What do you like to do when you are anxious ,depressed ,etc?

BonsaiGuy · Jan 21, 2019 at 10:19 AM

If I can manage to go outside of the house, I really like to go to my local pool hall and play billiards for a couple hours.

If I want to stay home, I usually try to lose myself in a book. This is wonderful for me. I'm not sure if others can relate but it really takes me out of myself/ my current situation and helps me calm down. I find it very therapeutic to get lost in a story.

Other than that, I will tend to my bonsai trees. This is a curious one because a lot of the time tending to them physically would actually do more harm than good, so I check the soil, water them if they need it, and look for new growth and admire it. No matter what, this has always proven to be very calming to me.

xmascarol · Jan 22, 2019 at 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonsaiGuy

If I can manage to go outside of the house, I really like to go to my local pool hall and play billiards for a couple hours.

If I want to stay home, I usually try to lose myself in a book. This is wonderful for me. I'm not sure if others can relate but it really takes me out of myself/ my current situation and helps me calm down. I find it very therapeutic to get lost in a story.

Other than that, I will tend to my bonsai trees. This is a curious one because a lot of the time tending to them physically would actually do more harm than good, so I check the soil, water them if they need it, and look for new growth and admire it. No matter what, this has always proven to be very calming to me.

I cant wait until spring I am sick and tired of being stuck inside,now you wouldnt have heard me say that about two years ago,I have agoraphobia really bad so it is hard for me to go out

Jan 22, 2019 at 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by may24

Taking a bubble bath, making music playlists, watching youtube videos, doing yoga or some kind of light exercise, playing guitar.

I hear you on the playlists

yes... deffenetely a good distraction

Jan 22, 2019 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmascarol

When I have to go to my doctors I always get my driver to bring me either to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds since they are right next door to each other.You know what is really good? Pumpkin coffee love anything with pumpkin coffee.This is a real treat for me everytime I have to go out which is not to often.I thought this was beautiful the other day my best friend came by and she brought me over a coffee despite the fact she wasnt delivering any meals for that day shows she must really love me.

I agree that's really good.

wow I wish I had someone like that

xmascarol · Jan 22, 2019 at 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I agree that's really good.

wow I wish I had someone like that

Well after 8 days without her she should be able to stay tomorrow I hope,I get so lonely very easily.

Jan 22, 2019 at 10:35 AM

creative writing.

or if not writing, even telling a story in your head

xmascarol · Jan 23, 2019 at 06:39 AM

I love doing some drawing I have made about 50 pictures already to bad I cannot share them on this site.Most of them are puns.I love using puns.

zapatoes · Feb 08, 2019 at 12:11 AM

Reading helps some, so does music and exercise, and distractions sometimes help.

xmascarol · Feb 09, 2019 at 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zapatoes

Reading helps some, so does music and exercise, and distractions sometimes help.

I do a lot of knitting and crocheting. I just made three afghans in 2 and a half weeks that is because I am working on them all the time

NightRain2019 · Mar 02, 2019 at 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

creative writing.

or if not writing, even telling a story in your head

I once tried journaling through a full blown panic attack. I suspect it helped but what I do remember most is that I ended up with a piece of writing I was really happy with. I still have it around maybe 15 years later. On rare occasions I have shown it to people who don’t have panic so they can get an idea of what it’s like for some of us. Only people I trust though, as my (crisis clinician)friend said: some people reading that would think you were having a psychotic break, but it’s just severe anxiety. Maybe I’ll try it again & see how it goes as a coping mechanism..

NightRain2019 · Mar 02, 2019 at 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I find coloring helps with anxiety. When I am too anxious, I can't focus enough to read but I can color.

It also really helps me to be around other people. It's worst when I am all alone.

I haven’t tried coloring but I once offered to sort beads for an art class my friend was teaching. There were a lot of beads. I worked on it for an hour or so. Focusing on the colors and shapes & putting them in their own little boxes turned out to be very soothing.

NightRain2019 · Mar 02, 2019 at 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmascarol

For me whenever I am feeling anxious,depressed or just blah I really love to knit,chrochet,or do some drawings.I use a lot of puns it helps me to relax some.Maybe if you had a hobby you could concentrate on that when you are feeling anxious or depressed.I am not saying it will make the symptoms disappear but it may help you for a little while.I also do paid surveys it is nice getting a a little check in the mail.However I do find if the anxieties are really bad nothing seems to help especially if it develops into a full blown panic attack.Nothing seems to work for those.

