it in terms of my current life... "If i pay off my loan this quickly, then i can start saving for my home in the country, maybe 2 years i'll have the deposit together".

Or even like... i do sewing, i just finished a quilt hanging, and the whole time i was sewing it i was thinking of how i would love to hang it in my future home... when i buy eggs, i always think "one day i wont need to buy eggs, i'll have my own chickens at my home in the country, and get my eggs from them".

It keeps me motivated, if every think i do now will eventually lead me to my dream country home.

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:26:34 GMT

Beltane - everything you have so nicely described is me in a nutshell. For example, when going through old junk in the shed I think, hmm that might be useful at the new place. So the pile of 'rubbish' is getting bigger by the day. I'll need a massive trailer when the big day comes. But for the moment, the search for my country shack has just begun. It is really quite exciting!! And so very positive. Just got to keep pushing through those hurdles that appear.

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:50:41 GMT

Oh hideaway! I love your profile picture!!! That is exactly the kind of place i'd love to live!

Infact I might even change my profile picture to be my ideal home too! What a love picture to see everytime i log on...

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:32:06 GMT

Hi Beltane

your future home looks wonderful, nice cottage feel with lovely trees surrounding it. :)). I imagine the chook pen is out the back and old Bessie the cow is sauntering around the front of the house - you need fresh milk to go with the eggs that the chooks have delivered 🙂

ahhh - makes me feel good just pretending a little!!

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:45:52 GMT

Oh wow i'm really bummed our Hideaway, i posted this really heartfelt reply... I'm not sure what happened to it.. maybe its still in moderation, but my internet and computer have been playing up so its also really likely its just not ended up on the cyber highway... i'll do y best to recreate it, apologies in advance if the original post shows up...

Yes i dream of a cottage-type home. Actually i really like those Tiny Homes, have you seen them? They're beautiful, so eco-friendly, so affordable, i'd love a small home- it'd be so cosy, so easy to maintain, and i really dont need most of the stuff i own, really.... But i want a family, so i guess i'd be better off with a bigger home... I'd love a timber home, with lots of timber inside and out. I'd love slate floors, with plush colourful rugs to brighten up the place.

I love to sew, so i'll make lovely quilts for the beds and wall hangings to decorate the walls. There will be bookshelves everywhere, and a piano (i love pianos). Lovely comfy armchairs by the window so i can sit and read in the sun, and comfy chairs on the veranda so i can relax and watch the sun et.

Lots of big windows so the house is full of light. A chicken coup around the back, though it'll also have ducks and geese (i love love love geese, no idea why). I'd like a few sheep, but i dont think i'm up for caring for cows. I wouldnt want just one cow, it would be lonely- they're herd animals- and i certainly dont want to have to try to feed a small herd! Sheep would be easier i think.

I'd love a border collie dog, they're beautiful. But again, i'd get 2 dogs so they can be friends- i wouldnt want my dog to get lonely and depressed.

I dream of my home all the time. I really would love one of those Tiny Homes- i'm right into being eco friendly. I'd power it with Solar Panels which would charge batteries, and have water tanks. Pity my boyfriend would never want to live in one...

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 02:09:23 GMT

Hi there Beltane!

Isn't it great how wonderful it makes you feel being able to dream a little. It generates so much positive energy, particularly if you are able to do something little that represents the dream becoming reality. As I said earlier, i do this by saving bits and pieces that might be useful for my new place, and planning my road trip in search of my dream country area and property.

thank you Beltane for the wonderful post, it was so warm and positive.

yep, my partner is also none too keen on sharing my dream -she is a city girl :). That is a hurdle I will need to cross. The great part is that she understands my need to live the dream.

i am planning to have a cat and dog there. Shame about the cow, I might need to rethink that now!

All the best and take care.

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:21:15 GMT

Heya again..

yeas its hard when the partner doesnt quite "get" the dream the we do..

i really really really want the eco-friendly Tiny Home in the country.. because Tiny Homes and country plots of lands cost next to nothing, i wont have to work quite so much which means i'll have more time to spend on other things that matter.. growing veggies, tending to my animals.. learning musical instruments (i have already taught myself guitar, djembe, and am currently learning Irish Tin whistle because i love Irish folk music and bands that are based on folk music, like this once band named Omnia. i used to play violin. I'd like to learn piano or harp..)

i also love sewing, writing, doing my COmmunity Champion stuff here on beyond blue, dancing and gymnasics, Crossfit.. as you can see i have lots and lots of interests!

I have this massive terrifying fear of having a huge mortgage... Like i really really dont want a big house, or one in an expensive area..i relly fear living the life i see other people live-- forced to work really long days and weeks to pay huge mortgages, huge energy/ insurance/ rates bills, all the extra costs of having a larger home with all the mod cons.

I really honestly would be very happy in a tiny home, i would never have all those huge debts to pay off, and have all that extra time and money to do what i really want. You can even get Tiny Homes on Wheels, like on a trailer so i could travel! Or jus get an awesome caravan..

I'm having a really rough time at the moment, my anxiety is going mental. My partner and i have been together 1.5 years pretty much now, we're starting to talk about the future a lot. I love the guy like crazy, although we have very different views on the world, and beliefs. But we have other things in common, and theres plenty that keeps ups together 9most important that we're there for each other through good and bad and really try to overcome any issues that do come up).

He's not interested in being eco friendly or living in anything other than the "standard" 4 bedroom type home. At least he loves the country, which is great. Maybe i can cope with the mortgage on a home in the country.. but even that thought causes me huge panic attacks...

I just really want to have the ability to work less, have less financial debts/ responsibilities, and be able to spent that extra time/ money/ energy on enjoying other things in life more... and he share those values and ideas..

