How do you counteract 'feeling blue'

ColeTrain

With winter setting in and the dark days upon us, it's important to keep the spirits up.

We all have tough days, it could be a ****ty day at work, getting snowed under with the weekly grind or just feeling down and out for no apparent reason.

I find music played at a very high volume does wonders when I'm in the midst of a **** day - as does a blast of fresh air. A bit of exercise is a given too for the natural high it releases.

So, how do you lift your spirits?

***First person to mention 'have a ****' wins the bogey prize***

major bill

Feeling pretty down lately but find certain Music to be a spirit lifter, in work I try to avoid the negative people!!

fleet_admiral

ColeTrain wrote: »

With winter setting in and the dark days upon us, it's important to keep the spirits up.

We all have tough days, it could be a ****ty day at work, getting snowed under with the weekly grind or just feeling down and out for no apparent reason.

I find music played at a very high volume does wonders when I'm in the midst of a **** day - as does a blast of fresh air. A bit of exercise is a given too for the natural high it releases.

So, how do you lift your spirits?

***First person to mention 'have a ****' wins the bogey prize***

You were thinking blue balls whilst writing out the thread werent you?

It depends on the intensity of how I'm feeling. Sometimes there is nothing for it but for me to stay wrapped up in bed with my beloved books and a supply of chocolate.
Other times I need to talk to someone or just be in another person's company.

I think we put an awful lot of pressure on ourselves to fight the blues. When going for a walk feels like the last thing we want to do then we need to listen to ourselves. Often times there is nothing for it but to ride it out. I should add that I'm not referring in any way to clinical depression.

Baggy Trousers

Cardio Exercise - Running, swimming, cycling (ideally during the day but gym in evenings). Also indoor or outdoor soccer.

60% of the time, it works every time.

ColeTrain

fleet_admiral wrote: »

You were thinking blue balls whilst writing out the thread werent you?

I wouldn't know about that type of thing, maybe you can describe the feeling?!

Deleted User wrote: »

It depends on the intensity of how I'm feeling. Sometimes there is nothing for it but for me to stay wrapped up in bed with my beloved books and a supply of chocolate.
Other times I need to talk to someone or just be in another person's company.

I think we put an awful lot of pressure on ourselves to fight the blues. When going for a walk feels like the last thing we want to do then we need to listen to ourselves. Often times there is nothing for it but to ride it out. I should add that I'm not referring in any way to clinical depression.

That's a fair point, of course sometimes there is no quick fix - depending on circumstance.

SEPT 23 1989

Wine and plenty of it

Azalea

Definitely exercise - it's not always easy to get out there if the weather's really bad (gym or exercise classes are good in those cases) and sometimes you really would rather not, but you feel great after it.
Thinking about Christmas (from after Halloween afterwards!) is great for cheering me up too - but I realise it's not for everyone.

OneOfThem

I like to watch wild animals go about their business. I live in Dublin, so I'm a little limited. We're talking street pigeons, feral cats, stray Jack Russels and Daddy Long Legs. I like to imagine I can hear their thoughts. Sometimes they'll throw you a look. And their look says "aww, did your girlfriend tell you she doesn't love you? One of my babies got eaten by a magpie earlier, her name was Sarah, I kinda liked her... magpie ate her. Now if you'd mind getting the fvck out of my way, you big fvcking girls blouse, I've to try to find enough food tonight so that I have enough calories stored up so that I can burn enough energy so I don't freeze to death tonight, and can manage to survive long enough to feed my remaining two children tomorrow. There's a good lad."

cantdecide

I understand that this sounds extremely simplistic but when the claustrophobia sets in, I just remind myself that however long it lasts, it is temporary. It's a personal thing but knowing it stops me slipping.

Ruu

Run, meditate but not at the same time that would be a disaster.

siblers

Azalea wrote: »

Definitely exercise - it's not always easy to get out there if the weather's really bad (gym or exercise classes are good in those cases) and sometimes you really would rather not, but you feel great after it.
Thinking about Christmas (from after Halloween afterwards!) is great for cheering me up too - but I realise it's not for everyone.

I find the gym is a great stress reliever, distracts you (even if temporarily) from the stuff keeping you down. Agree with you on Christmas too!

Run and meditate.

Does wonders.

biko

Stop being blue and be awesome instead.

Also I find avoiding After Hours to be a good idea...

Aongus Von Bismarck

Ruu wrote: »

Run, meditate but not at the same time that would be a disaster.

10 minutes of mindful meditation in the morning, followed by a good high cardio run and a decent breakfast. It's a wonderful start to the day. Things tend to fall into place after that.

Stheno

I don't really tbh, I just get into a funk.

I've a job where every few days I get independant reviews in terms of what I do, and if I don't hear from consulting customers, I worry.

I seem to spend my life worrying.



