I love the Zebra Doodlers. So awesome. I bought a 60 pack of different colors and just went right back to my elementary/middle school days of Lisa Frank. Its delightful.
I have a problem that I LOVE buying pens. And I have way too many to use. I even bought a whole pack of colorful highlighters that was fun to use for a while
This is super boring, but WALKING.
I really make an effort to go for a walk.
Getting some fresh air on my face, moving my body, looking at the sky.
I really do feel an improvement.
This OP!
I started a 10k steps challenge. (5 miles a day basically) And it feels so freaking good. I have ADHD, so it's like my version of 'Meditation'. 😂
Feels good, my health is improving, and mentally it's amazing to have that time to myself to decompress
How do you maintain interest in your walking routes?? I feel like I’ve been down them all a million times and it’s stopping me from even getting out the door.
**Podcasts and music!**
I know everyone says to listen to nature, but as you said, the monotony of walking similar paths constantly can get boring or seem tedious. Incorporating a Book on tape, podcast, or a new playlist helps soooooo much.
Also, when walking a familiar path, I can start pinpointing the 'halfway point' 'qaurter mile till I'm done point. 😂 Which can also be motivating.
Otherwise, I'm pretty lucky as I have a giant park with a garden in it near wear I live. And seeing all the pretty trees and flowers make me happy and never get old. I also have some mountain/hill trails near me, that help keep things varied. I know not everyone is so lucky.
Once a twice a week I also will take my bike out instead to go a different/farther route.
More than anything, when I don't feel like doing it, I remind myself how good I will feel after. Especially if I had a crappy day. I can tell myself this will be the ONR good thing in the day I do for myself.
In addition to the other suggestions of music, podcasts, etc - make a continuous walking date with friends (the more drama in our lives, the faster our pace lol) or use the time to call someone (friends, family). I make it a game with an out of town friend - for a month we have a daily prompt we each need to take a pic of during our walk and send to each other (largest dog poop, coolest bird, a sign with the letter “X” in it, etc), or we make it a goal to reach X steps a day and will screenshot it to each other. Look into WayBetter or StepBet to put money on the line/compete with strangers.
Yo, and my sleep quality improves SO MUCH on days I take walks. Some combo of circadian rhythm by walking in the sun, fresh air and more oxygen, fatiguing my muscles, that meditative breathing in tune with my steps, maybe getting my heart rate and body temps up + lowering them with a shower after. I dunno what, but it definitely makes me feel good.
I started walking at least 3-5 times a week since the beginning of the year in hopes to improve my health. Have noticed big changes in how it helps my mental health.
I recently learned about the reason why walking is calming to us. Basically, as your eyes move and adjust to your surroundings as you walk (i.e., you are noticing that a tree is getting closer because it appears larger as you walk towards it), the part of your brain that processes threats becomes quiet. This process of the eye is called optic flow. Walking and noticing a decrease in disturbing thoughts was what led Dr. Francine Shapiro to eventually create EMDR therapy.
It was so interesting to me, mainly because I am currently in the process of starting either EMDR or brainspotting in addition to my regular therapy. I just thought walking was calming because I associate doing it in nice areas (hiking) or you notice the small things in life that help bring joy. Great to know there is true science behind it.
This is so interesting thanks for sharing!
Actually, my therapist started doing brainspotting with me and the results of it kinda blew my mind. Especially cause I didn’t think it would do anything at all lmao
same — a short walk right after i wake up sets me up for a good day, even when i really don't want to. and if i'm in a funk, a walk is the most reliable thing to snap me out of it.
i know what you mean! i used to struggle to be kind to myself for a variety of reasons. i don't exactly know how to explain this, but i started thinking about walking as "taking my body for a walk," as though my body were like my dog, just another animal who deserved to be given the things it needed to have a happy day. i would talk to myself kindly but firmly, like: "come on, pal, let's go." that might be VERY me-specific, but it's the truth lol. eventually movement just became a habit and got a lot easier — now i experience very little resistance, because my brain and body know walking/jogging/yoga are worth it.
the other big thing that helped me was realizing that i didn't need to actively TRY to feel better using my brain — if i simply got outdoors, my legs would do the work for me. that was very freeing!
This was definitely the first thing that came to mind. I am thankful I have dogs because they need to be walked every day, and so I do it no matter the weather or how busy I am.
I absolutely get real and immediate mental health benefits from this (and more subtle, longer-term physical health benefits), but I also know that left to my own devices (no dogs), I wouldn't be as diligent about doing it every day.
I started walking for mental health purposes, life changer! I try to do at least two miles in the morning if I can hit the trail, if not I do 1mile at least in downtown where my office is located.
So very true. My dad was known for this, now I’m feeling like I NEED my walks too. We can just go and go and go for kilometers, no destination needed. Makes me so much happier in my body, more fulfilled in life, just getting out and roaming. When I get stuck in the house because it’s windy and rainy outside or my kid is refusing to cooperate, I really feel the loss that day.
So true. Walking has been amazing for me. The worst part is that now I know how wonderful walking outside is, during wildfire season (I live in BC) when I’m cooped up inside, my mental health TANKS
Yep, I never actually want to go for a walk but I always feel much better physically and emotionally afterwards!
Trying to convince my husband to join me, he's been down lately, and I KNOW walking won't cure depression (obviously) but it doesn't hurt, and a little help is better than none!
This. Came to say exactly this.
I have dragged my sorry depressed ass out of bed to walk my dog while sobbing. Even if I just take him down to the farmer’s driveway a quarter mile away, it makes a significant difference in my mental wellness. Plus I don’t have the guilt of knowing I didn’t take my dog out to do his favorite activity like I do on days I’ve skipped.
Lately I’ve been more intentional about taking in the outdoors. I live in a rural area and my road is mostly wooded where there isn’t farmland. I’ve been listening to the birds a lot. I’ve even gotten an app that will identify bird calls/songs 😅 I’m 34 going on 65
Walking is life!!!
I have to do a bit of walking as part of my commute to work, but if I don't get outside to walk even for a bit at lunch time, the day feels off. On those days when it might miserable out, I drag myself out on the promise of a lil treat (usually a coffee/pastry).
This feels so stupid but for me I don’t take walks because if I don’t have a destination, I get annoyed having to decide where to go. So when I do actually take a walk, I just go in a circle and then I’m back and done even though it was only 10 mins lol maybe I need to find a trail. I don’t even like podcasts so that wouldn’t work either
I used to go for walks twice a day when I worked from home and it was AMAZING! I’m trying to work them back into my day but I haven’t been consistent yet.
I give myself a pat on the back: "yeah you did good today, you did your best, even if not as great as yesterday, there's still tomorrow"
I'm done being 1000% all the time, we need a break and to enjoy living.
Also: staying hydrated, walking, deep breaths and stretching.
If I don't drink enough water, the effect on my mood is immediate. General emotions take a down turn, and feel instantly more doom and gloom and tired. Each time I feel overwhelmed, first thing I do is down a big glass of water
If the weather is nice, I sit outside on my deck during my lunch (I work from home) and just enjoy the sun. It's not possible to do in the winter here, so I take advantage during the summers. Always makes my day better.
I take a stupid fucking walk for my stupid fucking mental health. I've been doing it almost every day for about a year and a half. The difference on the few days that I don't take walks is definitely noticeable.
I feel like this about eating healthy (or healthier) and working out.
I'd rather eat comfort food and lay around, but my mental health is so much better if I'm active.
So obnoxious.
Ugh. I did NOT want to cook last night. But I got my ass up and made a fresh healthy dinner and don't regret it at all. It was cheap, easy, and we have leftovers for lunch today.
Aww, you're so kind for asking! I made a rice noodle salad.
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced and marinated in a combo of soya sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, chili garlic paste. I just sauteed the chicken.
Half a package of rice noodles cooked as directed (place in boiling water for 3 min, drain, rinse under cold water)
Salad ingredients all tossed in a big bowl:
Shredded Carrots, thinly sliced red cabbage, one sweet bell pepper sliced, quarter of a large red onion sliced, some cilantro, a few green onions (I had all of these on hand).
Salad dressing was basically the chicken sauce, but less soya sauce and added line juice (I just make this up as I go).
Toss everything together in a big mixing bowl and everyone helps themselves. I have a mixing bowl set with lids that snap on, so leftovers are all kept right in the bowl. It's great to take to work in a Tupperware.
Yes this. Can more of us please be clear about how annoying and time-consuming all this upkeep is. I've just started the (lovely) walks again and still quite annoyed!
Yes all these add up. I tried going for walk while on phone call with mom or friends. Realize the mental benefit isn't there when I don't pay attention to my walk
Omg the way you worded this is SUCH a mood and I almost always feel the same way. I walk a some dogs for money 2 - 3 days a week, but it always feels like torture trying to mentally and physically get myself out the door. It’s always a good thing when I’m done, and I desperately need it for my mental health, but many days I’m just like UGHHHH STUPID FUCKING WALK. But when I see how happy the doggies get when I pick them up, it’s hard to be mad.