I wish I could remember how to knit. I’m not sure I have the mental capacity for it any more. I’ve always wanted to make some of those leg warmers they used to have in the 1970s, those long ones that went on over your jeans. Someday I want to try that.

NightRain2019 · Mar 02, 2019 at 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmascarol

I cant wait until spring I am sick and tired of being stuck inside,now you wouldnt have heard me say that about two years ago,I have agoraphobia really bad so it is hard for me to go out

Agree with you on the spring. I miss being in the woods. I don’t technically have agoraphobia as i’m often fine about being out and around but when the anxiety gets bad my OCD gets worse & it is really hard to get myself out.
Hmm. Maybe I am a bit agoraphobic. I only feel totally safe in the woods.

Mopey · Mar 02, 2019 at 04:39 PM

When I'm very anxious and/or depressed I like to crawl in bed and distract myself by looking at something with beautiful pictures.

Mar 02, 2019 at 05:01 PM

I watch films. Lots and lots of films to get lost in the stories of the characters and forget my troubles a while. Others mentioned reading. I have always loved to read ever since childhood. However, one of the most troubling things about my depression is that I cannot read when I am depressed. I will try and find that I have read the same paragraph ten times and still don't recall much of it. So films carry me through those times instead.

Mopey · Mar 02, 2019 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTrees

I watch films. Lots and lots of films to get lost in the stories of the characters and forget my troubles a while. Others mentioned reading. I have always loved to read ever since childhood. However, one of the most troubling things about my depression is that I cannot read when I am depressed. I will try and find that I have read the same paragraph ten times and still don't recall much of it. So films carry me through those times instead.

That's why I look at pictures, Silver Trees. If I'm too depressed I can't focus on the words.

Mar 02, 2019 at 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopey

That's why I look at pictures, Silver Trees. If I'm too depressed I can't focus on the words.

I know exactly what you mean Mopey. Great tip!

xmascarol · Mar 02, 2019 at 05:44 PM

Sometimes if I can I will take a nap.At night not always I cry myself to sleep.

NightRain2019 · Mar 02, 2019 at 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopey

That's why I look at pictures, Silver Trees. If I'm too depressed I can't focus on the words.

Years ago, when I was first dealing w trauma stuff I took a small dollar store notebook & glued in pictures From magazines or photos that I found comforting or cheering. I kept it with me & took it out to look at the pictures if I was feeling too scared to do anything else.
Now, in the days of smartphones, I sometimes go on Pinterest and look st silly cat pictures or the like, mostly to cheer up.

Mar 02, 2019 at 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightRain2019

Years ago, when I was first dealing w trauma stuff I took a small dollar store notebook & glued in pictures From magazines or photos that I found comforting or cheering. I kept it with me & took it out to look at the pictures if I was feeling too scared to do anything else.
Now, in the days of smartphones, I sometimes go on Pinterest and look st silly cat pictures or the like, mostly to cheer up.

Great idea. And nice profile name btw

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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Jan 22, 2019 at 10:35 AM #26 creative writing. or if not writing, even telling a story in your head
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xmascarol Grand Member Member Since Jul 2018 Location: United States Posts: 755 5 9 hugs given	Jan 23, 2019 at 06:39 AM #27 I love doing some drawing I have made about 50 pictures already to bad I cannot share them on this site.Most of them are puns.I love using puns.
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zapatoes Grand Magnate Member Since Sep 2018 Location: Islandia Posts: 4,263 (SuperPoster!) 5 10.9k hugs given	Feb 08, 2019 at 12:11 AM #28 Reading helps some, so does music and exercise, and distractions sometimes help.
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Mopey Magnate Member Since Oct 2018 Location: California Posts: 2,025 5 1,520 hugs given	Mar 02, 2019 at 04:39 PM #34 When I'm very anxious and/or depressed I like to crawl in bed and distract myself by looking at something with beautiful pictures.
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xmascarol Grand Member Member Since Jul 2018 Location: United States Posts: 755 5 9 hugs given	Mar 02, 2019 at 05:44 PM #38 Sometimes if I can I will take a nap.At night not always I cry myself to sleep.
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