But then I set myself high standards, so maybe it's me.

I chose to screw up recently on something and don't really care about it, but I'm dreading tomorrow as it's weekly evaluation time.

If I've a row with my OH as we did this past weekend, I always consider it's the end, he's capitulated first so we are back talking and doing nice stuff for each other.

I'd love to have more faith in me.

NintendoGirl

Reading a book, getting lost in a different world and forgetting about my own for a while , works!

chrissb8

Exercise. Smoking weed. Both help release what I feel anyway is a knot in my head. It's almost like I can't go 10 mins without worrying about something or getting negative about something. When I get to that stage I just put on my runners and run a few miles out. Then weed just helps me relax at the end of a long day and I just can't turn off from it.

NachoBusiness

Whenever I feel a bit low, I always think about that woman who got her face ripped off by chimpanzee.

Got her face totally ripped off by a chimpanzee and whenever I'm feeling a bit low, I think I could have been that woman.

ColeTrain

NachoBusiness wrote: »

Whenever I feel a bit low, I always think about that woman who got her face ripped off by chimpanzee.

Got her face totally ripped off by a chimpanzee and whenever I'm feeling a bit low, I think I could have been that woman.

**** it, i'm going for pints, sure I could be like that woman with the chimpanzee, she wouldn't be fit for pints on a Tuesday with the face she has because of the chimpanzee...

jamesbere

Personally I'd say doing exercise is the best way to combat the seasonal depression. A nice brisk run followed by a hot shower always perks me up.

The Backwards Man

Tennent's!

Aongus Von Bismarck

Some great advice here. There seems to be a common thread running through the genuinely useful posts. Exercise, mediation, reading, good food, music.

The Backwards Man

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Some great advice here. There seems to be a common thread running through the genuinely useful posts. Exercise, mediation, reading, good food, music.

And sweet Scottish nectar too Aongus, don't forget that.

NintendoGirl

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Some great advice here. There seems to be a common thread running through the genuinely useful posts. Exercise, mediation, reading, good food, music.

Your class, sophistication, good taste, must be rubbing off on us AVB :P

diddley

Start 'atin

NachoBusiness

Serious answer: focusing on what I have, no matter how small, I feel helps.

Even if your glass is only 1/100th full, best to focus on having that 1/100th rather than the 99/100ths that you don't, currently, have. Especially so if illness is partially, or completely, why you are find yourself in the state that you do. If grief is part of it I think remembering what that person would want for you helps. Maybe they did a lot for you and so to carry on trying to achieve goals that they were helping you with can make you feel like they are still with you in some sense.

Otherwise though, on just a day to day thing. Try and stay away for heavy news. I think that's why I like the Daily Mail as so many of the news stories are ridiculous but at the same time you get to keep up to date with what's going on on the planet. Watching your favourite comedy shows, chat shows, movies etc, are all good. I also like watching films where people overcome an adversity of one form or another. Mask, Papillon, The Pursuit of Happiness etc. I feel occupying yourself with enjoyable forms of entertainment, whatever that may be for you, is very important.

Robsweezie

Acknowledging that you're blue, and repeatedly chanting abi dee abi dyy, is very important.

But in all seriousness, keeping active , not sitting and wallowing, can help.

myshirt

Knock out a few knuckle soldiers in the privacy of my neighbours back yard while staring through the window as i dont have a dvd player

Charlie19

I just have a read through the news headlines from around the world, my problems always seem so trivial then.

TheLastMohican

Stop thinking negative thoughts and stop being so sociopathic.

If you can't do that pour a very stiff drink or roll a fat one.

kimokanto

"You got to
accentuate the positive
eliminate the negative
&
don't go with Mr Inbetween"

TheLastMohican

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_JxgAU84-k

job seeker

biko wrote: »

Stop being blue and be awesome instead.

Or be green or red perhaps?

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Coffee. As much of it as I can get into me without being glued to the jacks all day. Also chocolate. I am the definition of over stressed, over worked and unhealthy living at the moment.

Corvo

A nice walk with music playing on my headphones.

A quiet pint and having a chat, sometimes with a stranger at the bar is sometimes nice. We get a lot of visitors to our town from all over (especially Dublin) and they sometimes have some brilliant stories.

Some high intensity weight lifting building up a sweat, a hot shower in the gym and then out into the fresh air to meet someone for breakfast. Wonderful.

Sunday mornings, no tv or music or anything. Irish Times, coffee and just silence.

MilesMorales1

Cup of tea and an iced bun or two from a nice bakery sorts me out.

fizzypish

A mountain of anti-depressants/happy pills.

jamesbere

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

Coffee. As much of it as I can get into me without being glued to the jacks all day. Also chocolate. I am the definition of over stressed, over worked and unhealthy living at the moment.