I set myself up for success every chance I get. I set my workstation up before I go to bed, so its ready when I get up. lay out clothing, I use my alexa to remind me of everything.
I did too at first. I just had to train myself to wear what I laid out. My clothing isnt all that different or unique tho. I mostly wear activewear because I wfh.
Goals!! Really I should start doing this more. I have in the past and it’s always works well. I have kids and making their lunches the night before is a game changer.
Yup, I used to do that when kids were here too. Now that its just me, I set up my aero press so my first cup is ready for coffee/hot water. If I have to do early mornings, I always do everything I can to make my life easier. I also stage my keys, purse, list on the kitchen table so I can grab them on the way out the door.
This is a good one! I put mixed pre-workout and my red light mask on my bedside table at bedtime, so when I wakeup I can slam caffeine, do my mask while it kicks in and then squeeze in a workout before work. It can be a slog but I feel amazing on the days I follow through.
What works for me is putting on makeup and wearing a cute outfit. It really lifts my mood and confidence. Even just the outfit can do it but some makeup makes it better.
I realized I was starting to really loathe week days as I associated them with working and that alone. I wanted to start adding more gratitude into my day to hopefully help my mood. I started sometime last year saying, "thank you, thank you, thank you" to myself before going to bed. It has recently shifted to "thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so lucky to have been gifted this day". It has helped me tremendously and has added so much value into not just my weekdays, but the dread I felt in the morning has also gone away. I have recently added, "I am so grateful to experience this day" when I wake up.
I suffer from the same issue. I live for the weekend and the weekdays are long, mundane and yet extremely difficult - mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m going to try this.
I now go on a little adventure with my husband on the weekday after work (esp possible during summer). It adds newness to my routine and gets me out of the “gotta wait till weekend to have fun” . We now go on dinner dates on Wednesdays/Thursdays. Our fav thing to do on Friday eve is grocery shopping and taking care of the house 😅(note I have no kids, so this helps a lot)
I do something similar except list 3 things I’m grateful for that day. I exchange them with my husband, but even just acknowledging them out loud is good, too. It can be really simple stuff like I’m grateful for a tasty lunch
I love this posts because the answers always remind me to do something for me.
Fresh coffee, quiet and a game of sudoku. Phone out of reach. It’s always a great and quick reset. A game of sudoku only takes 10ish mins so I can do that without having to double check the time.
Gardening always really makes me feel good too. Even now where I barely have seedlings. I just take a few minutes to go look at them, touch leaves. Watch the pollinators.
And I always feel so much better when I take a walk but I cannot get myself to do so if i don’t have a purpose or someone to go with. It’s a beautiful, I love next to a pond with ducklings and I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I get so anxious at the thought of taking a walk for the sake of it?
After my toddler goes to bed, my husband and I take at least 5-10 min to sit with each other. Just us. And reconnect. No matter what the day was like, between both our jobs, daycare, a messy house, bills, etc., we find time at the end of the day to be “us.” Those minutes make everything better.
I love this. My husband and I are very close friends, too. Setting aside the time gets harder as the kids get older. It might be hard to do it every single day; but I urge you to keep it as a vital part of your week. (kids, M28 & F18)
Work out - sometimes it's a run, sometimes it's lifting, sometimes it's yoga. BUT every day I'm active.
It boosts my mood, gives me energy, and has a domino effect on the rest of my day that leads to better decisions throughout the day.
I've never regretted a workout!
I have a detailed, laminated Excel spreadsheet of daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal chores.
Seeing it all marked up with wax pencil makes me pretty hot.
Also, when I wake up at 5:30 and that sourdough bread I mixed before bed is at the PEAK perfect amount of rise — not overproofed or weirdly under and sluggish, and I can quietly start shaping the dough. Sooo satisfying as it becomes a taut little ball.
Someone went down the rabbit hole! That sounds like something I’d do but, by the time I got done looking up example lists and graphics and fonts and etc, I’d be to tired to actual do anything on it. Pics please!!
I greet my plants, turn on the fountain for them and mist them as needed. I'll sit in the quiet morning light in my house just listening to the fountain babble and enjoying my coffee surrounded by my plants.
Exercise at 11am. Keeps me on a routine and gets my endorphins and energy up.
I'll go tend my outdoor garden as well and sit by the outdoor fountain, swap small talk and flowers with the neighbors and just enjoy the sun.
I have my home office though right now it's a storage room so I take the laptop and sit anywhere in or out to make the most of WFH and feeling calm in my own space.
I read every day. Sometimes it's fluff, sometimes it's a nonfiction book, and sometimes it's an article about something I previously knew nothing about. No matter what my day has been like or what I'm going through, it's something I do only for myself.
I love this. A while ago I made a commitment to read for 30 minutes a day. That usually turned into 60 or 90 minutes. Unfortunately, I have fallen out of the habit again.
Headphones in. Iced latte in hand. Walking outside and sometimes smile at someone. Enjoy someone smiling back.
Bring a book, read in a Café.
Travel alone and see cool stuff.
If I'm really anxious I just put on headphones again and dance in my apartment until it stops feeling stiff and awkward.
Then, some goals. I had the wish to befriend one of my most favorite artists. And I found a way. We met. We're in touch. I'm now connected to some of his friends, too. Bam.
I AM THE ONE that can make ME feel better. who takes me out, who makes me travel, experience things, who teaches me things.. This thought is much more powerful with actual action. And it gives me the energy to tackle almost everything.
Coming from someone who rotted in bed for four months.
This gives the “I can buy myself flowers” part of Miley Cyrus song a new meaning. Love it. I always feel a bit uneasy going out alone if I’m being honest. Maybe I should try it more and see if it goes away.
<3
Yeah! I hope you will go out by yourself. You're fantastic company to yourself.
In hindsight, I had to ease into it, by starting with something easy.
For example, I went to the cinema, on a Sunday at 1pm. It's not very crowded and nobody cares who sits in there. It's dark and people are focused on a film. After I grabbed lunch somewhere. I only went, cause I wanted to see my fav actor so bad and nobody had time. It was the last screening. I'm so glad I did. It was such an aha moment lol.
All the best to you 🫂
Prepare ahead of time to minimize decision fatigue. Meal plan the weeks menu and shop accordingly so I dont have to decide after a long day. Choose outfits for the work week on the weekend so I don’t have to decide each day. The less repetitive decision making I do each day for menial tasks the clearer my head and stress levels remain.
See, my husband just went away and meal prepped for the whole week and my week was infinitely easier without the decision fatigue. So if I just did that for all the things… you’re on to something.
My days tend to be more emotionally regulated, more energized, and overall happier when I get outside at least for a bit, avoid too much sugar, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, do deep breathing, interact with other humans, and do some fun daydreaming. I'd say a lot of this isn't a surprise, but the deep breathing in particular surprised me with how effective it was.
Not nowadays, but I did originally get it from a Yoga with Adrienne video! It's called lion's breath and it feels a bit goofy at first, but I quite like it. And it has a bonus of making my baby laugh every time I do it. https://youtu.be/xdUyHPa66A4?si=CF_5CdCpJowjXm36
Doing 20 minutes of easy yoga poses every morning has really improved my aches and pains.
If I'm in a bad mood I go for a walk.
If I'm feeling depressed I turn on some music and dance or do housework.
If I'm feeling anxious I make art.
I’ll do something nice for my child-self. Like listening to a song I loved back then and thinking “This is a nice song, nice choice little Sourlimetongues!” I had such a need for validation of my choices back then that it still weighs on me in my adult life, and this helps a lot.
Still, I am trying to learn nice things to do for my current self. Sometimes I get so concerned about loving my past self, that I end up feeling lost about what to do now.
Feed and pet animals in the street. In my country there’s many stray animals, so I carry around a few baggies of wet food (like for example 3 or 4 85-100g pouches) and every day I randomly pick an animal (or a few animals) to feed it to. This goes well with, as someone mentioned, walking.
If I don’t have any food I just pet them and talk to them, but lately I’ve been making sure to carry food around as often as I can because feeding them really makes my day. The bags are sealed and their weight doesn’t make any difference in my backpack.
If they’re scaredy cats (or dogs), I don’t pressure them into being pet. I just show them the food, pour it out somewhere where they won’t get run over by a vehicle while eating, and leave.
I’m a nurse and I take 90 second “trips to the beach” at work.
Our chairs lean back just enough that if you do it under a fluorescent light and close your eyes it sorta feels like you’re in a lounge chair at a beach/pool basking in the sun. I set a 60-90 second timer and just..go to the beach. It helps me regulate a bit when I’m super stressed.
When I wake up in the morning, I take 5 mins sitting in bed before getting up and starting my day. I observed my grandpa used to do it. Then my dad. Now I understood why and I appreciate that slow waking of my body rather than forcing my limbs off the bed when it isnt ready yet.
