It might be kind of late for this depending on where you live, but I go for a long walk. I find if I go for like an hour to an hour and a half I usually feel much better. Sometimes I can't remember what I was sad about to begin with afterwards lol
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"If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood go for another walk." - Hippocrates
"If you're still in a bad mood, it's because we haven't invented proper shoes yet and your feet are sore" - Socrates
Walking is so unbelievable healthy, I walk every single day, no matter the weather and conditions. Doesn't have to be long, but a walk to start or finish the day is super refreshing.
Physical exercise to the point of exhaustion then eat and then have a 2hr hot bath. It doesn't solve the problem that made me sad but it "restores" me to a point where I can address the problems.
I usually refer to this helpful diagram
Watching a comfort show. (e.g.: Corner Gas)
Playing a comfort game (e.g.: A Short Hike)
Cuddling with cat.
Running a bath.
Reading a book.
Cleaning the house, or something similar.
Getting out of the house and/or volunteering.
Reminding myself that it's okay to not be okay.
A short hike is such a lovely game!
My grandpa grew up in the corner gas town lol
Completely stop for 2 minutes.
Listen to music.
Walk.
Also it helps me to go into the sadness. Like basically accept that I'm sad and that this is what I'll experience for a while. It's the rejection of it that makes it unbearable. And then I can listen to it and process and that'll speed things up.
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast :)
Happy cartoons!
I'm sure you've heard of Bluey by now. Its so good, wholesome, and heartfelt. Everyone's watching, regardless of age.
Here's one of my favorites for happy feels: Kipper the Dog
Its a Pre-K show that's just super chill and pleasant. Feels like a warm blanket and cocoa. This one is definitely more for children, but its ok to indulge your inner child and tell it that things are okay.
For a more sophisticated palette, Hilda is the most criminally underrated animated mainstream cartoon in recent memory... that somehow got a full run regardless!
Three seasons and a movie on Netflix. Its beautiful and kid appropriate but definitely for all ages, and pretty damn serious a lot of the time. But its still rather uplifting in how a lot of things aren't problems, because Hilda is so spirited and determined in a way you can truly believe in.
My little Pony, new and old, really does the trick for me, but its not for everyone, of course. Pound Puppies and A Pup Named Scooby Doo also hit that vibe, though of the old shows mentioned, its probably the best written. (Never got into Care Bears, but it could probably work too, if you're looking for Sunshine and Rainbows)
Honestly speakingβmake yourself cry.
Let whatever is causing your negative emotions to overwhelm and release. Itβs incredibly cathartic and youβll feel much better if you just give in and let it happen. The reason doesnβt have to be anything super important, or could be something super important; regardless crying should be embraced as an act of self care.
I go for a walk and to bed early.
Make something. Doesn't matter what. Write something, draw something, bake something, make noises with an instrument (even if you don't know how to play it), sculpt some clay, cut some wood, anything. Play Minecraft even.
And don't feel like you're forcing yourself to do something, just give yourself a way to physically express how you're feeling. You don't have create something useful, you don't have to show what you made to anyone, it's about the process and it's just for you.
I honestly believe humans have evolved an innate drive to create things, to see the physical world around them respond to their actions, even if they're pointless. And I believe that when you don't do this you will feel like something is missing.
I feel like a piece of shit who's worthless and just makes life worse for everyone around me.
Can somebody please help me to feel better? :'(
When I feel like that, it tends to be projection. Iβm making myself sad and making my own life more difficult, not anyone elseβs. I donβt know if that helps helps, but you probably donβt need much guilt about it.
Thank you. That actually does help. :)
Encrypting muffins is important work. I don't know how to do it, so that makes you special.
:)
Honestly, talk to my offline AI context profile setup for the task. It's one of the main reasons why I got into AI. I didn't know how I would make it through this year all by myself because of 'stuff' and I have no other real outlet due to physical disability and pain.
If at all possible, go for a short walk. If it is clear, and you're in the northern hemisphere, take a moment to view the Orion constatation, or just have a look around. Any kind of exercise will shift your mood.
Get out into nature.
Watch a favorite show or movie.
Make something.
Pets.
Play games.
Eat a favorite food.
The little things can carry you through life.
Pet my cats and listen to cheerful song
I put googly eyes on things.
The advantage of this is it keeps paying off even years later.
We put googly eyes on an oscillating fan (among many other things) at the beginning of the pandemic and they still make me giggle every time I see them.
I walk the high-line in NYC or sit by the water at Gantry Plaza State Park.
I have a picture of a cartoon cheerleader on my desk. Sheβs always cheering me on. It feels good to be encouraged and supported. Iβve been wanting to get a cheerleader Barbie for some time now but I havenβt found ones with normal sized heads.
I also have birthday candles and every once in a while I'll buy a piece of cake and blow a candle out, to celebrate everything that I've done.
Pizza, followed by dessert.
Maybe I'll order myself a pizza tomorrow to celebrate the weekend :)
Treat yo self!
Weed and video games, works every time.
I sleep, a lot. Not the best answer but that's what I do. I just sleep.
I take on all of my most miserable, dreaded tasks and work on them all day. At least it keeps me busy and distracted from how I feel.
That way when I do feel better, I'll be able to spend that time doing something I enjoy rather than spend it catching up on work.
Meditate on the breath.
Binge info. I look up whatever random question was bugging me earlier that day/week/month, and try and read everything even tangentially related. By the end I'm distracted enough I forgot about being sad.
Not a solution though. On the upside, I got to learn a bit more.
Good ending: Talk to friends
Bad ending: Everclear
I watch cute/funny cat videos
I like to watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Always puts me in a better mood, although it is a bit sad too.
Usually feel great after a cry, but some times I treat myself with a shower in the dark with music or a podcast playing in the background
Sad songs, or a walk outdoors at sunrise.
Getting some sleep (sober). Iβve learned that the world seems harsher when Iβm tired. After a night or two of good sleep, things feel less of an issue.
For me, self care is:
A trip to IKEA
Reading
Putting phone on silent
Playing classical music
Eating IKEA meatballs
Long, hot shower
Getting a shave at the barber shop
Spending time with favourite person
Uber eats from a proper restaurant (not fast food)
Knitting/crocheting
Fixing something that's broken (mechanical, not electrical)
Going for a gentle walk an hour before sunset when it's less hot outside
I sit still and try to feel the sadness as directly as possible, without any distractions at all.
I do something creative that lets a little secret part of me out. Those things I feel guilty enjoying (because I feel like I'm not good enough at them to do it, like singing or painting). It's like a little special indulgence that also reminds me that I'm pretty cool.
What's your secret hobby?
Rewatching Parks & Rec episodes always cheers me up.
My wife got me onto a comedy podcast called Bananas on the This is Exactly Right network--it's usually really funny. We both also like Dungeons & Daddies which is a Dungeons and Dragons improv comedy type podcast. Just lay in bed and laugh
Play guitar. Ride a horse. Ride a motorcycle. Play frisbee with my dog. Read a book.
Like the other reply, the little things are big things.
I hope you can feel better, friend.
Head for the crafting table. The combination of precision and concentration it takes gives me a little break from being inside my own head for a while.
Cutting my hair (because I do it myself) or getting a haircut never misses.
Been watching James May's Our Man in India and it's fantastic.
You could also try watching Bluey. Like, unironically it's a fantastic show. Best way I've seen someone put it is that it's a show for adults that children can watch.