Coffee is one of the worst things you can put into your body, I would highly suggest you go off it.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

jamesbere wrote: »

Coffee is one of the worst things you can put into your body, I would highly suggest you go off it.

Have a brutal project in work on the go at the moment. I am submitting it on Tuesday so I'll ease back then. The weekend is going to be a haze of caffeine and twix's. Yay.

RobertKK

jamesbere wrote: »

Coffee is one of the worst things you can put into your body, I would highly suggest you go off it.

It depends if you metabolise caffeine fast or slow.
If slow then not good, if fast then there are studies which show it is good for your health.

If I am feeling blue, then listen to music I like, say a prayer, watch programs I enjoy, avoid rows on the internet...

BBDBB

I force myself to smile, however fake, the act of smiling releases endorphins, neuro tramsmitters, dopamine & serotonin into your body, which have the impact of lowering your heart rate and blood pressure and making you feel good

It has genuinely helped me to face some hard situations which I was dreading

jamesbere

RobertKK wrote: »

It depends if you metabolise caffeine fast or slow.
If slow then not good, if fast then there are studies which show it is good for your health.

If I am feeling blue, then listen to music I like, say a prayer, watch programs I enjoy, avoid rows on the internet...

True that if you metabolise caffeine fast it not as bad for you, but it does depend how many cups your having a day. If it's 5 or 6 you'll be fine but if your talking ten or more then your probably looking at a addictive problem.

Anyway I won't start a row haha 😂

Wibbs

A) remind myself that it's temporary. Hell life is temporary, so better not to whinge through it.
get out in the air for a while. Read a book, listen to music,
C) Thank my lucky stars I was born in the first world. I could be in the half of the world's population that go to bed hungry tonight.
D) Avoid mopey types. I'm lucky in that negative vibes from others don't affect me that much, but I still try to avoid them.
D1) Try not to be a mopey type myself. Other folks shouldn't have to listen to me have a self centred whinge, or as little as is possible.
E) Do something nice for somebody else.

RobertKK

jamesbere wrote: »

True that if you metabolise caffeine fast it not as bad for you, but it does depend how many cups your having a day. If it's 5 or 6 you'll be fine but if your talking ten or more then your probably looking at a addictive problem.

Anyway I won't start a row haha 😂

I agree with that.

Everything in moderation.

jamesbere

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

Have a brutal project in work on the go at the moment. I am submitting it on Tuesday so I'll ease back then. The weekend is going to be a haze of caffeine and twix's. Yay.

Twixs are nice. Wouldn't mind one myself but I'm trying to cut out chocolate myself. It's bloody hard. I taught giving up drink was tough, chocolate is a disaster to give up.

donegaLroad

I do the odd session of self-hypnosis from Youtube videos, they are great for 'mindfulness'.

The first time I did a session I felt so good after it that the missus thought I had been to the pub for a few drinks on the way home from work.

Turtyturd

Some days there is no counteracting it, thankfully they are fairly rare but others I find just being alone helps, just taking an hour to swim, walk, read, write, paint or draw. My OH has a hard time getting her head around this, and at times takes it personally.

Menas

Wibbs wrote: »

A) remind myself that it's temporary. Hell life is temporary, so better not to whinge through it.

This is the one for me. I get down and I know that it is perfectly ok to have a 'down day'. Hell, I languish in my sadness on those days.
But I do try to push myself not to allow myself to have two 'down' days in a row.

I am so lucky that I don't suffer from depression and can snap myself out of it that easily...many are not so lucky.

MagicIRL

I find that any combination of the following tends to help me overcome any bouts of depression or anxiety that I encounter (of which there are many, but c'est la vie!)

1) Remove yourself immediately from the situation.

Lets say you're at work. Get up from your desk and go outside for 5mins. Just get away from whatever you're doing and get a change of scenery on the go.

2) Exercise

I can't do the whole gym routine- lifting weights or running on a treadmill doesn't appeal to me so I train jiujitsu instead. It gets my mind off whatever it is that has me down or anxious and occupies it 100% with what I'm doing in the present. All those endorphins flowing around also seem to help, plus it also works in tandem with tip #1 and gets you away from your situation.

3) Eating better

Don't give up chocolate, because chocolate is incredible. A clubmilk works wonders for my mood. I find that I feel better physically, and mentally, when I've got three good meals inside me. You think clearer, or at least I feel like I do, and that's 99% of the battle. Plenty of cold water is my go-to, and I tend to avoid stimulants in large amounts (caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar etc)

4) Talking

Might seem very straight forward but just blurting out everything that's got your head swirling around will help you get over it. You'll be surprised just how many people have gone through the exact same irrational thoughts et al. There's, what, 7 billion people on the planet? You're never alone, no matter how crazy you may think you're being. You're perfectly normal.