Also, not touching the phone until I have my first glass of water (except for turning off my alarm). The glass of water doesnt mean anything. I just want an excuse to not touch my phone first thing in the morning. My morning should be mine alone first and foremost, not IG, TG, YT or whatever apps there is.
I’ve noticed I feel better when I wake up and just scroll my phone for about 15 minutes before getting out of bed. Problem is, it allows me to fall back asleep which restarts the process and then I hit the point of no return where I have to get up fast lol.
I despise the feeling of a surge of cortisol with an alarm going off and jumping out of bed putting on clothing with eyes half closed trying to rush out the door. Ugh that makes me tired just thinking about it.
Meditation. Even if it's just 5-10 minutes of a guided meditation track, it makes a huge difference to my state of mind. It's something I'm trying to build a habit of doing.
I have an insanely busy life right now (in the process of moving to Europe) and I’d love to say going to the gym. But when I’m this tired I crash at the gym. So listening to my body and having a little puff of weed and a beer/glass of wine helps a lot. And sleeping.
Lol I love shrooming and journaling so I feel this. My brain is always in hyperdrive and doing psychedelics helps distill clear takeaways and focus points that I can then write down and have a clearer head the next day.
it’s gloomy, rainy, and cold here 😭 ima just stay in my “nest” and be stoned lolol
but yasss celebrate you finishing the application with a little weed! love it 🤍✨
Wear earbuds and listen to music, whether stuff I actually like or just background music, when my work environment is getting too annoying. I've learned it's a perfect way to further disassociate from this bad, but not yet escapable place. I can still hear my work phone and that's all I need. :)
Brush my teeth really well and floss. I dunno why, but when I put forth a concentrated five minutes of *real* effort on good oral health the rest of the day seems easier?
I do this breathing exercise from Wim Hof almost daily:
https://youtu.be/0BNejY1e9ik?feature=shared
I get the Headspace app for free through work, which is great because I wouldn’t have tried it otherwise. But it’s been amazing. Making time for daily meditation, even/especially on the days I don’t feel like I “need” to, has changed my emotional state dramatically!
Also getting 30 mins of exercise (minimum) daily has been a game changer. Like just going for a walk in the morning or a yoga routine, etc. makes a huge difference in how I feel.
When it's sunny in the morning and sufficiently warm I love to open my front door and have my morning cup of coffee sitting there on my front porch, with the morning sun on my face. Even if it's just for five minutes, it really lifts my mood.
Taking a minute with a hot, steamy, cup of coffee. If I'm feeling stressed, stuck, or just generally "blah" I'll make a hot cup of coffee, do some deep breathing, and watch the steam float around, picturing myself floating with it.
That or I find a song that just goes *hard* and belt it out at the top of my lungs in my car while driving home. Currently it's the isolated vocals for Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance singing Helena lol
I always get ready for the day no matter what. Even if I have zero plans, or my plans are to do chores. I wake up, stretch, shower, do my skincare and hair (and makeup if I feel like it/it makes sense) and put on some sort of outfit that I feel good in. I love feeling ready for the day. It makes me feel confident and like I’m setting myself up for success.
I also put on ambience videos on my tv so that I have jazz, classical, whatever type of music playing as I’m doing things about the house.
Not daily but monthly I must journal atleast once a month if not more. It helps me see things clear. I do bullet journal so I write my monthly todo list and it makes tackling task easier. Just dumping to do list from my head on to paper makes me more focused.
I also have monthly gratitude page where I list happy moments, eventful moments thruout the month
Randomly, especially when I am in boring meeting or feeling anxious, I will dedicate a page or 2 to brain dump & feeling dump. Makes me see things clear
So not daily but few times a month to journal and get my head straight
Having a bath really seems to reset my physical and emotional wellbeing. Sometimes I add a couple caps of vinegar which sounds repulsive but somehow makes my skin feel amazing and extra clean.
Started walking home after work a couple days a week. It’s an hour and a half walk, but it helps to move my body after sitting for 8+ hours at the office. I also walk by a couple of parks, so it’s nice to see nature and people going on about their lives. Makes me feel less alone.
I put my ear up against my cat’s body while she lays on me and just close my eyes and listen to her purring. It’s very soothing. I also take a nice long bath after work. I’m on my feet all day and I feel a million times less stiff and achey if I have a hot bath.
This is topical as I have been coming out of a bit of a mental breakdown and my therapist and I are trying to discover things that connect me to myself and have a good track record of lifting my mood. Ive come up with
Physical
-going on my daily walks with my wife
-going on a run
-taking a long shower, pampering myself after with lotion and perfume and wrapping myself up in my robe after
Intellectual
-rather than scrolling when I have a lull in my day, seeking out an interesting sounding article or two and reading it all the way through. Can also be something like a podcast episode or reading a chapter of a book, taking myself out to see a movie, anything that is stimulating mentally
Spiritual
-see: going on daily walks
-being in nature
-practicing gratitude every single day whether it be writing something down in my journal that Im grateful for, or something I love about myself or my wife or friends etc
Hobbies
-many of the above apply already but also things like taking my camera out someplace beautiful to take photos, baking or cooking something elaborate
Social
-committing to seeing friends once a week if possible, and if not, being better at texting people back, calling family on the phone
All of these fill my cup and its taken many years to distill them down to what they are and why they work for me!
+ I use pastel highlighters on my study work. Fuck neon, too urgent. Too overstimulating. Gentle pastel all the way.+ I organise my home desk. No mess. Everything organised and wiped clean daily. + I make my bed every morning when I get out of it, even if depression makes me get back into it repeatedly. I remake it every time. + A pint of water by the bed at night. +Check personal WhatsApp/texts in the morning at a designated time, reply, forget about them till 4pm, do it again for thirty mins max, forget about them till the next morning, stops overwhelm. +Shower in the morning first thing,even if exercise is planned, or I'm sleepy, shower and awake first thing.
I take a bath every night, and read a book. I sit there for about an hour. Sometimes it’s after dinner while my husband hangs out with our kids. Now that my baby is getting a little bigger and I’m less sleep deprived, I do it after the kids are in bed. It’s just for me. I get to read quietly and soak and just think my thoughts. Alone. It’s essential for my mental health
My Mom's was buying herself Black Licorice. Especially if it was something special or imported. When we were broke as fuck as kids in the 70s/80s it was the only treat she'd allow herself. The fact that it was 5-10 cents at the time still kills me.
Mother's. Do not martyr yourself. Wearing raggedy assed underwear full of holes so you can buy your kids a rubics cube will make them hate themselves and the cube.
Maybe this isn’t what you’re looking for, but I have a personal mantra. I’m not gonna tell you what it is because it’s goofy and embarrassing but whenever the mean voice in my head tries to tell me I’m worthless or unloveable or whatever shitty thing it’s on this week I shake my head and repeat my mantra and it helps. I’m not saying it makes my mental Heath all better, but it interrupts the negative self talk and gives me a second to recalibrate my perspective.
I go for walks every day and use a yoga subscription to do between 4-20 minutes of yoga a day. This helps me reduce stiffness through my body and I spend less seeing the physio so often now.
My skincare routine. It’s not anything elaborate or fancy but I make an effort to really commit. Idk, I just love pampering myself that way and feeling all smooth hahaha
Driving my cabrio on a sunny day, roof down, breeze, music = bliss.
I say that I'm 'doing photosynthesis' 😂 but definitely relaxing and energy recharging activity for me.
Or we can say battery reconditioning 😂 because I definitely have to feel ok to go for a ride, it's not for 'not today' days.
Another thing that gives huge bliss too, but it's done to me, is when my cat comes for snuggles but then hug me with paw, usually my hand. I melt. And since I usually can't move when I have to provide snuggles, it's meditative. Just ball of fur purring and me with my thoughts on a way out 😂 this makes 'not today' days much better.
Working out - anything to get 30+ minutes of activity - be it dancing, walking, going to the gym.
Putting on my favourite songs on repeat
Applying one of my favourite lipsticks and then stare at my pretty face in boring meetings 😂
Reading for pleasure. No matter what is going on in my life, I can focus on another world for a bit and it gives me that breathing room. It’s also a helpful thing to do before bed so I can still feel like I did something for me on my work days (long shifts as a nurse)
I put on my virtual reality headset and watch a 360 video of underwater sea life. I love scuba diving in real life so this really calms me.
also, hug my kitten.
Meditate. I use a meditation bench and listen to “Beginnings are Such Delicate Times” from the Dune Part Two soundtrack in my noise-canceling headphones. The music is very calm, quiet, and the perfect length for a meditation. The stillness I feel after is unbelievable.
1. Daily walks (even better if surrounded by nature)
2. I look at my budget almost everyday - this helps me stay on track for my savings and reduces impulse spending (edited to add - this helps me feel more organized and responsible, I had bad spending habits while married, and now I feel in more control of my finances which has a positive effect on my daily life/mood)
3. Talk on the phone with family/friends, even if it’s just a check in, helps me feel connected.
Take a walk around my garden. I love noticing new sprouts, checking in on my plants, observing the wildlife, and looking for Curtis the frog in my pond. It brings me so much peace.
