I just wondered what do you do when you feel low. Do you watch a funny film? Do you have a laugh with a friend? I'm curious.

[Travelinglady]

Yes, I do look for things that are funny--books, TV shows, movies.....Or I might try to go out with friends who are positive. I have to admit, I do sometimes seek comfort food in moderation. I listen to upbeat music. I try to think of positive things and memories and not get into "worst case scenario" thinking. I take a nice, warm bath. I just get out and go window shopping, looking at all the pretty pictures, etc. I might buy myself an inexpensive trinket or treat. That's the general idea, anyway!

[Ygrec23]

Ooooh! I'm not as good as Payne1 when it comes to getting out of a bad mood. I do things like drink liquor and eat crummy food, sometimes. I also do a lot of housework when I feel bad. Considering I'm an old guy that may sound weird, but since I don't have any hangups like women do about doing housework it does indeed work for me. I like things to be clean and neat and my everlovin' doesn't care at all, so I have to do it myself.

After housework I've usually forgotten whatever the bad mood was, and make myself something to eat and then get back on the net either at PC or somewhere else. I don't watch TV at all, so that's out. But a stiff drink and a good CD on the hi-fi are a good replacement. If I haven't had any alcohol (I WON'T drive drunk) I may (if I have money, which isn't always) go out for a $5 Chinese lunch or pizza and stuff myself. (It's amazing how much prepared food you can buy for $5.)

Or sometimes I cook. Yeah, I cook. Problem is, my wife HATES my cooking! I cook American, and she's NOT American. She's a garlic type person, and I am most assuredly NOT. And MY COOKING IS GOOD! No one else but my wife would beef about it. So, for me at least, cooking isn't a nice, friendly, loving getting together. When I cook it's to emphasize my aloneness. Because she won't eat it and I have to eat it all by myself. Well, there's not more that I can do, since she will NEVER cook what I like and if I want to eat it I have to cook it. That's pretty lonely, I'll tell you. And neither of us cook convenience food. Everything is from the ground up. I usually let her cook to avoid any fights. But sometimes I just need some macaroni and cheese or chicken a la king or turkey tetrazzini or greenbean casserole or sausage gravy and biscuits. Take care.

[Vibe]

Sometimes I'll hang out with friends and find some pleasant activity to do which gets me 'out of myself' so to speak. However, if I really want something long term, then I have to make a major positive change in my life. I need to feel like I've accomplished something and addressed the issues which are making me low. This always has a consistent positive affect.

[thine_self_untrue]

I talk to myself. "Thine. Cheer up. There's really nothing to be so sad about. Yes. Yes, I know you feel sad, but it's really okay. Smile. Now. Just do it. See? Was that really so hard? Now find one thing to be positive about..." and so my inner T chatters onward until I tell her to shut up. Sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't.

I also listen to music. I love music and something happy and energetic sounding can sometimes snap me out of it.

Doing something. Anything. Especially if it gets you up and moving around.

Playing the piano. This helps me to focus and just relax and forget how poorly I'm feeling.

[Okami]

Back in the day I had a wiiide variety of things that I'd use. Most of them artistic. Singing, drawing. Drawing used to be my number one. I'd draw out scenes or how I was feeling and it would help out tremendously. I learned, however, as the issues became darker in my worlds this didn't really suffice. Its been awhile since I've had something solid to look to for cheering up or freedom.

Thankfully, very recently I've turned to my writing. Its done me WONDERS in the past few months. Honestly, I couldn't have faced the past couple of months without my writing chipping in.

So cheers to creative writing. Its literally a life saver for me. Hehe.

Thanks to everyday who replied.

[Fresia]

I will play with the dog; listen to music; go for a walk down to the river or head to the beach; go to the park to smack tennis balls ( but I can only do this part of the year); go swimming; or a new movie that I can get into to distract me, the mood usually will pass. I tend not to be able to sit still when I am in a bad mood so the movie may or may not be helpful. Depending on what it is, I have called / met with friends as well which helps.

Friends think I am crazy, but I have a tendency to organize or clean too when in a crummy mood. So I put on music and get going; sometimes it lifts my spirits as the feeling of accomplishment allows the other mood to lift.

[wing]

These are all great ideas!

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by Ygrec23

but since I don't have any hangups like women do about doing housework it does indeed work for me. oh ygrec some women do like housework!! I do cause it gives me a sense of accomplishment. i don't enjoy clutter so that's my remedy!!

