What keeps you distracted?

xxblackrosesxx · Mar 17, 2015, 06:39 AM

When you are depressed?

I find that listening to music and taking long walks help me a lot. Even though I have no interest in working or much about other things, I find that working helps although it takes a lot out of me atm. I have my annual leave on the 26th March. I have no idea what else to do to keep me from self harming during the 15 days I have off. I can't keep to the same routine of walking and listening to music. Any help please?

ShrinkPatient · Mar 17, 2015, 07:16 AM

When I have "down time," I worry about self harm too. I always have down time in October so last year I decided to try to do the opposite of SIB. I decided to pamper myself everyday. I would do things like taking a bubble bath, I exfoliated my whole body (that feels great btw), I'd drive to Starbucks and get my favorite, vente pumpkin latte. Other ideas... go get a mani or a pedi, schedule a massage, see your stylist and have your hair done. Do a little retail therapy, like buy something for yourself that you've been wanting but normally, you'd never buy for yourself and you'd just hope someone gives it to you as a gift. But hey, just go buy it for yourself and you don't have to hope and wait.

I don't know if you would be into this sort of thing exactly but if you can find a focus, it helps to distract from SIB.
Good Luck, big hug.

lors · Mar 17, 2015, 07:24 AM

Biking definitely helps me out. Being "in" nature and the change in scenery sort of makes me feel refreshed.

It's also a kind of sport where I feel totally in control - I decide the pace, the route, how long I ride.

And the focus I get while on the bike is amazing. I feel locked in and in tune with my surroundings.

Besides that, the bike itself is a tremendous distraction. All the components and parts have little upgrade streams and each little upgrade (done right) can help make you faster, lighter and more comfortable.

Overall, it's just a positive distraction with so many health benefits. And the more I ride, the more fit I get, the clearer I'm thinking.

And that's not even the coolest part. My favorite aspect of the sport is the adventure and the sense of achievement I feel when I go places. I love shocking friends and family when I show pics of where I go. I go places that already seem far by car. Or even if it's near by, it seems like a different world.

All in all, it's the exact opposite of when I feel down - where I feel overwhelmed, stuck, helpless, tiny, alone, powerless.

ozzy1313 · Mar 17, 2015, 09:01 AM

If I am able to concentrate I like to read. Watching tv is good when I can't. It's hard to distract when depressed. I find that if I can get out I like wandering around Target (love that store). Organizing stuff in my house helps.

Crazy Hitch · Mar 17, 2015, 09:32 AM

Hi 5 my roses

I love my favourite music

dxj5069 · Mar 17, 2015, 11:20 PM

Exercising, definitely. Music is a huge distraction, as well as sometimes just sitting outside and enjoying the sun. I sometimes just lay down on a nice grassy patch at a park, have a picnic, or flip through magazines. Something easy and visual to get my mind off of depressing things. Lately, I've gone to the beach during morning hours on the weekend when it's bright, beautiful and empty. I can walk alone, release all my bad energy, and take in the beauty of the ocean. I've also realized that talking really does help during depression...of course with someone who you trust. Just a nice phone call to tell him or her about how crappy or decent your day has been, vent if you need to, and then talk about positive things that will come out of all of this very soon, etc.

rollacoasta · Mar 18, 2015, 12:35 AM

Do you have a partner or someone you are close to.

Just having them by my side when I am depressed helps. It has to be the right help though, someone that doesn't try to beat it out of your or simply tell you to get over it. People that just hug you and listen.

Hexagram · Mar 18, 2015, 04:55 AM

Pills and the internet?

Mar 18, 2015, 04:06 PM

My answer to everything is- Sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Teasing. I have a ton of hobbies, 2 kids, pets, interests, etc.

gemini_double · Mar 18, 2015, 10:09 PM

Video games. Lots and lots of video games. 8 hour days sometimes. Keeps the senses stimulated, and something to have to be focused intently on!

RisuNeko · Mar 19, 2015, 01:33 AM

Video games and tv, at the same time, because I have a handheld video game system (Nintendo 3ds). When I get sick of that I got stir crazy and start cleaning(I'm very messy) or calling people (i'm not a phone person), or I start heading down dark mental pathways. Usually the latter happens but I'm working on avoiding that. I want to take more walks. I've lost 32 lbs in the last 4.5 weeks and I want to keep going so that I can lose all of the 115 lbs I gained in two years from the 12 meds I was on a while back, esp. lithium and risperidone and saphris. I want really badly to get back to 180lbs (I'm 6 Feet tall and female). Right now I'm at 262 from 295.