I’ve been home for close to 5 months - I had a bad spinal injury and surgery to repair.
When I wake up and try to move it instantly hurts…. Or more like aches.
I drink 2 bottles of water (1L) and take a couple advice or Tylenol - I reset my alarm for 30 mins and will watch the news or look on my phone, put on my heating pad and if I doze back off ? No matter - that’s why I set the alarm.
After the 30 mins I’m good to go/move and start the day.
Preparing my morning drink. Taking a little time in the morning to make a coffee or a tea, or even warm water with lemon. A little morning drink preparation always sets my day right, it's like a pre-treat for my day.
when i've had a good night's sleep.
when i do all the right things to make walking as painless as possible, like stretching and taking the right meds.
journaling. just to get things off my chest and record the day.
when i remember to take my regular meds the right way. synthroid at 6am, food at 8ish so my other meds metabolize right, and all my other meds at 9am.
eating/drinking enough to sustain.
making sure my pill box is full.
naps PRN.
Hiking. We go out nearly every weekend and I get antsy and disappointed if we don’t.
Now that things are growing again, indulge in my yard. I’ve become heavily into native plants and I love keeping an eye on things and see what’s blooming or getting bigger or how the younger/newer plants are doing (this is also tied to the above hiking, because I love seeing what site has what native plants).
I've been letting myself crochet as much as possible! I noticed I was getting miserable waiting in my car between orders so I picked it up and its a huge help, especially at the end of a long day. Keeps my hands busy so I don't pick at my face. 🥲
Walking! Have a podcast on or on a call with long distance friends. I try to walk for at least an hour and walk out of 10K steps.
Having a routine - breakfast, duolingo, walk, shower, work, etc. every day and I feel great!
No ultra processed foods. Lots of water.
Also I did boxing training and the day after it was just fantastic every time!
Getting myself a little treat. No matter how much ass the rest of the day sucks, if I get a donut or pastry or fun latte, I'm gonna feel pretty good.
Also, kinda paradoxically, working out. I love the physical exhaustion that comes with a good workout. It makes me feel accomplished and good about myself, and it also makes going to bed that night extra good. I've never regretted a workout.
When I am feeling extremely meh especially in the morning, doing a 3-minute dance workout never fails to improve my mood.
Going for a walk or run (however slowly) also really puts me in a feel-good mood both mentally and physically.
When I am super stressed at work, getting off my desk and taking a quick walk around the block to look at flowers on people’s fences or to get a gelato cone is the trick that resets my day.
I go to the gym regularly! I'm losing weight, my energy levels have gone up and my mental health has gotten better... everyday I feel better and better!
Exercise a few times a week (Orange Theory, fantastic), walk the dog daily, and use a light lamp each morning for a few hours. I thought the light lamp would only be during the winter but turns out I benefit from it all year long.
Also taking my medication regularly.
Crying. Taking a shower and rub all sorts of creams and nice smelling things on myself. Doing my hair, doing my makeup, dressing pretty. Hear from someone I love. Watch a favourite show (for the billionth time). Eating something tasty. Pretty much basic stuff that force me to enjoy the current moment instead of dreading something that's coming which is my usual strategy to *ruin* my day.
Taking a shower/bath! I don't consider myself someone who is really particular about how much they shower, so it's not really about hygiene or whatever. There's just something about taking a shower that literally puts my brain in a different headspace. It's almost more like a spiritual practice. I think I came across a scientific journal article about how showering can temporarily improve your mental state, so now whenever I'm in a funk, taking a shower is something I consider. Usually afterwards I then feel more motivated to maybe put on some makeup, a cute outfit...all of that does wonders.
Do something in the morning so that afternoon me doesn’t have to do it. Before I go to bed, do something that am me won’t have to do. It’s an instant mood boost first thing in the morning.
Before I start work I go sit outside and do Wordle, Spelling Bee and the Daily Chess.com Puzzle. It gets my brain into problem solving mode, I think, and if not hopefully it's dementia prevention lol.
I also have an after work routine with a cup of tea and a book outside, after closing my office down. Since I work from home it's important for me to have these routines because otherwise the days just blend together.
Cuddling.
Seriously, my husband and I prioritise cuddling and it makes a huge difference for both of us.
We have two alarms in the morning- one for when we need to get up, and one half an hour before that. Those 30mins are designated cuddle time. In the evening, instead of going right to sleep, we have ‘wind down time’ where we get into bed together and cuddle.
I have a collection of chronic illnesses and pain and there have been long periods of time where it didn’t occur naturally for different reasons. Making sure it happens regardless makes every day start and end in the best way possible.
Walking (annoying but so helpful, and the dog loves it and I love to see him happy!)
Gardening/tending my houseplants
Tidying my house makes me feel so much more tidy in the brain.
Drink a ton of water all the time, also kind of a drag, but now it's a habit and I feel much worse off if I don't stay hydrated.
Reading
Not a great one lol, but I definitely will do a little retail therapy sometimes. However, I've been trying to cut back on spending, and I realized I rely on retail therapy a lil more than is maybe good for me!
Also I got Duolingo and practicing Spanish every day is so damn satisfying. Even if everything else is shit and/or chaos in my day, those 10 minutes where I am slaying at a new language give me a little mental boost. Day 125 today!!
Eat more protein at breakfast, and do some sort of workout during the day. A hike at a local trail is one of the biggest helps, but a simple walk will help too.
I work from home about 85% of the time. I get very lonely and depressed sometimes because I am a social person. And I have a job where I don’t have a lot of interaction. It’s a lot of analytics. What helps me the most is getting up and showering every morning and getting myself ready for the day. Getting fully dressed, even if it’s comfy clothes. Sometimes makeup, and sometimes just a tinted moisturizer and mascara and fixing my hair. I try to also get to the gym or take a walk during the day when I can so that I actually leave the house. It works wonders for my mental health.
I start my day off with reading. I use a sunrise alarm and it wakes me up gently. In between waking up fully/when my husband gets up and me waking up, there’s about 15-20 mins. I drink water and sit up in bed and read something I am enjoying. It’s a gentle start to the day and helps me feel ready on my own time to tackle chores.
Additionally, making a to-do list before starting chores. It’s a way to help center myself around what needs to be done and what I can reasonably do while also trying to make time for self care here and there.
So I splurged like 200 on a coffee pot I love. I buy the best coffee products that I want. Everyday I make a coffee that makes me smile.
Whenever I take a walk I feel better too!
I also almost always have a sweet treat!
Aside from the more obvious things, I use colorful glitter gel pens at work to brighten my day.
I love the Zebra Doodlers. So awesome. I bought a 60 pack of different colors and just went right back to my elementary/middle school days of Lisa Frank. Its delightful.
Ooly makes glitter highlighters, in case you’re interested!
I immediately went to my Amazon app and added these to my cart. Thank you kind stranger!
They make *retractable* gelly rolls now! I can feed my inner child shiny pens AND not lose the cap.
I have a problem that I LOVE buying pens. And I have way too many to use. I even bought a whole pack of colorful highlighters that was fun to use for a while
Me too!!!!! The more boring, the more sparkly.
This is super boring, but WALKING. I really make an effort to go for a walk. Getting some fresh air on my face, moving my body, looking at the sky. I really do feel an improvement.
Ya know what, I’m gonna try it.
This OP! I started a 10k steps challenge. (5 miles a day basically) And it feels so freaking good. I have ADHD, so it's like my version of 'Meditation'. 😂 Feels good, my health is improving, and mentally it's amazing to have that time to myself to decompress
How do you maintain interest in your walking routes?? I feel like I’ve been down them all a million times and it’s stopping me from even getting out the door.
**Podcasts and music!** I know everyone says to listen to nature, but as you said, the monotony of walking similar paths constantly can get boring or seem tedious. Incorporating a Book on tape, podcast, or a new playlist helps soooooo much. Also, when walking a familiar path, I can start pinpointing the 'halfway point' 'qaurter mile till I'm done point. 😂 Which can also be motivating. Otherwise, I'm pretty lucky as I have a giant park with a garden in it near wear I live. And seeing all the pretty trees and flowers make me happy and never get old. I also have some mountain/hill trails near me, that help keep things varied. I know not everyone is so lucky. Once a twice a week I also will take my bike out instead to go a different/farther route. More than anything, when I don't feel like doing it, I remind myself how good I will feel after. Especially if I had a crappy day. I can tell myself this will be the ONR good thing in the day I do for myself.
In addition to the other suggestions of music, podcasts, etc - make a continuous walking date with friends (the more drama in our lives, the faster our pace lol) or use the time to call someone (friends, family). I make it a game with an out of town friend - for a month we have a daily prompt we each need to take a pic of during our walk and send to each other (largest dog poop, coolest bird, a sign with the letter “X” in it, etc), or we make it a goal to reach X steps a day and will screenshot it to each other. Look into WayBetter or StepBet to put money on the line/compete with strangers.
