this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2024
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Feeling a bit down tonight. How do you guys like to lighten up?

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[–] [email protected] 47 points 9 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago (1 children)

"If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood go for another walk." - Hippocrates

[–] [email protected] 15 points 9 months ago

"If you're still in a bad mood, it's because we haven't invented proper shoes yet and your feet are sore" - Socrates

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 9 months ago

I usually refer to this helpful diagram

[–] [email protected] 26 points 9 months ago (4 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

A short hike is such a lovely game!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

My grandpa grew up in the corner gas town lol

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago

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 :)

[–] [email protected] 14 points 9 months ago (3 children)

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)

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago

Honestly speakingβ€”make yourself cry.

Let whatever is causing your negative emotions to overwhelm and release. It’s incredibly cathartic and you’ll feel much better if you just give in and let it happen. The reason doesn’t have to be anything super important, or could be something super important; regardless crying should be embraced as an act of self care.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago

I go for a walk and to bed early.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (8 children)

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? :'(

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

When I feel like that, it tends to be projection. I’m making myself sad and making my own life more difficult, not anyone else’s. I don’t know if that helps helps, but you probably don’t need much guilt about it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Thank you. That actually does help. :)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Encrypting muffins is important work. I don't know how to do it, so that makes you special.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

Pet my cats and listen to cheerful song

[–] nik9000 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I put googly eyes on things.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

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.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago

I walk the high-line in NYC or sit by the water at Gantry Plaza State Park.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I have a picture of a cartoon cheerleader on my desk. She’s always cheering me on. It feels good to be encouraged and supported. I’ve been wanting to get a cheerleader Barbie for some time now but I haven’t 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.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Pizza, followed by dessert.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Maybe I'll order myself a pizza tomorrow to celebrate the weekend :)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Treat yo self!

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago

Weed and video games, works every time.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

I sleep, a lot. Not the best answer but that's what I do. I just sleep.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Meditate on the breath.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

I vape a load of weed put my headphones on and have a Trance Party

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Good ending: Talk to friends

Bad ending: Everclear

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

I watch cute/funny cat videos

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

I like to watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Always puts me in a better mood, although it is a bit sad too.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Sad songs, or a walk outdoors at sunrise.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Getting some sleep (sober). I’ve learned that the world seems harsher when I’m tired. After a night or two of good sleep, things feel less of an issue.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

I sit still and try to feel the sadness as directly as possible, without any distractions at all.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Rewatching Parks & Rec episodes always cheers me up.

[–] Sparrow_1029 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

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

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

Cutting my hair (because I do it myself) or getting a haircut never misses.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

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.

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