Or sometimes I cook. I find many men are better cooks than women cause they are less inhibited and experiment more rather than following a recipe.. But sometimes I just need some macaroni and cheese or chicken a la king or turkey tetrazzini or greenbean casserole or sausage gravy and biscuits ahhh soulfood at it's finest. Take care.

my best remedy is to do a list of all the things i'm grateful for.

[Junerain]

I go on PC and write a poem about what Im feeling, it feels good to express what's deep down! I also read a book about meditation and knowing one's place in the world entitled wherever you go, there you are my T recommended it...I also..go to church and pray..

Everyone's ways of cheering up are good ideas

[lonegael]

Nice warm bath, a book by terry Patchet, and a talk with the kids. That usually does it. HUGGS

[kitty004567]

I keep 2 journals. One is for writing about my feelings (which helps) the other is one that I collect quotes, stories, pictures etc. that struck me as funny, helpful, mindful, or upbeat. When I'm upset I take that out and read through it. That usually helps. I also walk my dogs.

However, I find the best "upper" for me is to clean because usually when I'm in a bad mood or upset I feel out of control of my life/circumstances and cleaning not only helps me feel more in control but also produces visible, tangible results.

I also paint, sew, scrapbook, spend time with children, or sometimes watch a silly movie. Or take a nap. That sometimes helps too.

[IceCreamKid]

I go on the internet and look at pictures of animals: cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, cool monkeys; there are so many wonderful animals and I'm grateful there are a lot of photographers out there.

[lavieenrose]

So many great ideas here. Thanks for the thread. I definitely need to get into the habit of taking action when I'm low. It's easy for me to feel sluggish and lethargic, tell myself everything's too exerting. I used to enjoy reading, writing, sewing, other artwork. walking in nature. Humorous books and movies always elevate my mood, too. I'm inspired by all of you to be more proactive when those moods hit.

Originally Posted by madisgram

my best remedy is to do a list of all the things i'm grateful for.

Thanks for your reply.

[salukigirl]

I get in my car and drive around listening to some up beat music. If it's nice out I roll down the sunroof and sing along out of tune lol Usually it's the goofy looks I get from other drivers that make me feel better

[whenwillitend]

Originally Posted by happycheeks

I just wondered what do you do when you feel low. Do you watch a funny film? Do you have a laugh with a friend? I'm curious.

Hmmm, let's see. I like playing the piano, that's very soothing. I like just sitting on the couch watching mindless tv. I like baking things, VERY therapeutic. Not cooking though, just baking. Playing with my kids. Playing with my dogs and cats. Taking the dogs for a nice long walk. Taking a nice shower in peace and quiet.

Those are the good things I do. And then of course there's the si.

Originally Posted by whenwillitend

Hmmm, let's see. I like playing the piano, that's very soothing. I like just sitting on the couch watching mindless tv. I like baking things, VERY therapeutic. Not cooking though, just baking. Playing with my kids. Playing with my dogs and cats. Taking the dogs for a nice long walk. Taking a nice shower in peace and quiet.

Those are the good things I do. And then of course there's the si.

Ooo sounds nice

[whenwillitend]

I forgot a few. I also like to color and listen to some music while I color. I like to talk to people on the computer. I do housework, and I also like looking up new recipes online.

[sundog]

I talk to my dogs in a really silly voice!!!! Sometimes I make up a new language and talk to them in that pretend language. It feels good to let made up words roll off my tongue. And my dogs don't care since they don't know what I'm saying anyway!! They just go by the tone of my voice. And if I talk in a silly but cheerful voice to them it makes me feel better too!!

[PleaseHelp]

Give my kids hugs, play with the dog, look at pictures of happier times, take baths. If I'm angry/upset I clean like a mad woman and CRANK the tunes. Listening to music and dancing around the house really does help. I'm sure there are other things, just can't think at the moment.

Originally Posted by sundog

I talk to my dogs in a really silly voice!!!! Sometimes I make up a new language and talk to them in that pretend language. It feels good to let made up words roll off my tongue. And my dogs don't care since they don't know what I'm saying anyway!! They just go by the tone of my voice. And if I talk in a silly but cheerful voice to them it makes me feel better too!!

awww that's sweet. Made me smile

Originally Posted by PleaseHelp

Give my kids hugs, play with the dog, look at pictures of happier times, take baths. If I'm angry/upset I clean like a mad woman and CRANK the tunes. Listening to music and dancing around the house really does help. I'm sure there are other things, just can't think at the moment.

Sounds good