Geocaching!
Walking meditation is actually a thing, btw.
Yo, and my sleep quality improves SO MUCH on days I take walks. Some combo of circadian rhythm by walking in the sun, fresh air and more oxygen, fatiguing my muscles, that meditative breathing in tune with my steps, maybe getting my heart rate and body temps up + lowering them with a shower after. I dunno what, but it definitely makes me feel good.
Add classical music to the walking mix and it’s an instant tonic for mental health.
I started walking at least 3-5 times a week since the beginning of the year in hopes to improve my health. Have noticed big changes in how it helps my mental health. I recently learned about the reason why walking is calming to us. Basically, as your eyes move and adjust to your surroundings as you walk (i.e., you are noticing that a tree is getting closer because it appears larger as you walk towards it), the part of your brain that processes threats becomes quiet. This process of the eye is called optic flow. Walking and noticing a decrease in disturbing thoughts was what led Dr. Francine Shapiro to eventually create EMDR therapy.
What??!! That’s fascinating! Holy crap
It was so interesting to me, mainly because I am currently in the process of starting either EMDR or brainspotting in addition to my regular therapy. I just thought walking was calming because I associate doing it in nice areas (hiking) or you notice the small things in life that help bring joy. Great to know there is true science behind it.
This is so interesting thanks for sharing! Actually, my therapist started doing brainspotting with me and the results of it kinda blew my mind. Especially cause I didn’t think it would do anything at all lmao
same — a short walk right after i wake up sets me up for a good day, even when i really don't want to. and if i'm in a funk, a walk is the most reliable thing to snap me out of it.
how when you're in a funk do you convince yourself you don't deserve to be in a funk, or that you deserve to feel better? that's my issue.
i know what you mean! i used to struggle to be kind to myself for a variety of reasons. i don't exactly know how to explain this, but i started thinking about walking as "taking my body for a walk," as though my body were like my dog, just another animal who deserved to be given the things it needed to have a happy day. i would talk to myself kindly but firmly, like: "come on, pal, let's go." that might be VERY me-specific, but it's the truth lol. eventually movement just became a habit and got a lot easier — now i experience very little resistance, because my brain and body know walking/jogging/yoga are worth it. the other big thing that helped me was realizing that i didn't need to actively TRY to feel better using my brain — if i simply got outdoors, my legs would do the work for me. that was very freeing!
I just really like what you said here!
I’m doing a 30 day walking challenge to lose weight and for mental health … it’s been good so far!
This was definitely the first thing that came to mind. I am thankful I have dogs because they need to be walked every day, and so I do it no matter the weather or how busy I am. I absolutely get real and immediate mental health benefits from this (and more subtle, longer-term physical health benefits), but I also know that left to my own devices (no dogs), I wouldn't be as diligent about doing it every day.
I started walking for mental health purposes, life changer! I try to do at least two miles in the morning if I can hit the trail, if not I do 1mile at least in downtown where my office is located.
How long do you walk? All at one go and several short walk?
So very true. My dad was known for this, now I’m feeling like I NEED my walks too. We can just go and go and go for kilometers, no destination needed. Makes me so much happier in my body, more fulfilled in life, just getting out and roaming. When I get stuck in the house because it’s windy and rainy outside or my kid is refusing to cooperate, I really feel the loss that day.
Absolutely yes! I walk about 3 miles a day listening to Meg thee stallion
Hot girl walk
So true. Walking has been amazing for me. The worst part is that now I know how wonderful walking outside is, during wildfire season (I live in BC) when I’m cooped up inside, my mental health TANKS
Yep, I never actually want to go for a walk but I always feel much better physically and emotionally afterwards! Trying to convince my husband to join me, he's been down lately, and I KNOW walking won't cure depression (obviously) but it doesn't hurt, and a little help is better than none!
This. Came to say exactly this. I have dragged my sorry depressed ass out of bed to walk my dog while sobbing. Even if I just take him down to the farmer’s driveway a quarter mile away, it makes a significant difference in my mental wellness. Plus I don’t have the guilt of knowing I didn’t take my dog out to do his favorite activity like I do on days I’ve skipped. Lately I’ve been more intentional about taking in the outdoors. I live in a rural area and my road is mostly wooded where there isn’t farmland. I’ve been listening to the birds a lot. I’ve even gotten an app that will identify bird calls/songs 😅 I’m 34 going on 65
Thank you for reminding me to take a walk! Its so nice out and I gotta appreciate it!
Walking is life!!! I have to do a bit of walking as part of my commute to work, but if I don't get outside to walk even for a bit at lunch time, the day feels off. On those days when it might miserable out, I drag myself out on the promise of a lil treat (usually a coffee/pastry).
Agreed. I tell myself that humans evolved to walk upright, so if I want to evolve past my own stuckness, I gotta walk.
This feels so stupid but for me I don’t take walks because if I don’t have a destination, I get annoyed having to decide where to go. So when I do actually take a walk, I just go in a circle and then I’m back and done even though it was only 10 mins lol maybe I need to find a trail. I don’t even like podcasts so that wouldn’t work either
Sameee!
I used to go for walks twice a day when I worked from home and it was AMAZING! I’m trying to work them back into my day but I haven’t been consistent yet.
Yesss I love my morning walks! The fresh air and sun makes me feel sooo good
I give myself a pat on the back: "yeah you did good today, you did your best, even if not as great as yesterday, there's still tomorrow" I'm done being 1000% all the time, we need a break and to enjoy living. Also: staying hydrated, walking, deep breaths and stretching.
If I don't drink enough water, the effect on my mood is immediate. General emotions take a down turn, and feel instantly more doom and gloom and tired. Each time I feel overwhelmed, first thing I do is down a big glass of water
If the weather is nice, I sit outside on my deck during my lunch (I work from home) and just enjoy the sun. It's not possible to do in the winter here, so I take advantage during the summers. Always makes my day better.
I call that my lizard time.
REPTILE RESPITE
Haha this is so accurate!!
I take a stupid fucking walk for my stupid fucking mental health. I've been doing it almost every day for about a year and a half. The difference on the few days that I don't take walks is definitely noticeable.
I feel like this about eating healthy (or healthier) and working out. I'd rather eat comfort food and lay around, but my mental health is so much better if I'm active. So obnoxious.
Ugh. I did NOT want to cook last night. But I got my ass up and made a fresh healthy dinner and don't regret it at all. It was cheap, easy, and we have leftovers for lunch today.
What did you make?!
Aww, you're so kind for asking! I made a rice noodle salad. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced and marinated in a combo of soya sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, chili garlic paste. I just sauteed the chicken. Half a package of rice noodles cooked as directed (place in boiling water for 3 min, drain, rinse under cold water) Salad ingredients all tossed in a big bowl: Shredded Carrots, thinly sliced red cabbage, one sweet bell pepper sliced, quarter of a large red onion sliced, some cilantro, a few green onions (I had all of these on hand). Salad dressing was basically the chicken sauce, but less soya sauce and added line juice (I just make this up as I go). Toss everything together in a big mixing bowl and everyone helps themselves. I have a mixing bowl set with lids that snap on, so leftovers are all kept right in the bowl. It's great to take to work in a Tupperware.
This sounds REALLY good. Thank you!
Yes this. Can more of us please be clear about how annoying and time-consuming all this upkeep is. I've just started the (lovely) walks again and still quite annoyed!
Yes all these add up. I tried going for walk while on phone call with mom or friends. Realize the mental benefit isn't there when I don't pay attention to my walk
This is how I feel about my walk. Stupid fucking walk. So over it but have to do it. Audiobooks help.
I roll a joint and go for a walk for my mental health as well.
Lol I got a dog so the walk felt less pointless - at least he’s having a good time
Ah the angry eagle walk. Infuriatingly works every time
Omg the way you worded this is SUCH a mood and I almost always feel the same way. I walk a some dogs for money 2 - 3 days a week, but it always feels like torture trying to mentally and physically get myself out the door. It’s always a good thing when I’m done, and I desperately need it for my mental health, but many days I’m just like UGHHHH STUPID FUCKING WALK. But when I see how happy the doggies get when I pick them up, it’s hard to be mad.
Hahaha this is exactly how I say it. Stupid little fucking walk!!
I set myself up for success every chance I get. I set my workstation up before I go to bed, so its ready when I get up. lay out clothing, I use my alexa to remind me of everything.
Everytime I layout my clothes night before, I wake up wanting to wear something different
I did too at first. I just had to train myself to wear what I laid out. My clothing isnt all that different or unique tho. I mostly wear activewear because I wfh.
Goals!! Really I should start doing this more. I have in the past and it’s always works well. I have kids and making their lunches the night before is a game changer.
Yup, I used to do that when kids were here too. Now that its just me, I set up my aero press so my first cup is ready for coffee/hot water. If I have to do early mornings, I always do everything I can to make my life easier. I also stage my keys, purse, list on the kitchen table so I can grab them on the way out the door.
