Ideas for activities to lift you when tired or depressed

[Elizabeth CP]

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

[ecomama]

Hey Sleepy....

"you can buy rose petals which melt in the bath" WHAT??? lol they sound amazing!

I echo you all the time sister lol, all fine by me!

If you don't have a bath, then soaking your feet in a foot spa (I was given one that warms the water and does a "spa" bubbly thing - it's cool!) or I've soaked my feet in a bucket of cool water in the garden in Summer.

A few more....

~ have a cry if you're feeling low. Apparently we expel helpful hormones to make us feel better.

~ "sit" with your emotions and try to label them. This helps me alot in articulating them and finding reasons why I'm feeling low.

~ find ONE thing you're grateful for. One thing can become 2 then 3 and become a healthy habit.

Love EM

[Doolhof]

Sometimes I Google funny animal clips

Watch a tutorial on how to crochet a different design for a blanket

Send photos off my phone to friends to help cheer their day

Doddle and see what designs I come up with

Look in a book about nature, gardens or interesting places in the world

Clean the windows or a cupboard and appreciate the effort

On really bad days just trying to think of something positive to do can be a bonus.

[quirkywords]

hugging ot talk to a soft toy

being silly

playing with scarves

wearing a funny hat

staring at a flower

look at books with colourful photographs

reading childrens book i read to my children

[Matchy69]

Playing records on my record player.Yes I still have one and a big collection of records .

[Guest_1055]

These may have been mentioned.

Immersing myself in an actual physical cookbook

Reading a hairy Mcclary child's book. I collect books by this author. I like the poetic way its written, the story line is cute as are the illustrations.

Go out and buy different paper straws. I collect these too, plus I use them in smoothies etc.

Soak my feet in Epsom salts and essential oils

Watch a funny movie

Walk on the beach

Listen to podcasts

Listen to audio dramas or audio books

Fold all the teatowels really neat

Do my hair in a different way

Give myself a facemask usually bentonite clay

Sort out the coloured pegs, remove the broken ones. Yep collect pegs as well.

Search through online shopping, not to buy, but I just like looking at kitchen things like plates, bowls, pans etc

[ecomama]

Aww Dools you reminded me of what makes my heart so warm.... and indeed lifts my spirits and energises me to do an action that can help animals...

helping animals ALWAYS makes me feel better.

I love looking at those cute pics of 2 different species of animal hugging each other awwww.

I saw one last week and it was SO CUTE!
A Lioness was hugging a baby goat in a protective manner.

So more things that make my heart sing....

~ putting out a seed hanger for native birds. The seed's pretty cheap and if sunflower seeds fall off the grow into FLOWERS! oh yeah lol.

~ putting out a shallow dish of clean water for lizards or such to drink from.

~ having a bird bath in your garden.

~ donating clean old blankets & sheets to a Dog or Cat shelter. Esp in Winter.

~ bringing one of those cats or dogs HOME! A pet's love is indescribable. Such a happy welcome to come home to too!

Love EM

[Guest_1643]

Hi shelll great idea with kids books x

[Guest_1643]

Helping animals is so powerful!

There is a cat on my street called Marley and she often sits on the picket wooden fence of her owner and stares out. She's thrilled to have friends and always meows at me for a pat.
Today she was far away from me on the doorstep so I called out to her but she just stared at me, not super interested in company today, it seems. She really cheers me up, though. Her owner says she "a big flirt" - and she does this with everyone on the street.

[Matchy69]

Sleepy I adopted a stray cat when I moved into this house that was skinny and starving.Shes now the most loved cat and very effectionate and likes to rub it's self on me purring.They certainly bring such joy.

[Guest_1643]

hi mark that's amazing!!