[OptimisticAngel]

Something that really interests me, as a very creative person, is what helps you through difficult times, times when you feel yourself slipping, crashing, or just not feeling that great?

What helps me:

Listening to music,
Writing,
Reading,
Talking to people,
Helping others.

What helps me the most?

Singing. I could sing until I lose my voice, and still feel miles better. Even when I've had a horrible mood crash and feel like I can't lift myself out, I put on a song that I know I can sing, and I sing. And sing, and sing...

So, what helps you when the mood spiral hits?

[lizardlady]

Oh OptimisticAngel you do NOT want me to sing!!! I have a terrible singing voice!

Things that help me...
cuddlig with my critters
talking to a friend
listening to music
being outside
physical activity
coming to PC
crafts

some times I just give in to feeling rotten and let myself wallow on the pity pot for a set amount of time.

[OptimisticAngel]

Teehee, lizardlady! It's OK, we all have our different talents and I can imagine that one of yours is your crafts, otherwise you wouldn't enjoy it!

Wallowing in the pity pot is good for us sometimes, though. Sometimes we need that It's not always a bad thing!

[Nicks_Nose]

If I feel anxiety coming on....PC helps a lot. If I feel depressed...sunshine, music, ice cream (not too much), and time. If racing thoughts and worry spells...baking, sudoku or word puzzles to distract my thoughts.

[beauflow]

some times it helps me to do art... other times I am just so fed up and going down so fast that art does not help-- but most of the times it does... Some times i am even surprised with no motivation and then starting with doing, get motivation to do it.

I like a clean place too-- You can tell if the apt is a sty that I have not been doing well and need to get back up some how... But sometimes I catch it before it is such a sty and that can help....

Distractions some times help me, but there are too many times I wonder if that is denial playing tricks on me and i think I am being pro-active. Still have not figured that one out.

Some times music helps me too--

Here lately- Just the simply saying- I am awesome and I try! has helped me with not getting so far down as I have in the past.

Staying away from drugs and alcohol in times like these, helps a ton as well.

PC Helps a lot too

[Sabrina]

Sleeping as late as possible always soothes me when things are rough. And watching TV provides a mindless distraction.

[Travelinglady]

Yeah, I tend to distract myself by watching TV or reading a book--or both. I might also get out a bit with a friend, such as going to have coffee or even doing a bit of window shopping or thrift store browsing.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

doing a bit of window shopping or thrift store browsing.

Oh yes Payne! I call that retail therapy. I'll wander through Wally World or the Dollar Store to distract myself.

[OptimisticAngel]

Teehee retail therapy - best thing ever invented!

All of us are so different in our ways of coping, and it is great to see so many ideas coming out of this - just what I was after! I may have to try some of these ideas...

I find that going to the gym helps, too, being proactive with my health/fitness

[Nicks_Nose]

To beat just your basic everyday stress ... peace and quiet, comedy tv, or comedy online. For boredom....research...I love to find out new information about things.

Really long walks (~ 10 km) work the best for me. It helps me sort out my thoughts and ease my anger. Playing bass guitar, listening to music and writing are also great distractions.

[Travelinglady]

I also agree with Nicks Nose. I like to find comedy when I am feeling down. I find some funny movies and search out books that have a lot of humor in them. For example, I like Janet Evanovich's mystery books ("One for the Money," etc.) because her characters are, well, such characters! And I look for humor on TV. Alas, though, I don't find too many shows that are all the funny to me.

[OptimisticAngel]

I love a good comedy piece, I think laughter is always the best medicine. I always think, though, when I am stressed/angry/upset, that comedy will just annoy me, but it never ceases to make me smile at least

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

For example, I like Janet Evanovich's mystery books ("One for the Money," etc.) because her characters are, well, such characters!

Oh Payne, I love her wild and wacky characters! The grandma cracks me up every time!

[whatbeanbelieved]

Coming to PC, talking to my friends and ... I'm sorry to say, ice-cream.

[lizardlady]

bumpity, bump, bump

[beauflow]

At work-
I find with me taking my breaks as I should helps if I am "slipping" or in my case, ready to explode after time..... Also with trying best to find other perceptions of what "may" be going since (yeah hard to explain) but basically not full truths are given to each other at work.... I try to remember that work is work but it can be so hard...

[OptimisticAngel]

Beauflow, it can be very hard, I agree. And I'm very much the same with taking breaks on time and such. I get very tetchy, impatient and somewhat anxious if I don't think I'll get to my break on time. Just because I need the 5 minute away from my desk, away from the phones, just standing up, walking around, breathing in fresh air.

It's something we take for granted so much, being able to have the room to roam, but in a stuffy office, you realise just how much you miss it huh...

[Vibe]

I try to get physically healthy and start living a more ideal life. I exercise more and try to eat right. I also make sure to spend time with close friends and family, and try not to fall behind on school/work. It's easier said than done, but if I'm just starting to go downhill sometimes I can catch myself before I get too far.

[irishpackerfan]

When i get stressed i pull a forrest gump and just run

[Nicks_Nose]

Scent does a lot for me. Whether it is the scent of flower, or the smell of food cooking, or the clean sweet smell of after a rain...I love smells. They affect my moods alot. I love the scent of baby products! Aveeno and Johnson & Johnson mmmmmm.

[lizardlady]

Oh Nick's Nose I forgot that one! I'll burn scented candles, use air fresheners or heat scented wax. I use different scents for different moods.

Optomistic Angel, this is a great thread. Thanks for starting it!

[Nicks_Nose]

Another thing that helps when I feel myself slipping? Velcro Tee Hee

[OptimisticAngel]

Thanks everyone for replying and I'm so sorry I haven't been around, things have been quite hectic but I'm still keeping to my name and being optimistic as ever!

Nicks Nose, you're so right, I LOVE different smells! My partner put a new air freshener in whilst I was away and every time I come home from work, I breathe a deep breath, and smell the warmth of it. It is just so calming. I love the smell of just cut grass, and the flowers I have sitting on the hearth. I adore the smell of my cats, which may sound strange, but they do have such a wonderfully comforting smell about them!

I did some mild yoga earlier, sitting by the french doors in the lotus position, back straight, hands resting in my lap with my elbows pushed outward, and I breathed deeply. I could feel my mind calming so quickly and that is the most glorious feeling in the World, the tensions of the day ebbing away, flowing out... Mmmmmm

[LiteraryLark]

I buy shoes with better traction and be careful around bananas. Those bastards just come out of nowhere!

And when worse comes to worse, I grab my best friend so at least both of us look like idiots when we slip and fall.

The moral of the story is laughter. Laughter, love, and forgiveness is stronger than any Rx.