What do you like to do when you are anxious ,depressed ,etc?

For me whenever I am feeling anxious,depressed or just blah I really love to knit,chrochet,or do some drawings.I use a lot of puns it helps me to relax some.Maybe if you had a hobby you could concentrate on that when you are feeling anxious or depressed.I am not saying it will make the symptoms disappear but it may help you for a little while.I also do paid surveys it is nice getting a a little check in the mail.However I do find if the anxieties are really bad nothing seems to help especially if it develops into a full blown panic attack.Nothing seems to work for those.

I like to put on my scented wax melter. Any good scents help to relax me and help me feel grounded. I also like to draw, color, read, journal, and play videogames. Having a cup of tea, decaf coffee, or cocoa and reading is so relaxing! It's hard to get started on any of these things when I'm anxious or depressed but once I push myself to just get started for couple minutes I end up getting into it and enjoying myself.

NOw see for me I cannot stand anything scented because it bothers my allergies.My next door neighor use to burn insense it would come through the vents it was so strong my throat would burn ,but now they have stopped this burning of candles to ,good the smell is awful.
I love to sing too ,I have been told that I have a nice singing voice

Thank you for making this thread, xmascarol! Unfortunately when I'm feeling bad I just can't think of anything else. Distractions don't seem to work for me. I'm glad other people are able to get through this, though. You're all very strong people! Sending many hugs to everyone

Well if you ever need someone to talk to I will be here for you

I like going out to eat. I know using food to cope isn’t necessarily a good coping skill, but I think I have it under control, since I don’t do it all the time and I usually watch what I eat when I don’t go out to eat.

Once when I was at Fry's with my husband I was very upset and depressed. I just couldn't get myself feeling any better. They have a magazine section so I picked up one to take home, called Victoria. When we got home I just sat on the couch telling myself, "Just look at the pictures. Just look at the pictures." I didn't try to read any of the text because I would have been unable to concentrate, but there were some beautiful illustrations of flowers and old English buildings, and in a way that distracted me and helped to calm down a little bit.

I drown it all out with music or tv.. or cuddle my cat

I find coloring helps with anxiety. When I am too anxious, I can't focus enough to read but I can color.

It also really helps me to be around other people. It's worst when I am all alone.

Sometimes I will watch the Music Choice channels,they have like the 90's,80's,70's and the real oldies dont care for the music they have out today however I do like Madonna,Stevie Nicks and of course the Carpenters they are from the past but very good.

I have to agree coloring is very relaxing and I love to draw too,

watch tv.

I find that if i'm watching a good tv show, with a good plot, I forget what I'm meant to be doing (the reason I'm anxious), and can focus on the tv programme.

I repeat myself a lot when I'm anxious as well or try to change the subject

something else I tend to like doing is making excuses for why I can't do it (things that I don't actually need to do, but it puts it off longer and longer)

or act like a tortoise and do everything so slow the time just runs out and I don't do it anyway

when I'm depressed I tend to think of the people who are currently worse off and try to think of things i'm greatful for

you know: here I am by my window, being able to type on the forum and listen to music, their's currently people in hospital wards lying on their bed unable to leave the room- that kind of thing.

makes me feel a bit more... well, what have I got to be depressed about- their's people currently having surgery who are probably really depressed about it.

this thought works for me at night time too when I can't sleep

I used to think I was the only person up in england at 3 in the morning, but think of the hospital patients, the nurses, airport staff, ambulance crews, loads of people.. I'm not alone

I also try to give myself something to look forward to

like: I may be anxious now, but later I can go have a mcdonalds when it's finished

gets me past the " what if it doesn't end" feeling.

When I have to go to my doctors I always get my driver to bring me either to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds since they are right next door to each other.You know what is really good? Pumpkin coffee love anything with pumpkin coffee.This is a real treat for me everytime I have to go out which is not to often.I thought this was beautiful the other day my best friend came by and she brought me over a coffee despite the fact she wasnt delivering any meals for that day shows she must really love me.

Taking a bubble bath, making music playlists, watching youtube videos, doing yoga or some kind of light exercise, playing guitar.

Walking. Reading. Watching movies. Talking. Spending time on PC.

I try to get busy with some physical activity. It could be housework, or working out or something crafty. Just something, anything that can bring me into the here and now. Doesn’t always work, but even the effort seems to help.

Walking I cannot do but I do love to read mysteries and horror books .I just about live on my pc do surveys and make some money.

I do a lot of knitting and crocheting I love it ,I make hats,scarves,slipper. headbands and afghans I give them away for Christmas time my friend brings them to the soup kitten.They loved the stuff.

If I can manage to go outside of the house, I really like to go to my local pool hall and play billiards for a couple hours.

If I want to stay home, I usually try to lose myself in a book. This is wonderful for me. I'm not sure if others can relate but it really takes me out of myself/ my current situation and helps me calm down. I find it very therapeutic to get lost in a story.

Other than that, I will tend to my bonsai trees. This is a curious one because a lot of the time tending to them physically would actually do more harm than good, so I check the soil, water them if they need it, and look for new growth and admire it. No matter what, this has always proven to be very calming to me.

I cant wait until spring I am sick and tired of being stuck inside,now you wouldnt have heard me say that about two years ago,I have agoraphobia really bad so it is hard for me to go out

I hear you on the playlists

yes... deffenetely a good distraction

I agree that's really good.

wow I wish I had someone like that

Well after 8 days without her she should be able to stay tomorrow I hope,I get so lonely very easily.