Suggestions for inexpensive activities

[AGrace]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading a few posts of late where the topic of hobbies/exercise/other activities to assist with mental well being have been raised. I also understand that mental illness (like any other illness) can be a very expensive element to treat. For a lot of us due to inability to work, or work full time, plus the additional costs of medication, Dr's and Specialists finances can be drained really quickly. I think we hear all the time how much lifestyle and in particular physical activities can have a positive effect on our mental health, and most of us would agree this is true. As we don't often have the funds for additional activities I wanted to find out from everyone what activities they've been doing to help with recovery and staying well, more specifically activities that are either free or at least inexpensive.

So I'll start...

Going to the Library to read rather than staying at home. You can be guaranteed a quiet space and lots of books to choose from (if you haven't visited your own State Library now could be your chance)

Signing up for activities at your local community centre. Often these are free or have a small cost involved. There are a broad range of activities on offer from learning a language to art and craft and yoga

Visiting your local botanic garden rather than a park. Usually entry is free and you can walk around or sit and have a coffee

Shopping at your local market. This can get a little noisy and crowded but it's also full of atmosphere and has a lot more culture than the local supermarket. It's also a great way to source really fresh produce

Going for a drive, catching a train, tram, or bus. You can pick a favourite destination, or a place you haven't visited before

Walking around your nearest city. Take a camera with you and stroll all the laneways and get pictures of buildings or art

Find out if your nearest suburb/city offers free tai chi or yoga in the park. This can be a great way to kickstart your morning

So I'd love to hear from others. I'm sure we can come up with heaps of suggestions!!

AGrace 

[SubduedBlues]

I've always had a thing for graveyards. I like to walk through and read the names and dates of the residents. I'm looking for someone who shares a name or a birthday with an ancestor or family member. 

Twice have I found my own name;  one of which also shared my birthday, but almost a century earlier. 

[AGrace]

Hi guys, 

It's great to see a number of you have visited this thread. If you don't think you have suggestions perhaps you could let us know if any of the ideas listed so far have been useful. 

For those of you who like reading you could also check out what events are happening at your local library, often they will have guest authors or readers.

Have a look through travel books or websites and plan a holiday you'd like to take in the future

Cooking, muffins, cupcakes, biscuits or something you've never cooked before

Volunteering, there are plenty of websites for information on this

Having breakfast or a real coffee at a nearby cafe. When I'm feeling really anxious I'll go at an off peak time of day and switch to herbal tea instead of coffee

Visit an art gallery

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend:)

[Kitty23]

Thanks Grace, my main problem is that when I'm going through a rough patch I can't get out of the house, I work full time, but they know my story so I can take holidays or sick leave when I need it most.

I've been undergoing a bad episode since last April and in the beginning I continue to work, exercise (I go the gym for an hour 4times a week). but in the past four weeks it has been intermittent & getting out of the house or out of bed for that matter is hard.

I like eat healthy so I've started to go to the shop to get fruit more often, when I'm there I only buy what I need for a couple of days, so I have to get out the house or I don't eat.. easy does it. I'm going back to work tomorrow, right now I'm not excited about it at all, but I know that work & the support of people who know me there will help me.

Thanks again for your suggestions, I love the library & reading is my refuge, I will attempt that soon.

Kind regards

Kitty.

[AGrace]

Hi Kitty,

I can understand that when our mood is really low some of these activities might be too full on. You may also like to check out the thread finding joy when times are dark. It talks more about activities to get you through the tough times. 

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/connect-with-others/online-forums/recovery-and-staying-well/finding-joy...

AGrace

[HelenM]

What a good idea,

I bought a zonecard from my bus co. to get in and out of town. But I also use it if I just need to be out the house. I pop to another town or city and get out for a wee while before bussing it back home.

Where I live there's a knitting/crochet group that's free and I go there most weeks.