topic Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed in Staying well

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Elizabeth CP — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:18:38 GMT

When I'm very tired or stressed whether due to MH issues or just other circumstances I struggle to do anything. The problem with this is that I then have too much time for negative thoughts which feed into my depression & anxiety creating a vicious circle.

I would like to generate a list of things which can be done when short of physical or mental energy which distract me from the negative thoughts and leave me feeling better rather than worse.

I would love it if others can share ideas to help each other. What works in one situation won't work in another

My ideas

Read a book

Suduko

Sort or label photos

Drive to a nice location and focus on pleasant surroundings

phone a friend or relative

have a shower

sit beside a lake or river with feet in the water

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Birdy77 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:53:09 GMT

Hello Elizabeth,

I have been brainstorming this very thing today, as i have been in turmoil with my thoughts .... some of the things I've put on my brainstorming page today are:

- do some weeding
- go to the library
- do some cooking
- dust a bookshelf
- go to the op shop
- make pizza dough
- water the plants
- browse a craft book and choose one to start

Thanks for this thread.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

monkey_magic — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:57:08 GMT

* Cook something comforting to eat

* Online shopping or browsing

* Watch funny U-tube videos

* Go to the local pools

* Get some sunshine

* Create something ( artwork,poem, crochet etc)

💘

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

sunnyl20 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 06:37:48 GMT

Thank you for creating this Elizabeth CP, it is a great idea. Some suggestions include:

- Listen to music
- Create music playlists
- Go for a walk/jog
- Gentle stretching
- Make a cup/pot of tea/coffee
- Watch funny YouTube videos
- Journal
- Play with your pet
- Go to a library/book shop
- Wash your face/have a bath/shower
- Re-watch favourite movie/TV shows
- Listen to podcasts
- Play a musical instrument
- Scrapbook/do craft
- Take an online class
- Call a friend
- Write a letter (you don't necessarily have to send it)
- Read

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Guest_4643 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 07:04:53 GMT

Great thread Elizabeth CP.

I don't have anything that helps me unfortunately.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Guest_1055 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 08:48:07 GMT

Put on some music that encourages me and sing

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

clown_of_mine — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 22:49:42 GMT

A Shower the positive ions , I have a shower stool so I can sit beneath the running water, it's wonderful.

A bath is good if I have the fidgets. Have a go................

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Jack2021 — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 02:20:35 GMT

Hi guys, just a thought but what kind of things do you avoid when tired or depressed as well?? 😊

Not to be negative at all, just trying to see what works and what doesn't work for myself and others, like for myself when I'm tired, anxious, and/or depressed, I've been trying to read for months and months, but can never focus or get the motivation to read, concentrate on reading, or even pick up a book, no matter how much I think it would interest me, and I've finally realised it's a lot more healthier for me to give up on reading for now, rather that constantly getting frustrated at not being able to read, making me more anxious/depressed, thus a vicious cycle....

Only main things that actually do lift my mood when anxious/ tired/ depressed are going for a walk outside or in the gym, or getting some sort of positive interaction with other people out side...a tricky thing to do in these times....

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Weaponsofmassdisstortion — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:17:01 GMT

I like spending time in the forest and at the beach(even if it is too cold to go swimming). As I type this I am listening to Great Southern Land by Icehouse, I want to go and sleep in the forest right now.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

geoff — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:29:18 GMT

Hi, I found that going to an indoor swimming complex relaxes all your muscles and when you're unable to move your legs, for example, it gives you the opportunity to do what you can't out of the pool.

Geoff.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Matchy69 — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 19:43:29 GMT

I have about 2 thinks that can lift me in my depression
*Going for a motorbike ride
*Seeing my kids and grandkids .

