Feeling Down.

What helps you feel better when you are feeling down and out? In my personal life lately it has been one blow after another and I am feeling overwhelmed and poopy. What always makes you feel better?

Wish I had a magic cure. Well, if it's worse than transient "life" and becomes true depression, there are pretty miraculous meds, not "happy pills" but "normal-making pills". However, I don't think that's what you are asking.

Things that work for me -- a nice soak in a bath or a hot tub, especially when it's chilly out. Curling up with a favorite book, sometimes a favorite childhood book. Going for a walk someplace beautiful. Watching a favorite movie. Going into my "studio" (it's a desk in the bonus room with the cat food and litterboxes) and making something (although if I screw it up, I can wind up feeling worse). If I'm really stirred up, writing poetry. Hugging a cat. Hugging a bird.

But I'm sure looking forward to all the answers, cause I'm having a tough time right now as well.

Some personal time with my birds always makes things better for me.

I find something that needs taken care of or needs to get done and i do it.Completing a task gives me some sense of worth when i've been feeling down.

For me things that take my attention, but are still fun to do, and/or things that are very familiar to me help.

Playing a game with family. Board games, tag, cards, hide-and-seek, anything really.

Something I like doing, like reading or drawing or videogames. Usually books I've read already and love, doodling with no real goal in mind, and the videogames would be no-brainers I've beaten already.

Playing with a pet. Playing fetch with dogs, rubbing various bellies, stroking cats, cuddling or playing with birds. Maybe cuddling with one while reading or watching TV.

Watch a favorite movie. Make a night of it, make popcorn with all sorts of kooky fixin's on top.

Take a walk.

Try cooking a new recipe. I'm not particularly fond of cooking itself, but seeing (and eating!) the finished product makes me proud.

Kids books I used to love to bits always make me feel better. Little Red Hen and Guess How Much I Love You and the like...

Make one of your boys hug you. Hugs help.

Sorry, don't have many new ideas. A good book, some good music, blow some things up in a video game, hugs from the kids, have a cat snuggle up with you (and I am not a cat person), or some good physical exercise. Good luck, hope you feel better.

I crank up the music and dance around (badly) or something that distracts me and gets my blood pumping. that and pretty much everything else that's already been said. 'specially love my childhood books or a good movie night. Bubble baths, too, are really nice. last but not least plenty of hugs! feel better

Reading one of my favorite books helps. Or watching a good tear jerking movie to cry it all out. Taking nice hot baths with all the goody stuff inside: bath salts, bath bombs, etc. Patrick makes bath salts for me, if you want I can send you some. They smell soo good. What else do I do.. Call my little sister. Eat lots of comfort food, even though I shouldnt(like right now.. Im eating frosting ). Going to the gym, or just taking a walk. Any amount of exercise releases happy chemicals in your brain! Cuddling my dog. Hugs always help. I also keep a blog, writing is a good way to get it all out. Or, all of the above(:

Thanks guys, lots of good ideas in this thread. I spent the morning outside with my toddler, banned myself from school work, bought extra goodies at the store, and cooked a big chicken taco dinner with all the bells and whistles. I feel better for now, but the worst isn't over.

Quote :

I spent the morning outside with my toddler

Spending time with my little brother always puts me in a good mood. They always have something funny to say

I cook....LOTS...

I cook, I read, I write.

If it's a really bad day or something really hurtful, I'll go for a walk or just sit on the steps and let myself cry.

I also call my grandma. Something about talking things over with her is like counseling for my soul. You can borrow her if you want

I listen to classical music and make pasta too. LOL

Write a list of the things that you're thankful for and things that you know you're good at. It may help to remind yourself that even in horrible situations, you're worth a lot.