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Original poster

This walk makes such a difference to how I feel

61 replies

Theresbeautyallaround · 03/08/2023 20:52

Every other night (alternate with Dh going Dds bedtime) I take our dog out for a walk on my own at sunset, around the block..lovely houses, people out enjoying themselves on these summer evenings. It’s only a 20-30 minute stroll, but it makes a huge difference to how I feel and just makes me happy.
Such a small thing…what other little, feel good things help others?
Mine are almost always connected to nature, a beautiful sunset, early morning after sunrise, walking in the woods, the beach and the sea, beautiful flowers. But I also love the first cup of coffee, the bit just before my Dd falls asleep, laughing and connecting with a friend who gets you, good food and drink.
Not trying to be cheesy, I suffer depression sometimes and I can tell I’m starting to get better when I focus on and appreciate the v v small things

OP posts:
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SuddenlyOld · 04/08/2023 18:08

I like walking alone to be with my thoughts. Sadly I only feel safe on a busy street. I do go to woods and fields with my dog but I never feel safe. Men don't appreciate how lucky they are to feel safe walking alone.

Other small things - getting huge bear hugs every time my gk sees me, being alone in the house (no dh or dog) so I can just sit in silence for a while

grayhairdontcare · 04/08/2023 18:07

A walk by the canal looking at the local wildlife is just so relaxing

Marleymoo42 · 04/08/2023 17:39

Haha! Wrong thread - sorry! 😂

Marleymoo42 · 04/08/2023 17:38

If you have him on your own then just set your own rules and be firm from the beginning. Children are pretty adaptable. Mine know to wait for grace if we're eating with my christian relatives but we don't do that at home very often. They know that one grandma doesn't allow shoes in the house at all but the other one will often walk into her kitchen still wearing wellies. A big advantage to learn early on that not all houses have the same expectations!

BinnityBoo · 04/08/2023 13:40

Definitely a walk for me too, I make the effort to get up and get out every morning before I get ready for work and it really makes such a difference to my entire day. I didn't go this morning and I can really feel the difference. I love walking, just me, a podcast and the dog.

I know it sound so cliche but I definitely notice a direct correlation between how I feel and how much time I spend on my phone. I've been reading a lot lately so I put my phone down and that makes me feel better too.

I think I've been suffering with depression for a big chunk of this year but I always play it down like it's nothing which I should really stop doing. Nature always helps though.

Shellista · 04/08/2023 13:21

Walks for me too. If necessary, I can just walk in suburbia - that can keep me going if it has to - but it's the walks in nature that help my soul to sing.

shiningcuckoo · 04/08/2023 13:14

I'm a member of a community potters club ... throwing a pot on the wheel. Just being absorbed by the feel of the clay and the interaction of my hands with the wheel.

jeaux90 · 04/08/2023 08:37

My absolute favourite peaceful thing to do in the summer is stop and have a pint at one of the local pubs, sit outside listening and watching the Swifts dart around over head, feeding on the wing and making that beautiful sound they make.

KnutonHardz · 04/08/2023 08:32

I've been WFH for the last year. Previously, when I was lab/office based I'd always have a short walk for lunch with some colleagues. It's a break from the constant work char streams, and nice catch up with people.

Now that I'm currently WFH I go for a solo walk around that same time. In many ways I find the solo walk to be nicer, time to think and look around. On good weather days I walk a few miles to the local town, sometimes get a takeaway coffee but mostly don't.

If the weather is raining I always go for too. I take it as an excuse to walk around across a few fields on my fathers farm, and a quick change of clothes when I get back home. On one level I know this place so well, but I also see new things the whole time!

TrundleWheel76 · 04/08/2023 08:06

When my OH brings me a cup of tea or coffee in bed.

Cryingbutstilltrying · 03/08/2023 23:17

I’m always comforted by smell, more than anything.
Clean, line dried bedding.
Rain.
Roast chicken in the oven.
That lovely baby smell (although mine are beyond that now).