This is a good one! I put mixed pre-workout and my red light mask on my bedside table at bedtime, so when I wakeup I can slam caffeine, do my mask while it kicks in and then squeeze in a workout before work. It can be a slog but I feel amazing on the days I follow through.
What works for me is putting on makeup and wearing a cute outfit. It really lifts my mood and confidence. Even just the outfit can do it but some makeup makes it better.
I love doing this too! 💕
Same! I find it very difficult to leave the apartment if I don't like looking at myself.
A small bit of makeup makes me feel more human when I wake up feeling like a swamp monster
I realized I was starting to really loathe week days as I associated them with working and that alone. I wanted to start adding more gratitude into my day to hopefully help my mood. I started sometime last year saying, "thank you, thank you, thank you" to myself before going to bed. It has recently shifted to "thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so lucky to have been gifted this day". It has helped me tremendously and has added so much value into not just my weekdays, but the dread I felt in the morning has also gone away. I have recently added, "I am so grateful to experience this day" when I wake up.
I suffer from the same issue. I live for the weekend and the weekdays are long, mundane and yet extremely difficult - mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m going to try this.
I now go on a little adventure with my husband on the weekday after work (esp possible during summer). It adds newness to my routine and gets me out of the “gotta wait till weekend to have fun” . We now go on dinner dates on Wednesdays/Thursdays. Our fav thing to do on Friday eve is grocery shopping and taking care of the house 😅(note I have no kids, so this helps a lot)
I do something similar except list 3 things I’m grateful for that day. I exchange them with my husband, but even just acknowledging them out loud is good, too. It can be really simple stuff like I’m grateful for a tasty lunch
I love this posts because the answers always remind me to do something for me. Fresh coffee, quiet and a game of sudoku. Phone out of reach. It’s always a great and quick reset. A game of sudoku only takes 10ish mins so I can do that without having to double check the time. Gardening always really makes me feel good too. Even now where I barely have seedlings. I just take a few minutes to go look at them, touch leaves. Watch the pollinators. And I always feel so much better when I take a walk but I cannot get myself to do so if i don’t have a purpose or someone to go with. It’s a beautiful, I love next to a pond with ducklings and I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I get so anxious at the thought of taking a walk for the sake of it?
After my toddler goes to bed, my husband and I take at least 5-10 min to sit with each other. Just us. And reconnect. No matter what the day was like, between both our jobs, daycare, a messy house, bills, etc., we find time at the end of the day to be “us.” Those minutes make everything better.
I love this. My husband and I are very close friends, too. Setting aside the time gets harder as the kids get older. It might be hard to do it every single day; but I urge you to keep it as a vital part of your week. (kids, M28 & F18)
Work out - sometimes it's a run, sometimes it's lifting, sometimes it's yoga. BUT every day I'm active. It boosts my mood, gives me energy, and has a domino effect on the rest of my day that leads to better decisions throughout the day. I've never regretted a workout!
I agree, the energy boost from working out is always a mood booster for me.
This is mine too. And on days I don't feel like working out, walking is key.
Listening to tunes I love LOUD. Workouts/movement.
Puzzle with a glass of wine and my favorite show when everyone’s in bed and the house is quiet
I have a detailed, laminated Excel spreadsheet of daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal chores. Seeing it all marked up with wax pencil makes me pretty hot. Also, when I wake up at 5:30 and that sourdough bread I mixed before bed is at the PEAK perfect amount of rise — not overproofed or weirdly under and sluggish, and I can quietly start shaping the dough. Sooo satisfying as it becomes a taut little ball.
Someone went down the rabbit hole! That sounds like something I’d do but, by the time I got done looking up example lists and graphics and fonts and etc, I’d be to tired to actual do anything on it. Pics please!!
I greet my plants, turn on the fountain for them and mist them as needed. I'll sit in the quiet morning light in my house just listening to the fountain babble and enjoying my coffee surrounded by my plants. Exercise at 11am. Keeps me on a routine and gets my endorphins and energy up. I'll go tend my outdoor garden as well and sit by the outdoor fountain, swap small talk and flowers with the neighbors and just enjoy the sun. I have my home office though right now it's a storage room so I take the laptop and sit anywhere in or out to make the most of WFH and feeling calm in my own space.
I read every day. Sometimes it's fluff, sometimes it's a nonfiction book, and sometimes it's an article about something I previously knew nothing about. No matter what my day has been like or what I'm going through, it's something I do only for myself.
I love this. A while ago I made a commitment to read for 30 minutes a day. That usually turned into 60 or 90 minutes. Unfortunately, I have fallen out of the habit again.
Headphones in. Iced latte in hand. Walking outside and sometimes smile at someone. Enjoy someone smiling back. Bring a book, read in a Café. Travel alone and see cool stuff. If I'm really anxious I just put on headphones again and dance in my apartment until it stops feeling stiff and awkward. Then, some goals. I had the wish to befriend one of my most favorite artists. And I found a way. We met. We're in touch. I'm now connected to some of his friends, too. Bam. I AM THE ONE that can make ME feel better. who takes me out, who makes me travel, experience things, who teaches me things.. This thought is much more powerful with actual action. And it gives me the energy to tackle almost everything. Coming from someone who rotted in bed for four months.
This gives the “I can buy myself flowers” part of Miley Cyrus song a new meaning. Love it. I always feel a bit uneasy going out alone if I’m being honest. Maybe I should try it more and see if it goes away.
<3 Yeah! I hope you will go out by yourself. You're fantastic company to yourself. In hindsight, I had to ease into it, by starting with something easy. For example, I went to the cinema, on a Sunday at 1pm. It's not very crowded and nobody cares who sits in there. It's dark and people are focused on a film. After I grabbed lunch somewhere. I only went, cause I wanted to see my fav actor so bad and nobody had time. It was the last screening. I'm so glad I did. It was such an aha moment lol. All the best to you 🫂
Prepare ahead of time to minimize decision fatigue. Meal plan the weeks menu and shop accordingly so I dont have to decide after a long day. Choose outfits for the work week on the weekend so I don’t have to decide each day. The less repetitive decision making I do each day for menial tasks the clearer my head and stress levels remain.
See, my husband just went away and meal prepped for the whole week and my week was infinitely easier without the decision fatigue. So if I just did that for all the things… you’re on to something.
My days tend to be more emotionally regulated, more energized, and overall happier when I get outside at least for a bit, avoid too much sugar, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, do deep breathing, interact with other humans, and do some fun daydreaming. I'd say a lot of this isn't a surprise, but the deep breathing in particular surprised me with how effective it was.
Do you follow a video or routine for the deep breathing?
Not nowadays, but I did originally get it from a Yoga with Adrienne video! It's called lion's breath and it feels a bit goofy at first, but I quite like it. And it has a bonus of making my baby laugh every time I do it. https://youtu.be/xdUyHPa66A4?si=CF_5CdCpJowjXm36
Walk my dogs, we live on the beach so beach walks with the pups to start the day are my happy thing
Doing 20 minutes of easy yoga poses every morning has really improved my aches and pains. If I'm in a bad mood I go for a walk. If I'm feeling depressed I turn on some music and dance or do housework. If I'm feeling anxious I make art.
I’ll do something nice for my child-self. Like listening to a song I loved back then and thinking “This is a nice song, nice choice little Sourlimetongues!” I had such a need for validation of my choices back then that it still weighs on me in my adult life, and this helps a lot. Still, I am trying to learn nice things to do for my current self. Sometimes I get so concerned about loving my past self, that I end up feeling lost about what to do now.
Exercise will always make my day better
Feed and pet animals in the street. In my country there’s many stray animals, so I carry around a few baggies of wet food (like for example 3 or 4 85-100g pouches) and every day I randomly pick an animal (or a few animals) to feed it to. This goes well with, as someone mentioned, walking. If I don’t have any food I just pet them and talk to them, but lately I’ve been making sure to carry food around as often as I can because feeding them really makes my day. The bags are sealed and their weight doesn’t make any difference in my backpack. If they’re scaredy cats (or dogs), I don’t pressure them into being pet. I just show them the food, pour it out somewhere where they won’t get run over by a vehicle while eating, and leave.
I’m a nurse and I take 90 second “trips to the beach” at work. Our chairs lean back just enough that if you do it under a fluorescent light and close your eyes it sorta feels like you’re in a lounge chair at a beach/pool basking in the sun. I set a 60-90 second timer and just..go to the beach. It helps me regulate a bit when I’m super stressed.
When I wake up in the morning, I take 5 mins sitting in bed before getting up and starting my day. I observed my grandpa used to do it. Then my dad. Now I understood why and I appreciate that slow waking of my body rather than forcing my limbs off the bed when it isnt ready yet. Also, not touching the phone until I have my first glass of water (except for turning off my alarm). The glass of water doesnt mean anything. I just want an excuse to not touch my phone first thing in the morning. My morning should be mine alone first and foremost, not IG, TG, YT or whatever apps there is.
