What do you do to feel better?
Thank you all for the book and talk recommendations here. We have cataloged them all and I'm working on an outreach plan to reach out to each person that you've recommended.
I'm wriring today with a different, but related, question that I think will also help us better help others that are having a hard time. We've all heard the term "coping skills". These are things that we can do to help ourselves feel better. Sometimes we do these things on purpose because we are struggling; sometimes we do them by accident and don't necessarily realize that they help us change our mindset or help us get unstuck.
When I did therapy (many years ago!), I used to ask people to think about 3-4 things that they do that help them feel better. Then, I'd ask clients to do those very specific things whenever they were having a hard time. This little intervention helps quite a bit because it allows people to tap into skills that they already have and enjoy using.
I'm guessing our community has one of the richest catalogs of coping skills on the planet. I would imagine we have identified hundreds of ways to help ourselves feel better when struggling. If comfortable, please share them here. My goal is to capture all of these and write them up as growth path steps once the playlist is live. If you can, please write them up as you would say them to a good friend.
Here are some quick coping skills from my life:
-talk with my wife or friends
-take a walk
-run
-watch a mindless movie
What works for you?
Thank you!
Update: If any of these look particularly good to you please comment and upvote to let me know which ones work best. Thank you!
What I do to feel better: I work in my yard, which is sometimes seen as a chore, but it gets me outdoors, gets my hands in the dirt, and gives me something positive to focus on. Bonuses are fresh air, sunlight/Vitamin D; a long-term goal of making certain there is always something in flower or looking spectacular; being more in tune with the seasons, noticing the angle of the light in late autumn, watching birds, bees and butterflies visiting, and above all, providing food for pollinators and providing visual joy to passersby.
@InquireWithin
Those are all wonderful. :) I also love being in the outdoors: I find that noticing small things like butterflies and colorful leaves has a joyful effect much larger than its small cause. Nature is beautiful and a wonderful place to focus. <3
Thanks for asking, 🤩 me, to feel better, usually I prepare a cup of tea, a glass of hot chocolate with some fav breads... And Then I read Detevtive Conan, another mistery book 📚 or only read news paper.
Write in every mood, short or long journal, and sometimes I feel better in excellent mood when make a poem, call my sisters (because we have lost our parents ...), Sometimes 😉 I take a shower with little massage and my own home spa, also prepare my fav desserts or healthy juices to boost my energy.
I also feel better with enjoy some fruits, yogurt and snacks, ice-cream time with my little kids, or only need a few hours deep sleep. 🤗💗
Cheers,
#HappyDay
I take my dog for a long walk. He loves to swim, and it is so fun to watch him! I do find (and obviously there is a lot of research on pet therapy, however..) that he helps me in so many ways. He reminds me that life doesn't always have to be so serious. He reminds me to notice the small things (by pulling the leash to go run alongside a butterfly, for instance 
), and that sometimes all you need is a warm hug (or furry buddy to cuddle!)
Listen to Music (mostly rap or pop. ohhh or James Arthur lol) and do slow breaths
I play games to keep my mind busy. I take relaxing baths while playing a word puzzle or watching a episode from a series.
I meditate to relax, to be able to sleep, to calm my mind from overthinking.
While doing something if I notice my mind wondering where it shouldn't, I start singing something (even if I'm a bad singer) because it distracts me.
I start a conversation with a friend. Or talk to a friend about how I'm feeling. It's e liberating and they sometimes bring comfort.
I read something nice, or a SF novel, because it distracts me from the reality.
I play with my cat.
Usually try to find videos or play certain games.
Relaxing and listening to classical music and playing with my two vocal and wild cats😀😺
I often go for a walk, mostly with someone else to keep my mind busy. Or with one of the family dogs. Dogs are great at listening and don't complain if you hug them close. I also am active and go to a sport course if I got the motivation. Other than that I talk to someone or, as others have already stated, write. Video games are for those days where I need to escape the situation but the weather is bad.
@nightlyforest
Forest (I love your username), those are all great ways of coping! Being outside is so relaxing, especially with pets -- I agree that dogs are great listeners, I'm grateful to have my dog. Writing is a good way to get emotions out and relaxing hobbies like video games are great to boost happiness. Glad to have you hear these great strategies!
@nightlyforest
I'm sorry. Nothing to do with it but I love your blood elf pfp
I listen to music of course,any kind works and take a nap(if I can).
Sit down,calm myself and meditate a little for a while, understanding my thoughts and emotions and not taking any quick decisions.
Self harm, bite my nails, binge eat, or have a smsll od for a deep sleep for a few hours. If its a.good day exercise or hot tea can kinda help.