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Suggestions of enjoyable, relaxing &/or helpful activities for self-care when you are feeling down
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I am starting this thread in the hope people will share ideas of things to do which they enjoy or help take their mind off their problems or just help them feel better. Since becoming stressed & depressed things which I used to enjoy are no longer available, are too hard or no longer fun and I suspect their are others like me who need to do things to feel good again but have trouble thinking of ideas.
Everyone is different so what suits one person won't suit another but each person's ideas will suit someone else.
When you are tired, depressed, stressed or just need a break what do you like to do?
I like to visit a friend who I can trust. We can complain & vent to each other without it being taken out of context or shared with anyone else. Unfortunately she lives 2 hrs away so I can't visit often
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What a great topic for a post Elizabeth!
One of the first topics I learned studying psychology was the art of 'doing absolutely nothing' at least a couple of times a week...staring at the trees...clouds...just being able to 'float' and lose myself.
* Turning off the cellphone when possible....it brings peace...(it can be an electronic dog collar sometimes)
* Making my life less 'busy'.....Facebook...found myself always checking it...ugh....Thats gone...ahhh Yes!
* Enabling a good REM sleep by turning off ipads.. phones before bed. They only increase brain activity..and thought processes..last thing a sufferer needs before sleep
* Talk to people about the anxiety/problem....I told my postie the other day when he asked me what I was doing at home during a weekday....I just said.."have this depression thing happening at the moment" It felt good
* Landscaping/gardening...Tending to mother earth is a natural healer....we can 'float' past anxiety there..
* Music...One of 'The Keys' to the soul...
* Cuddles with someone special.They actually weaken and dissipate anxiety & depression at the core...(If there is someone to cuddle of course..I dont..but I have my Burmese Mountain Dog German Shep Cross...Yay!)
Nice post Elizabeth....Hugs
Paul.....Woof!
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Hi Elizabeth,
A good thread. Thankyou.
Poetry. Some can do it others cant, some like it some loathe it. I started writing it in 1992 following the passing of my dad, such was how deep my emotions were. Poetry for me covers many bases. It is therapeutic, allows you to vent, it can help others and it can be funny. You can even turn negatives into positive. An example- When down in the dumps one day I sat under my verandah and saw a daisy...
PROBLEM FLOWER
One day, one to forget
I picked a daisy flower
Counted the petal for each of my woes
and counted them by the hour
When I've finished
and my problems as big as a city tower
I thought I had some issues
by not as many as that flower.....
Poems can be anything. They can be one line like quotes etc in fact that's what I like to do, be original and different. It takes paper and a pen, that's all. And if you get good at it you can put them in a binder for coffee table reading. You can send them to others in times of grief to comfort them.
Therapy. It can be an amazing thing to help you in times of grief. This one helped me overcome a lot and it displays the power of poetry.
TO KISS HIS TEMPLE
There were some things I knew as taboo
to express my love but to question who?
to touch the pale face of my dad back then
when touching taboo...when "men were men"
For boys were male and "you cant do that"
jealous of my sister and that is that
that man couldnt hug his son for how he was seen
nowadays if you hugged your son- well, you'd be relieved.
And so my dad the salt of the land
wouldnt touch me even by hand
he knew he loved me and I him
with a wink of an eye from under his brim
Then that day we all regret came along
where watery eyes was met by song
and there he lie with an eerie smile
I be alone with him for just a while.
As I stroked his forehead cool to touch
I raised my head automatically as such
to kiss his temple of which I dare
I knew his mind was well aware.
Of all the kisses I missed
they gathered together in just one kiss
finally as his spirit rose and went
he left his love and hugs were spent
I never craved again heart be blessed
that tradition of males their love expressed
a kiss on his forehead way back then
ended an era when "men were men"....
Cheers
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Thank you Tony.
You have a real talent with words
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Hi Elizabeth and great post by the way 🙂
I tried to respond just after you posted this great topic...but it hasnt gone through....so 'Take 2'
When (and especially now after being taught about it at uni) I am stressed and depressed...I helped myself by;
* Turning off the cellphone....even just when I can...Its an "electronic dog collar" Being 'on call' is stressful
* Landscaping/Gardening...Turning to 'Mother Earth' can enable 'floating past' the cycle of depression
* Music...a wonderful 'key' to the soul....:-)
* Cuddling 'someone special' can kill depression even though temporarily
* At Uni we were taught that 'Most people don't do enough of nothing' ....Interesting
* Being kind and useful to others as well as yourself of course
* Downloading/listening to 'To Sleep' by Sia....doesnt get any more peaceful..
* By yourself a present....you deserve it...
Great post Elizabeth...and TonyWK...Nice1...You wordsmith you!
Kind Thoughts & Hugs
Paul
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I was thinking of posting something similar.
One of the ways I vent is online gaming
best one is I do a fitness class and mauy thai kick boxing. Releases stress by kicking/punching pads while burning energy.
it take me a while to get the courage up to get out and do it and still hard to continue but I force myself as it helps
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Thank you for your replies. It illustrates how different we all are and what works for one person doesn't suit someone else.
Paul I think being kind or useful is a good one and it doesn't have to be big. I recently spoke to someone who was struggling with something and I suggested she rang me once she was clear what was happening so I can give specific advice/contacts. (I have the expertise to know the contacts she will require) I felt humbled because she was so grateful knowing I was willing and able to assist.
I used to enjoy gardening /landscaping particularly when it is cool weather. I made rock retaining walls in my old house which was hard work but very satisfying.
I take photos when I go away and have framed & hung some. Having nice things (,in my case photos). around which bring back good memories &/or feelings is good.
Changing things at home to make it suit you better can be good. For example I recently fitted baskets to the doors of my pantry. It was satisfying doing it and everytime I open my pantry and can find things easier because of the new arrangements is positive. I didn't like my study/spare room so I repainted it. Bought wood and brackets and fitted shelves and built a desk which fitted the space perfectly made it brighter and better to work in and easier to find things.
I
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Hi Elizabeth CP,
Great post and loving the ideas that are coming through.
For me I vary a bit; sometimes I just need to have a good cry where as other times I have to give myself a push to do what seems like 'normal things' like tidying up the kitchen.
For self-care and things that I enjoy -
- colouring. I love doing this when I have a lot of anxiety because it helps me try to stay present - especially if you get one of those colouring books where you have to focus (like an adult colour-by-numbers book).
- drawing and writing. I really love keeping journals and I find that they help me digest some of the stuff going on in my head that I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about. I also find that it helps me think of strategies and ideas instead of feeling so stuck all the time.
- watching documentaries. I like learning things.
- podcasts. There are so many to choose from whether it's health, lifestyle, news, education, music or entertainment. Plus you can listen to them wherever.
- playing games. I have a couple on my phone that I like and a couple on my computer. I don't play it much but it does help me tune out a bit.
- studying. This sounds kind of odd but I feel like studying often gives me a sense of purpose when I'm learning new things and feeling 'accomplished'.
- exercise. I like walking my dog, dance and yoga.
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Great suggestions. Studying is not ideal if you are really down but when feeling better it is a good way to build extra confidence & learning new things is always good.
I don't draw or colour although good for many others. Missed the creative gene but writing can be helpful
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Hi Elizabeth (and Romantic)
Great post Elizabeth! With depression I have the concentration span of a 'Red Setter' (very very little) so studying would be a tough one...but a great post with more great ideas Romantic.
Photography....nice1 Elizabeth (and your 'gentle occupation' around your home) I just purchased a Nikon P900 camera and yes...an excellent method of coping is 'capturing' a beautiful photo...:-)
I hope your day is good to you x
Paul