How do you cheer yourselves up?

[RockLobster93]

Recently started antidepressants, though I've been awful at remembering to take them. I know there's no point unless you take them daily as instructed, I am working on that!

But just as a general- how do you ladies/guys cheer yourselves up when you're feeling really really down?
Seems as though I'll be okay- just a bit down but manageable- then all of a sudden BAM... I feel awful, can barely hold back tears, let alone concentrate on anything properly. I just want to curl up in bed and cry.
Which is impossible, I finish work at 5pm then start 2nd job at 6pm...just about enough time to pop home and see my LO.

[Albinohedgehogs]

It sounds like your life is very tiring and gruelling. Anyone would need pepping up in your situation.
I try to do something good for my well being rather than quick fixes which bring me down in the end anyway (like chocolate)
Nutritious meals
Lots of water
Fresh air
Tidy environment
Listening to comedians
Visiting friends for a cuppa
It's also nice to have a massage, get nails it hair done. Go to gym. Something just for you.
My favourite one is an early night.

[Littlebitshort]

Get hair coloured and or cut.
Put make up on.
Excersise...loosing weight (or trying) always makes me feel better.
Meeting with different people socially (coffee though as alcohol is a dipressant)
Doing something for others...eg hosting a macmillan coffee morning therefore keeping me busy and feeling good about my good deed.
Throwing myself into work.
Sprucing up the house.
Driving with the music on loud.

[Hollyhop17]

Over indulging in what I love. For me, its Christmas. Wont always work if I'm really, really bad, but generally does. I put Christmas music and films on. Read Christmas mags, plan my next Christmas etc.

Is there anything you particularly like? If so, over indulge for a day/few days.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[VioletCharlotte]

Bless you

Sorry you're having a rough time. Hopefully the ADs will start to make you feel better in a couple of weeks.

Things that help me feel better are -
Getting outside to walk my dog and getting fresh air as much as possible. I find nature grounds me and I love watching how the landscape changes as we move through the seasons.
Plenty of exercise - swimming, yoga, Pilates
Eating properly - plenty of healthy food but comfort food as well.
Getting enough sleep
Meeting up with friends for coffee
Snuggling on the sofa with my kids/ dog
Reading a good book
Having an occasional sunbed
Making sure my home is warm, comfortable and relaxing - soft throws, candles, salt lamp
Relaxing baths

Hope you feel better soon x

[Littlecaf]

Go outside and look at the sky.

[DeadDoorpost]

Dog videos or pictures! 😍😍 for whatever reason they always make me feel better.

[Comtesse]

Sorry to hear you are struggling. For a quick boost I try some of my favourite dancing music on YouTube and jump around. Or watch the Lego Movie with my kids.

[Aquamarine1029]

All I have to do is think about how horrible so many people's lives are and how fortunate I really am. Life is hard for everybody on certain levels, but when I think of how horrifying things could be, it puts it all into perspective.

[Sunnysidegold]

I think getting outside in the fresh air is really important.

I use a little app called dosecast to remind me to take my meds. You set a time say 8am and then you either select "take tablets" or postpone.its better than an alarm you can dismiss.

[blahdyblahblah]

Although it's bloody hard sometimes going for a walk always lifts my spirits.

Getting off all social media has helped cheer me up recently too.

[iamUberA]

I'm very stressed at the moment, I didn't sleep last night til 5.30 am, I thought about staying in bed but decided getting out with a friend for breakfast would cheer me up more, had a right laugh!

[Sayyouwill]

I either go to the gym or put on some cheesy music and dance around the house

[LongWavyHair]

Exercise
Eating "clean"
Having my skin scrubbed (microdermabrasion)
Decorating
Having a whole day to myself
Going to the cinema
A nice hot bath
Having my hair done
Going out for something to eat

[CarolsSecretCookieRecipe]

I have depression too. I try and walk the dog every day (he generally nudges me in the butt until I take him out, so that helps). I feel much better after I've gone out, but it is an overwhelming effort getting there some days.
Appreciating nature while I'm outside - the little things like a bee in a flower.
Acknowledging that my situation could be a lot worse than it is.

I have my medication next to the kettle, so it's visible, to remind me to take them.

[Gah81]

A long walk outside while listening to my "fierce" or "perky" play lists (yes, I have playlists for each mood).

[Gah81]

Cinema by myself is a good one too. Did that this week - me, IT, some popcorn and a bit of cowering behind my coat. It worked wonders.

[redexpat]

Focus on what i can control. So i make sure I have 5 peices of fruit and veg a day.

[tocas]

Sorry you're having a tough time OP

For me:

Exercise in any form
Giving myself a mani/ pedi / mini facial
Have a long hot shower, shaving my legs and then using moisturiser (!)
Baking cakes
Cooking a nice meal (takes mind off everything as does baking)
Socialising (even if you don't feel like it this has a real positive affect on mood - humans need interaction with people they love)
Haircut (as others have said)
Generally be kind to yourself !

[riviera01]

Walk/Leslie sansone at home if raining
Spend time my daughter
Find a good box set
Meet a friend or even phone a friend
Buy a magazine and have a coffee while reading
Baking
Cooking a nice dinner

Yesterday I was down and I did Leslie sansone /baked a cake / chatted my daughter / arranged to meet my sister for lunch tomorrow. It did make me feel better but I do have to try do something every day for me .

OP I hop you feel better today. My worry is you might find it hard to find time for you with your working schedule . Please try

[5rivers7hills]

Get some fresh air and have a brisk walk
Eat nice food
Cuddle my cat
See friends

[bridgetreilly]

If you've only started taking the antidepressants recently, and especially if you haven't taken them every day, it may well be that you're still in the 'worse before it gets better' stage. One good way of making sure you remember them is to do it when you do something else you always do - cleaning teeth, first cup of coffee, or whatever.

Otherwise, just be kind to yourself. Let yourself cry if you can. Treat yourself to something. Don't worry about not being able to do everything. And if the drugs don't kick in soon, go back to your doctor who can either increase the dose or prescribe something else.

[RockLobster93]

Thank you all so much for all your kind messages,
Unfortunately riviera01 is right, finding the time to get some time to myself is difficult, though Saturday my OH is out of the house so hopefully I'll be able to ignore the washing for one night! In serious need of a bubble bath..
Don't feel as down today, not on the verge of tears but feeling very... flat. I guess that's the best way to describe it. Think the lack of sleep these past few weeks definetly hasn't helped my moods.

Thank you very much for the suggestion about the app- Sunnysidegold- already downloaded and set up! Though haven't taken a dose in over a week so dreading starting all over again- nasty side effects for the first week :(

Thank you all so much for your responses, it's nice to feel cared about even if just for a momentary quick forum response. I find it so difficult to talk to anyone about this stuff, OH is the only one who knows and he doesn't seem to care- he was the one who persuaded me to go to the docs in the first place. Since then he just gets angry if I say I'm having a bad day or need support. So thank you all again so so much, I am so grateful for every response.

[Sandsunsea]

I start a diet/eating plan. Controlling what I eat and losing weight/feeling healthier always helps me.
I also go for a brisk walk in the trees/beach.
Or do a bit of internet shopping.

[backaftera2yearbreak]

I lie in the bath and watch videos on YouTube of people winning things. I'm a sucker for a happy ending though

[AuntyElle]

Honestly, if you are taking ADs then you must take them every day. Otherwise the fluctuating levels of them in your blood can make you feel worse. A good step that you have got an app to remind you now.