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

quirkywords — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 06:48:16 GMT

Looking in an op shop

laughing with a granddaughter playing keepy uppy with a balloon

looking t children’s books

poetry

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Elizabeth CP — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 11:30:11 GMT

Thank you for the varied ideas. I'm currently restricted to one hand due to a fractured wrist so many things normally suitable are no longer possible. I guess that reminds us to have a range of choices because different activities are suitable to different people or in different times.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

geoff — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 17:41:58 GMT

Hello Elizabeth CP, ouch, I'm so sorry about your wrist, that's why all of us should be taught how to write, draw, use a hammer or a screwdriver with either hand if in case this restricts us by being out of action for 6 weeks.

All of these basic but very dependable activities as well as CPR are never considered as being a major skill that at some time we need to use, and as kids, it needs to be taught.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

ypla — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:11:20 GMT

Taking a walk and discovering new things without the internet. Yesterday I found out there is a free karaoke booth in cbd, and I'm going to be practising to sing next week after shaving my head for charity. Few days ago I discovered a pub with a setting that I like, an arcade station with retro games and many more. I was feeling not too good few days ago too but it's all about finding a bit of strength and seizing the moment. This whole thing feels like a stock market, it's got ups and downs but when you find the right moment you shall capitalise on it.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

ecomama — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:52:21 GMT

Hey Elizabeth CP, great thread topic!

My go to list includes alot of self-care:

~ sleep beautiful sleep lol

~ nap! Even if I have to set my alarm for 30 mins, napping is loverly.

~ rest in bed. Bit of a theme going on here lol!!

~ eat something enjoyable, pomegranates and oranges are my faves atm. Yum!

~ listen to a podcast, Brene Brown is talking to me right now! Great company.

~ watching nature, seeing the birds flit in my bird baths, watching the chickens eat, seeing a tree move in the wind, beautiful things like that.

~ did I mention sleep? oh yeah I did lol.

~ a scrubby bath. Running a warm bath, with bubbles or nice scrubs for my body. Using brushes or sponges or whatever suits my mood.

~ finishing off with lovely smelling body creams. Skin food is my fave. Morengo or gardenia fragranced are nice too.

~ painting my nails.

~ throwing out unwanted paperwork.

Off for a bath and some spoiling right now!

EM🌈

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Guest_1643 — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 11:09:46 GMT

face mask

brushing my teeth 🙂

painting my nails

A hot drink - even coffee from the servo for 2 dollars makes me feel bit better

Decluttering - choosing one space and getting stuck into it

going to the library or bookshop if you have one near you and browsing through the covers

journalling

going through all my texts and emails and reading/responding to unanswered ones (could apply to BB threads)

sitting on the floor/grass and meditating. i find it grounding and like a big relief/exhale to sit crosslegged - see the world from another angle for a bit 🙂

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Guest_1643 — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 11:12:46 GMT

em sorry i echoed your painting nails!

i've done mine again last week - it was fun!

i so so wish i had a bath.... it is such a relaxing thing

you can buy rose petals which melt in the bath

i also like lighting a candle around the house, it makes me feel instantly more settled.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

Doolhof — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 12:23:10 GMT

After a rough day at work today I needed to chill out at home.

It had been drizzling with rain. I took a walk in the garden and really looked at the different leaves, flowers, the soil, tree bark and noticed the glistening, refreshed textures.

Noticing the beauty around me helped to lift my spirits.

Walking helps me as well. I like to take photos of interesting things I see, a nice view, a colourful flower perhaps. Later on I can look at these images and that helps to brighten what may be a darker moment at some stage.

Nature can rejuvenate.

Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

geoff — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:36:43 GMT

Hello Ypla, finding a bit of strength and seizing the moment of the day, is to make the most of your day and not to be putting things off or relying on the future, because with this illness we are never sure how we'll feel tomorrow, so if it's possible and there is a slight spark today then don't let it pass without trying to enjoy what you weren't able to have yesterday.

This can be totally inspiring and could be the breaking point for you to have another day where you might be stimulated, even if it's just half a day.

Don't forget there could be an opportunity just waiting for you that you can now recognise, whereas before this was impossible.

Best wishes.

Geoff.