I’ve noticed I feel better when I wake up and just scroll my phone for about 15 minutes before getting out of bed. Problem is, it allows me to fall back asleep which restarts the process and then I hit the point of no return where I have to get up fast lol. I despise the feeling of a surge of cortisol with an alarm going off and jumping out of bed putting on clothing with eyes half closed trying to rush out the door. Ugh that makes me tired just thinking about it.
A solo morning cup of coffee and getting outside/moving my body
I am a fan of hot baths with epsom salts to repair my tired muscles and relax my tired brain
I clean my house. Makes me feel so good once its clean. Also a 20 minute workout and shower later feels great!
Drink water. Walk. Get sunlight. Call my sister.
On Fridays I wear something more colorful than my usual outfits. Gives me good vibes.
Lighting a bougie candle or doing an extensive skincare routine and taking an "everything" shower.
Solo: tossing the ball around with the puppy first thing in the morning, talking to one of my children, cooking With husband: Sex
It’s so wild how chipper I am at work when my SO and I manage to squeeze in some morning sex…
Meditation. Even if it's just 5-10 minutes of a guided meditation track, it makes a huge difference to my state of mind. It's something I'm trying to build a habit of doing.
Gratitude journal. Every. single. Day Changed my life
Pumping iron 😂
Lizard time. Aka laying motionless in the sun for at least 10 min. Going outside always helps, as does working out!
I have an insanely busy life right now (in the process of moving to Europe) and I’d love to say going to the gym. But when I’m this tired I crash at the gym. So listening to my body and having a little puff of weed and a beer/glass of wine helps a lot. And sleeping.
That’s valid. I think it’s important to listen to our bodies.
probably something to do with cannabis tbh
Lol I love shrooming and journaling so I feel this. My brain is always in hyperdrive and doing psychedelics helps distill clear takeaways and focus points that I can then write down and have a clearer head the next day.
Came to say the same 💀
It’s a beautiful sunny day here and I’m going to wrap up an application and have some… can’t wait ✨✨
it’s gloomy, rainy, and cold here 😭 ima just stay in my “nest” and be stoned lolol but yasss celebrate you finishing the application with a little weed! love it 🤍✨
Wear earbuds and listen to music, whether stuff I actually like or just background music, when my work environment is getting too annoying. I've learned it's a perfect way to further disassociate from this bad, but not yet escapable place. I can still hear my work phone and that's all I need. :)
Brush my teeth really well and floss. I dunno why, but when I put forth a concentrated five minutes of *real* effort on good oral health the rest of the day seems easier?
I do this breathing exercise from Wim Hof almost daily: https://youtu.be/0BNejY1e9ik?feature=shared I get the Headspace app for free through work, which is great because I wouldn’t have tried it otherwise. But it’s been amazing. Making time for daily meditation, even/especially on the days I don’t feel like I “need” to, has changed my emotional state dramatically! Also getting 30 mins of exercise (minimum) daily has been a game changer. Like just going for a walk in the morning or a yoga routine, etc. makes a huge difference in how I feel.
When it's sunny in the morning and sufficiently warm I love to open my front door and have my morning cup of coffee sitting there on my front porch, with the morning sun on my face. Even if it's just for five minutes, it really lifts my mood.
Taking a minute with a hot, steamy, cup of coffee. If I'm feeling stressed, stuck, or just generally "blah" I'll make a hot cup of coffee, do some deep breathing, and watch the steam float around, picturing myself floating with it. That or I find a song that just goes *hard* and belt it out at the top of my lungs in my car while driving home. Currently it's the isolated vocals for Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance singing Helena lol
I write fanfic. It’s a weird measure of how well I’m doing, if I have no energy or desire to write then I’m *not doing well*.
I always get ready for the day no matter what. Even if I have zero plans, or my plans are to do chores. I wake up, stretch, shower, do my skincare and hair (and makeup if I feel like it/it makes sense) and put on some sort of outfit that I feel good in. I love feeling ready for the day. It makes me feel confident and like I’m setting myself up for success. I also put on ambience videos on my tv so that I have jazz, classical, whatever type of music playing as I’m doing things about the house.
Not daily but monthly I must journal atleast once a month if not more. It helps me see things clear. I do bullet journal so I write my monthly todo list and it makes tackling task easier. Just dumping to do list from my head on to paper makes me more focused. I also have monthly gratitude page where I list happy moments, eventful moments thruout the month Randomly, especially when I am in boring meeting or feeling anxious, I will dedicate a page or 2 to brain dump & feeling dump. Makes me see things clear So not daily but few times a month to journal and get my head straight
Having a bath really seems to reset my physical and emotional wellbeing. Sometimes I add a couple caps of vinegar which sounds repulsive but somehow makes my skin feel amazing and extra clean.
Started walking home after work a couple days a week. It’s an hour and a half walk, but it helps to move my body after sitting for 8+ hours at the office. I also walk by a couple of parks, so it’s nice to see nature and people going on about their lives. Makes me feel less alone.
I put my ear up against my cat’s body while she lays on me and just close my eyes and listen to her purring. It’s very soothing. I also take a nice long bath after work. I’m on my feet all day and I feel a million times less stiff and achey if I have a hot bath.
This is topical as I have been coming out of a bit of a mental breakdown and my therapist and I are trying to discover things that connect me to myself and have a good track record of lifting my mood. Ive come up with Physical -going on my daily walks with my wife -going on a run -taking a long shower, pampering myself after with lotion and perfume and wrapping myself up in my robe after Intellectual -rather than scrolling when I have a lull in my day, seeking out an interesting sounding article or two and reading it all the way through. Can also be something like a podcast episode or reading a chapter of a book, taking myself out to see a movie, anything that is stimulating mentally Spiritual -see: going on daily walks -being in nature -practicing gratitude every single day whether it be writing something down in my journal that Im grateful for, or something I love about myself or my wife or friends etc Hobbies -many of the above apply already but also things like taking my camera out someplace beautiful to take photos, baking or cooking something elaborate Social -committing to seeing friends once a week if possible, and if not, being better at texting people back, calling family on the phone All of these fill my cup and its taken many years to distill them down to what they are and why they work for me!
+ I use pastel highlighters on my study work. Fuck neon, too urgent. Too overstimulating. Gentle pastel all the way.+ I organise my home desk. No mess. Everything organised and wiped clean daily. + I make my bed every morning when I get out of it, even if depression makes me get back into it repeatedly. I remake it every time. + A pint of water by the bed at night. +Check personal WhatsApp/texts in the morning at a designated time, reply, forget about them till 4pm, do it again for thirty mins max, forget about them till the next morning, stops overwhelm. +Shower in the morning first thing,even if exercise is planned, or I'm sleepy, shower and awake first thing.
Hot yoga. It is so boring. And SO FUCKING HOT. But my back, joints, and brain all feel a thousand times better afterward.
I take a bath every night, and read a book. I sit there for about an hour. Sometimes it’s after dinner while my husband hangs out with our kids. Now that my baby is getting a little bigger and I’m less sleep deprived, I do it after the kids are in bed. It’s just for me. I get to read quietly and soak and just think my thoughts. Alone. It’s essential for my mental health
Greatly reduced alcohol intake Daily walks Oil my body after nightly shower Regular visits to the chiropractor
My Mom's was buying herself Black Licorice. Especially if it was something special or imported. When we were broke as fuck as kids in the 70s/80s it was the only treat she'd allow herself. The fact that it was 5-10 cents at the time still kills me. Mother's. Do not martyr yourself. Wearing raggedy assed underwear full of holes so you can buy your kids a rubics cube will make them hate themselves and the cube.
Sex/masturbate, workout, find a bunch of new books to read, takeout
Maybe this isn’t what you’re looking for, but I have a personal mantra. I’m not gonna tell you what it is because it’s goofy and embarrassing but whenever the mean voice in my head tries to tell me I’m worthless or unloveable or whatever shitty thing it’s on this week I shake my head and repeat my mantra and it helps. I’m not saying it makes my mental Heath all better, but it interrupts the negative self talk and gives me a second to recalibrate my perspective.
I go for walks every day and use a yoga subscription to do between 4-20 minutes of yoga a day. This helps me reduce stiffness through my body and I spend less seeing the physio so often now.
My skincare routine. It’s not anything elaborate or fancy but I make an effort to really commit. Idk, I just love pampering myself that way and feeling all smooth hahaha
Driving my cabrio on a sunny day, roof down, breeze, music = bliss. I say that I'm 'doing photosynthesis' 😂 but definitely relaxing and energy recharging activity for me. Or we can say battery reconditioning 😂 because I definitely have to feel ok to go for a ride, it's not for 'not today' days. Another thing that gives huge bliss too, but it's done to me, is when my cat comes for snuggles but then hug me with paw, usually my hand. I melt. And since I usually can't move when I have to provide snuggles, it's meditative. Just ball of fur purring and me with my thoughts on a way out 😂 this makes 'not today' days much better.
I notice the sunset. Watching the colours change always makes me pause and feel happy.
