How do you get out of feeling low?

66Mustang

Does anyone ever feel really really down, or sorry for yourself, or that there is more bad to life than good so you wonder what the point is of being around?

I am feeling this way for various reasons that I don’t want to share in detail online but in general I am unhappy with my personal situation but also with society and am feeling a bit like I don’t want to be part of it.

I’m would be interested to hear how people get out of feeling like this.

PS a message for the admins: I know these kinds of posts trigger safeguarding concerns but I am not planning on doing anything to myself so don't worry about that. Thanks!

alexis39

Cuddle my furbabies 
try sort out a draw or cupboard 
I’m still clinging to getting my wheelchair car soon so I’ve been focusing on that
but day to day try to make myself laugh with my dogs
also I know a lot of people hate tiktok but it helped me a lot watching funny videos and music 

janer1967

Hi @66Mustang I'm sorry you are feeling low and glad you have reached out 

I think most of us feel this way from time to time I do things to treat myself like online shopping , nice indulgent bath and body creams and facial 

Also talk to friends 

Look at photos to remind me of memories this sometimes has opposite affect though as triggers things I used to do b4 my disability 

We play board games or used to buy a lego set and build it 

Hope you find something that is effective for you 

Libby_Alumni

Hey @66Mustang, 

Thanks for your comment and for being so open and vulnerable with us all. I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling quite down recently. I think it's important to remember that our mental health/wellbeing will fluctuate a lot throughout life (which is completely normal). I've definitely had some down days and ones that have lasted for months, but I think what helped me during that time was speaking to friends/family, being grateful for what I do have in my life, and also not dismissing my emotions/feelings, but processing them and letting them out (whether that be crying a lot or feeling angry about something).

It's important to not bottle things up and speak to people around you, if you have the support . Do you currently feel as though you are supported with your mental health? I also think Mind's online community could be helpful for you too, as it's an online community dedicated to mental health, where others share their experiences (good and bad) too

Do you have any hobbies/activities that make you feel really good/happy about life/yourself? For me, if I'm feeling in a 'funk' I will try and do things that bring my joy. Such as baking, meditating, getting outside etc  

Just to let you know that we are all here for you and you can speak to us about anything.

Libby

66Mustang

@alexis39

Thanks very much for sharing, and I hope you get your wheelchair car soon and enjoy the independence it brings.

@janer1967

Many thanks for all the suggestions. I like the online shopping one, any excuse to buy a treat

@libby_scope

I think I am getting enough support from family and professionals combined but I might check out that site, thank you.

I think being grateful for what you do have is a really good one and something I tell others to do but sometimes forget to do myself. I guess I should take your advice from yesterday as well about not worrying about things I can’t control - like society!

I don’t know what triggered this feeling but I think it’s been building up over several weeks or maybe even months. I haven’t had any bad news or events or anything recently.

I did just weigh myself between making the thread and writing this reply and noticed I have lost a pound which cheered me up a little bit lol

66Mustang

If anyone has any other suggestions I’d be glad to hear them, I didn’t particularly make this thread to be about me - just wanted to hear some suggestions as to how you get out of mood dips.

Thanks

66Mustang

PS sorry if I’ve been a bit negative on the forum recently - I tend to get a bit negative or sarcastic when I’m down

alexis39

@66Mustang me to been over two years because of covid and everything taking longer but fingers paws crossed 

that’s great on weight loss 💜

Ivor121

Hi @66Mustang I'm suffering from depression, had it on and off since my mother died in 2011, worse now  as living alone has a big part in it and in pain and have Psoriasis, but like you I had thoughts of ending it all quite a bit,  being a part of a group helps a lot, I'm in a group on Facebook about Psoriasis for stuffers, when seeing how bad it can be with other people and seeing how well they cope, it helps when you can comfort and share your feelings, and everyone in the same situation, I also play a few games that have co-ops or guilds, even that keeps my mind off of things, in game chats can be fun, I'm lucky I still have one brother left who ring's me every night, hope this helps a bit only basically the sadness is still there but trying to fill the day doing something to keep one's mind off of thinks is the key  for me.

66Mustang

Thanks for the comments and tips everyone, it really means a lot and is much appreciated.

leeCal

I’m lucky in that I don’t generally suffer from depression but some days I might feel a bit cheesed off, not the same as depression by any means. Oddly though I was once diagnosed as being depressed and given anti depressants, I had very high hopes for the medication thinking that I would suddenly feel very happy but actually nothing much happened except the experience of an induced panic attack! Needless to say I came off the medication immediately! 

If i feel a bit down i usually remind myself of my skills and successes in the past. This is why I think it’s very important to find something that you’re good at, it buoys you up no end and gives you a strong feeling of self worth, invaluable. Whilst feeling of value it’s hard to feel depressed. I recommend it.

CoffeeFirst

@66Mustang; I can relate to your post. When I feel low I have a few different strategies to help myself feel a little better and more positive. They range from spending a few hours/days feeling sorry for myself and just allowing the down time to process how I feel. Exercise helps, ie. usually in the form of dog walking, a bit of retail therapy, meeting up with a friend is always nice too (as I do enjoy a chat or two, lol). You are not alone.

Sandy_123

Playing  cheerful music and watching comedy can sometimes help. Walking as well. 

AndrewHall

Every one feels down now and then. I found that after an hour walk in the park with my favourite music, I am refreshed and good to go.

Libby_Alumni

Thank you to all our members for sharing your experiences with each other I'm sure it's been useful to hear how others cope, when their mental health fluctuates. 

@Ivor121, I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering from depression - it must be challenging and unpredictable at times. Do you feel as though you currently have enough support? Have you managed to speak to your GP about how you're feeling? If not, they might be able to offer some advice and further support for you it must be tough living alone, but it sounds as though you are connecting with others which is really important, so I'm glad to hear that you're reaching out on social groups etc

Here are a few resources that might be helpful for you moving forward with your mental health:

• Self-care | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems
• Depression (supportline.org.uk)
  

If you have any further questions or concerns, please just let us know  

Take care now and we will speak to you soon.

Libby

66Mustang

Thank you very much everyone for sharing, sorry I didn’t reply sooner but had a lot going on yesterday

@teddybear12 “Wanting a bit of excitement” is a good way of putting it as all the days seem the same at the moment. But then, when any chance for a bit of excitement appears, I shy away, so I guess I make a bit of a rod for my own back there!

@leecal that’s a good thought exercise to try, I will give that a go

Autumn_Feeling

I’ve gotten into the habit of watching travel vlogs on YouTube whenever I’m stressed or depressed. It’s fun watching someone visit obscure places around the world. It can really humble you.

Also… I follow a few animal rescue channels on YouTube. They’re funny and calming.

Ross_Alumni

Hi @66Mustang

I hope the responses on this thread were helpful for you, it certainly seems that way. 

how are you getting on?

happyfella

i like to go for a drive in the countryside. it really does help

L_Volunteer

@happyfella - Thanks for sharing your tip with us. I am glad it helps you. I agree, drives can be relaxing. Do you get to have a drive in the countryside often? 

@66Mustang - I am really sorry to hear you are struggling. Please remember we are always here for you if you need anything, even if that's just a listening ear. Though, I also respect if you don't want to talk about how you are feeling. I just hope you feel better soon 

leeCal

I like to go for a drive in the countryside too but often I get chased around the lanes by people in a hurry to get somewhere. I speed up to accommodate them because I I think they are trying to get to work or get work done in some way but it certainly takes the pleasure out of a drive for me. 

When im feeling a bit cheesed off I also sometimes think of others who are less well off than me, like Boris johnson for example. Seriously though we still have a lot to be grateful for living in this country.