I also love the first tea of the morning when no one else is up, looking out in the garden at the birds and the sunrise.
Ds and I have the best walk to school along the river, spotting birds and boats. I’ve missed that during the holidays and really look forward to September!

ymemanresu · 03/08/2023 23:09

fullbloom87 · 03/08/2023 21:14

You sound like me OP. I suffer from depression and nature is really the only thing that helps.
I'm lucky to live near the new forest and only about 20 minutes from lots of different beaches, so I visit the beach with my dogs at least 2-4 times a week. Sometimes in the day and sometimes in the evening. During winter I'll go there when it's dark as I just love the sound of the waves at night.

'Waves at night' very envious, sounds amazing

ThePoshUns · 03/08/2023 23:00

slugHell · 03/08/2023 21:10

What a lovely thread! I too have struggled with anxiety & depression and I've realised that getting out into nature is the best thing for me. Last year I finally got a dog so I'd have a reason to get out every day, and she is honestly the best thing to have happened to me. I love watching her run around a field or swim in a loch with her tail wagging and her nose to the ground, it makes my heart sing to see her so happy :)

Perfect

ThePoshUns · 03/08/2023 22:59

Walking for me too. If I can't get outside I feel myself dip. I hate Winter and this 'summer' is really getting me down.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 03/08/2023 22:56

Sleeping with the bedroom window open. Mine looks out on countryside. I lived in a ground floor flat in central London for 20 years so just looking out at the horses in the field over the way is wonderful. And t smell of fresh air.

Siameasy · 03/08/2023 22:55

Currently loving picking blackberries! Now, I love eating the crumble but the picking is so therapeutic

Summerscoming23 · 03/08/2023 22:54

What a lovely post ! These are the things that help me

I also love walking,at times on my own and st times with a friend.

Love the catch ups with old friends,and Meeting a new friend and really clicking!

I love when I go get My son from his cot and his beaming up at me,he always wants a cuddle

ChocolateCinderToffee · 03/08/2023 22:53

backtogrey · 03/08/2023 22:13

That's lunch?? It's about 1000 calories too light for me😂

Show quote history

That’s enough for a family of six!

TakeMeToTheForest · 03/08/2023 22:49

Petrichor ♥️

upanddownandupanddown · 03/08/2023 22:40

What a lovely thread! I suffer from depression from time to time, and being outside is definitely best for me when I do. As is cold water swimming in the sea. I also love the feeling of having finished a run or a workout. Exercise and being in nature keep me sane

Ohyoudodoyou · 03/08/2023 22:32

Walking in the woods with the dog in the rain and how earthy he smells
When we get home.
Making a coffee very early in the morning on Sundays, going back to bed with a wide open windows and listening to the birds.
Waking early hours in the morning and hearing rain battering down and being grateful for a roof over my head.

roarrfeckingroar · 03/08/2023 22:30

Sniffing my little children. My baby still has that soft warm milky smell and my toddler after his bath or when he first wakes up smells like love and biscuits.

Original poster
Theresbeautyallaround · 03/08/2023 22:28

Sorry that was for @Manicpanicatthedisco 🙈
I love rain also, that earthy smell after the rain and being inside looking out
I love reading a good book alone (v v rare 😂) lay on my bed with snacks and drinks

OP posts:
Original poster
Theresbeautyallaround · 03/08/2023 22:25

Dogs always…love a bike ride too and swimming in a sunset sea (rarely done) especially after a bit of wine is truly euphoric @slugHell

OP posts:
10HailMarys · 03/08/2023 22:22

I vividly remember a point when I had been seriously depressed, really struggling, when I sat outside in my garden (it wasn’t even very warm, I had to wrap up in a big blanket!) and just watched the birds on my bird feeder for hours while I listened to an audiobook on my phone, and thinking “This is all I have the mental energy to do, but that doesn’t matter because this is lovely”. And that was definitely a turning point for me in my recovery. Nature is always, always a key thing for me.