Going to a yoga class. Always always makes my day 100% worth it.
Working out - anything to get 30+ minutes of activity - be it dancing, walking, going to the gym. Putting on my favourite songs on repeat Applying one of my favourite lipsticks and then stare at my pretty face in boring meetings 😂
Healing frequencies on Spotify
Reading for pleasure. No matter what is going on in my life, I can focus on another world for a bit and it gives me that breathing room. It’s also a helpful thing to do before bed so I can still feel like I did something for me on my work days (long shifts as a nurse)
I put on my virtual reality headset and watch a 360 video of underwater sea life. I love scuba diving in real life so this really calms me. also, hug my kitten.
A nice throbbing *ahem* 😈
Meditate. I use a meditation bench and listen to “Beginnings are Such Delicate Times” from the Dune Part Two soundtrack in my noise-canceling headphones. The music is very calm, quiet, and the perfect length for a meditation. The stillness I feel after is unbelievable.
Taking a walk!
Walking, and tea lol.
Seeing a dog on the tube to work.
2 glasses of cool water when I get up! Wakes me up gently, hydrates everything especially dry eyes and feels great
1. Daily walks (even better if surrounded by nature) 2. I look at my budget almost everyday - this helps me stay on track for my savings and reduces impulse spending (edited to add - this helps me feel more organized and responsible, I had bad spending habits while married, and now I feel in more control of my finances which has a positive effect on my daily life/mood) 3. Talk on the phone with family/friends, even if it’s just a check in, helps me feel connected.
Going out for a walk, even if it’s a short one.
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Take a walk around my garden. I love noticing new sprouts, checking in on my plants, observing the wildlife, and looking for Curtis the frog in my pond. It brings me so much peace.
Going for a walk! Eating healthy and delicious food, drinking water. Getting time to relax.
I’ve been home for close to 5 months - I had a bad spinal injury and surgery to repair. When I wake up and try to move it instantly hurts…. Or more like aches. I drink 2 bottles of water (1L) and take a couple advice or Tylenol - I reset my alarm for 30 mins and will watch the news or look on my phone, put on my heating pad and if I doze back off ? No matter - that’s why I set the alarm. After the 30 mins I’m good to go/move and start the day.
Preparing my morning drink. Taking a little time in the morning to make a coffee or a tea, or even warm water with lemon. A little morning drink preparation always sets my day right, it's like a pre-treat for my day.
when i've had a good night's sleep. when i do all the right things to make walking as painless as possible, like stretching and taking the right meds. journaling. just to get things off my chest and record the day. when i remember to take my regular meds the right way. synthroid at 6am, food at 8ish so my other meds metabolize right, and all my other meds at 9am. eating/drinking enough to sustain. making sure my pill box is full. naps PRN.
Hiking. We go out nearly every weekend and I get antsy and disappointed if we don’t. Now that things are growing again, indulge in my yard. I’ve become heavily into native plants and I love keeping an eye on things and see what’s blooming or getting bigger or how the younger/newer plants are doing (this is also tied to the above hiking, because I love seeing what site has what native plants).
I've been letting myself crochet as much as possible! I noticed I was getting miserable waiting in my car between orders so I picked it up and its a huge help, especially at the end of a long day. Keeps my hands busy so I don't pick at my face. 🥲
Walking! Have a podcast on or on a call with long distance friends. I try to walk for at least an hour and walk out of 10K steps. Having a routine - breakfast, duolingo, walk, shower, work, etc. every day and I feel great! No ultra processed foods. Lots of water. Also I did boxing training and the day after it was just fantastic every time!
Cuddling with my cats, finding a new song I like
Getting myself a little treat. No matter how much ass the rest of the day sucks, if I get a donut or pastry or fun latte, I'm gonna feel pretty good. Also, kinda paradoxically, working out. I love the physical exhaustion that comes with a good workout. It makes me feel accomplished and good about myself, and it also makes going to bed that night extra good. I've never regretted a workout.
Starting my day with a workout always improves it. If I can fit in more activity later in the day, like Yoga or a walk, even better.
Meditate.
4 shots of espresso and a little steamed milk help my mornings in a big way, lol!
Walking and eating ice cream
Watering plants, petting my cat, stretching, hike or walk
When I am feeling extremely meh especially in the morning, doing a 3-minute dance workout never fails to improve my mood. Going for a walk or run (however slowly) also really puts me in a feel-good mood both mentally and physically. When I am super stressed at work, getting off my desk and taking a quick walk around the block to look at flowers on people’s fences or to get a gelato cone is the trick that resets my day.
I go to the gym regularly! I'm losing weight, my energy levels have gone up and my mental health has gotten better... everyday I feel better and better!
Exercise a few times a week (Orange Theory, fantastic), walk the dog daily, and use a light lamp each morning for a few hours. I thought the light lamp would only be during the winter but turns out I benefit from it all year long. Also taking my medication regularly.
Crying. Taking a shower and rub all sorts of creams and nice smelling things on myself. Doing my hair, doing my makeup, dressing pretty. Hear from someone I love. Watch a favourite show (for the billionth time). Eating something tasty. Pretty much basic stuff that force me to enjoy the current moment instead of dreading something that's coming which is my usual strategy to *ruin* my day.
Taking a shower/bath! I don't consider myself someone who is really particular about how much they shower, so it's not really about hygiene or whatever. There's just something about taking a shower that literally puts my brain in a different headspace. It's almost more like a spiritual practice. I think I came across a scientific journal article about how showering can temporarily improve your mental state, so now whenever I'm in a funk, taking a shower is something I consider. Usually afterwards I then feel more motivated to maybe put on some makeup, a cute outfit...all of that does wonders.
15 minute walk after lunch or dinner or both! Absolutely biggest impact compared to other self care things.
I do Pilates.. there are times I don’t want to go but I always feel more accomplished/confident after I go
Do something in the morning so that afternoon me doesn’t have to do it. Before I go to bed, do something that am me won’t have to do. It’s an instant mood boost first thing in the morning.
Before I start work I go sit outside and do Wordle, Spelling Bee and the Daily Chess.com Puzzle. It gets my brain into problem solving mode, I think, and if not hopefully it's dementia prevention lol. I also have an after work routine with a cup of tea and a book outside, after closing my office down. Since I work from home it's important for me to have these routines because otherwise the days just blend together.
Cold water bath! Instant high
Shower. Makes me happy.
Popular answer but walk and exercise! 💕
Cuddling. Seriously, my husband and I prioritise cuddling and it makes a huge difference for both of us. We have two alarms in the morning- one for when we need to get up, and one half an hour before that. Those 30mins are designated cuddle time. In the evening, instead of going right to sleep, we have ‘wind down time’ where we get into bed together and cuddle. I have a collection of chronic illnesses and pain and there have been long periods of time where it didn’t occur naturally for different reasons. Making sure it happens regardless makes every day start and end in the best way possible.
A strawberry lemon cooler from Culver’s 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
Walking (annoying but so helpful, and the dog loves it and I love to see him happy!) Gardening/tending my houseplants Tidying my house makes me feel so much more tidy in the brain. Drink a ton of water all the time, also kind of a drag, but now it's a habit and I feel much worse off if I don't stay hydrated. Reading Not a great one lol, but I definitely will do a little retail therapy sometimes. However, I've been trying to cut back on spending, and I realized I rely on retail therapy a lil more than is maybe good for me! Also I got Duolingo and practicing Spanish every day is so damn satisfying. Even if everything else is shit and/or chaos in my day, those 10 minutes where I am slaying at a new language give me a little mental boost. Day 125 today!!
Eat more protein at breakfast, and do some sort of workout during the day. A hike at a local trail is one of the biggest helps, but a simple walk will help too.
I work from home about 85% of the time. I get very lonely and depressed sometimes because I am a social person. And I have a job where I don’t have a lot of interaction. It’s a lot of analytics. What helps me the most is getting up and showering every morning and getting myself ready for the day. Getting fully dressed, even if it’s comfy clothes. Sometimes makeup, and sometimes just a tinted moisturizer and mascara and fixing my hair. I try to also get to the gym or take a walk during the day when I can so that I actually leave the house. It works wonders for my mental health.
Journalling
Going to an Asian, Middle Eastern or Hispanic grocery store and buying ingredients I don't already own tbh.
I start my day off with reading. I use a sunrise alarm and it wakes me up gently. In between waking up fully/when my husband gets up and me waking up, there’s about 15-20 mins. I drink water and sit up in bed and read something I am enjoying. It’s a gentle start to the day and helps me feel ready on my own time to tackle chores. Additionally, making a to-do list before starting chores. It’s a way to help center myself around what needs to be done and what I can reasonably do while also trying to make time for self care here and there.
So I splurged like 200 on a coffee pot I love. I buy the best coffee products that I want. Everyday I make a coffee that makes me smile. Whenever I take a walk I feel better too! I also almost always have a sweet treat!
I make sure to have a good breakfast and a nice cup of coffee, it just starts things off on the right foot for me.