What do you do to feel better?

@GlenM here's some coping skills I use (specifically for when I'm feeling drained or triggered):

1. Doing some grounding/breathing exercises to help me focus and calm down

2. Listening to music that's comforting, or is good music sensory-wise

3. Taking a warm shower, especially after a breakdown or something like that

4. Making tea (it's a comfort food for me, and the process of making it is soothing)

5. Changing into cozy/comfortable clothing

6. Watching the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, since it's also a very soothing thing to watch (theres actually a whole playlist on YouTube if anyone wants to check that out)

What a great post!

Here are the things that help me cope:
- Spending time with my family
- I love hiking in nature

- Mindfulness and yoga

- Sitting with my dogs and generally being present with them.

@GlenM

I'm so glad you're crowd-sourcing to make things easier to find here!!!

Here are things I do... that I also posted recently... in threads on 7Cups.

Star Wars Story Time Yoga THE FORCE AWAKENS moves https://nicertube.com/0c36tr

Make-believe-video-game-world exercise (stand up, copy the moves you want to, GO FAST!) https://nicertube.com/eq34bp

THE ABOVE 2 ARE NOT FOR KIDS ONLY!!! ANYONE CAN DO THEM AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN.

Bollywood exercises and stretching (can do both sitting and even standing) https://nicertube.com/29y4bv

Tabata with massive variety (over 300000 possibilities, pick 1 move out of 4 each round) https://nicertube.com/x92u0e

Tabata (seated) in rounds of 20 seconds exercise, 10 seconds rest https://nicertube.com/8ukhdq

Tabata (seated) in rounds of 40 seconds exercise, 20 seconds rest https://nicertube.com/2s5uxy

Seated Tai Chi stretching and breathing https://nicertube.com/tmx6r8

Standing Tai Chi stretching and breathing (especially before bed) https://nicertube.com/cz59qb

Dance-Aerobics BE CAREFUL WITH VIDEOS BELOW... USE PROPER FORM AND DON'T HURT YOURSELF!!

Latin Cardio Dance Party - You're Invited! https://nicertube.com/fd55rt

Jazz-Pop Cardio Dance Party - You're Invited! https://nicertube.com/63mdtu

Funk Cardio Dance Party - You're Invited! https://nicertube.com/cfgbry

Bollywood BollyX Workout - Unleash Your Inner Rock-Star https://nicertube.com/e3ncq6

Note: Many of the moves in the videos above can be done either standing or seated (just do the arm moves).

Indoor Walking Workout that's relaxing & fun
https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/HkD6Qklb_default/index.html?videoId=6144690942001

@GlenM

My favorite meditation is simply to breathe and concentrate on my breathe for 20 minutes a day.

Another great mindful exercise is to think of 3 things you can see, hear, and feel.

Find an audiobook that you like and download it. Listen to it while going on a 15 minute walk at a brisk pace.

@GlenM

There are several things I do to feel better; sometimes I need to be around people so I look for oppertunities be with friends and family. When that can't happen I use the phone (facetime or whatsapp) and that does the trick! The reality is sometimes I don't want to be around people but I still want to feel better and going for a run, a hike, or just being in nature helps a lot. Ridding my horses, walking with my dogs, or just petting my cat helps. Participating in hobbies like baking, art, sewing (I love making masks for others) can really helps too. And sometimes just enjoying bubble gum TV is just what the doctor called for.

If I'm feeling very emotional I'll cry because crying to me is therapeutic. I'll also listen to music, help someone or just relax. Even though at times relaxing will make me have more time to think about what's bugging me, but it's important to not avoid what's bothering you as it will only prolong the problem. Sit with it and see what's up, what's been bothering you and how you can make it better.

@GlenM

Coping skills which works for me are -

- penning down my feelings

- listening to energetic songs which makes me feel like dancing

- reading novels

- watching cartoons

- talking with best friends

- watching stand-up comedy

I do anything to avoid being idle too long. Time to sit and reflect is always good but too much of it tends to turn bad for me.

I make a weekly list of jobs and hobbies to commit to and change it up regularly so I dont get bored with repetitive tasks. This way i take care of my responsibilities around the home and i reward myself with hobby time.

@GlenM

often, when I get stressed, (when chill does not take over) , I imagine myself , In a library of my creation and I am just sat with my (hopefull) future partner (male usually) infront of the fireplace and we are just reading, together.

I have created a little world up there I guess.

sometimes I imagine myself coming home from a hard day at work/school and then later fall asleep in his arms whilst reading.

when I wake up there Is some coffee and breakfast already made by the armchair table but I stay in bed just to hold him and cuddle up together.

sometimes I just put on some music and cry (I cry very loudly if there is no music - I am almoast silent with it on ?)

other times I see the *amazing* people of 7 cups or my *amazing* friends.- I am so lucky to have people like you guys.

anyway, hope this helps (probrobly won't but it's good to vent I guess)

thank you for reading