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

MegW — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 06:04:32 GMT

In the last four years, I have:

Departed from toxic relationships and refused to enter anything new (I'm just not ready).

Gotten angry with my ex-husband for being such a @#%!! person, instead of loving him miserably.

Carved a career for myself (tough and I'm not quite there yet but well on my way).

Carried on running.

Begun seriously attending the gym and doing strength training.

Become involved with Parkrun, a really feel good community event.

Set goals; to break my 5km PB (a work in progress), contemplating running Comrades Marathon (South Africa, 90km, iconic race).

Adopted a tiny, old rescue dog who is the sweetest soul you could imagine. (The couch potato, cuddle dog :)).

Got the puppy I always wanted and joined dog club and began training him in agility and obedience trails like I always wanted. (The action dog :)).

Cared for, taken responsibility for and loved all my pets, two dogs and two cats.

Climbed half way out of quite a bit of debt (a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel).

Managed my bills and my life (tough at times but we've scraped through).

Taken control of my life and my dreams and my goals.

I have (tentatively) been depression free for two years after over twenty years of suffering.

Meg.

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 06:32:07 GMT

Oh wow Meg, sounds like some amazing things have been happening in your life! What wonderful things you've done, love the sound of your dogs. I'm right into hardcore exercise too, my exercise drug of choice is Crossfit.

Got my wonderful new career to enjoy, love love love.

Now to tackle my little mountain of debt, i plan to live on 1/3-1/2 of my fortnightly wage (it wont be easy, but i've live on the dole for some time so 1/2 my new waeg, even though its a modest wage, is still more than the dole. Then the other half of my wage can go straight onto that pile of debt and if my calculations are right, i could make it go byebye in 3 months. That would be amazing!!!!

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

insipration_in_the_dark — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 06:52:01 GMT

Hi i love music its so amazing how song can describe how ur feeling i write my own song to help me i have a idea to make a app called no ones worth the headache for self harm for teens i just dont know how to do it

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:00:23 GMT

Hi Beltane

Apologies for not responding sooner (have had a horrible week).

Yes I now about the Tiny Homes - a lot nicer and homelier than the tin sheds I have been looking at, but which also do a great job in masquerading as homes 🙂 But they are cheap, and I need cheap!

I am thinking that once the dream is 'activated', all those that you enjoy will come to the fore. In my case it is growing things, and I also used to find enjoyment in strumming on my guitar (been collecting dust for many years now), and 'pottering' around the place including working with the community. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that my partner will share my dream.But it is good that she is supporting it.

I do understand the fear of financial debt - and also know that will pass. It may appear frustrating and overwhelming at times, but it will pass. If you have a realistic plan, just as you have mentioned in another posting, it will make it some much less daunting. But I am sorry to hear about your increased anxiety, although, I'm glad you and your partner have similar interest and values, it really does help. Maybe a compromise is around the corner.

I hope you feel better today

Take care

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:26:50 GMT

Actually ive made a post in the main Anxiety forum about my relationship Hideaway, if you feel like taking a look.

Yes my partner have a few things in common, but more and more i feel we're drifting apart and our relationship is in serious trouble. He thinks its ok but its because hes not listening to me. I dont understand how me saying "we need to talk, our relationship is in trouble"" could get any clearer, but he always has an excuse "i'm tired from work" "we;ve been stressed lately"....

But i fear we are intrinsically wrong for each other. I want someone who will share my dream of the Tiny Home or at least modest country house, country cottage to be exact, small mortgage so we can use our spare money to travel the world and australia (in a caravan). We will play music together, walk amongst nature together. We will grow vegetables together, and look after our many chickens and sheep (and get carers for them when we're away travelling).
Someone who realises that life is a precious gift and well, i understand being tired in a particular hard week at work. But night after night after night at best hes vegged out watching tv, at worst hes asleep by 5pm. Weekends hes sleeping. He works the normal 8 hour day as a hardener, doesnt really want to do that job, but has no plans to leave and refuses to discuss it with it me- just says he wont quit anytime soon as its a family friends company and the company will probably collapse without him.

Well thats all good and well but where does that leave us. Where is our time together, where is our relationship.

Another thing i would like is someone whos at least open minded spiritually. I'm a nature-loving pagan (which is a nature religion). He refuses to talk of it, though hes let me know plenty of times he thinks religions is a crock of ****.

its breaking my heart as ive beein spiritual for a long time but recently have had some very life-changing spiritual experiences. I have also made some female friends (as i didnt have any friends at all) who share my beliefs and are very like minded- very much soul-sisters. They've shared some of these spiritual experiences with me, and weve had many deep and meaningful conversations regarding my relationship (and their lives).

I really am no longer sure this relationship can be saved, or even whether it should be. I deep down think that maybe there is someone more compatible with me

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

HA1 — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:09:23 GMT

Hey Beltane

I responded to your post in Anxiety - its has not appeared yet so might be stuck with moderators. Anyway, it was a pretty honest response. I hope you are OK.

Over many years I have embraced philosophy in the sense that I enjoy reading the texts of various philosophers. In more recent years, I have taken an interest in spirituality (I guess since I realised I was not very well at all). Not in the sense of religion, but in that something else that I know is out there for me. I have started to read a lot too. This is something that I will explore more openly very soon (see my other reply). I have not yet found anyone to share my thoughts with (might go and check out one of those free retreats).

So much to do and take care of just now .........

What hobbies/ techniques/ lifestyle changes make you feel great?

Beltane — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 03:11:09 GMT

Still havent got your message on my thread in the Anxiety forum Hideaway. Are you sure it posted properly? Do you have another copy you could try reposting? I'm looking forward to hearing your reply (whether its confronting or not :P)