What improves your mental health?

[prettyshiny]

Have been suffering with anxiety and ocd since teen years and feel like I have tried everything generally recommended - medication and CBT did not seem to work for me in the long run.

Am really struggling now, and wondering if exercise and more sleep might help. Anyone else got any tips that worked for them?

Lots of protein, food quality magnesium and zinc .. does wonders for the brain!

Weight lifting and walks by the sea

Long walks in nature
Magnesium and b complex
Eating well
Limiting social media

Try finding a TRE practitioner to teach you to do TRE Tremor release exercise its very good , for trauma.

I'm similar (worked on it over the years but still have iffy days).
I love the lido idea from @aibutohavethisusername loads of great suggestions.
I lift weights with good music on. It is tiring at first but you get into it and it's destressing. Classic FM on before bed in the darkness, just listen with no phone screen staring. Earlier bedtime. Baths are good, I'm terrible for not relaxing, so baths force me to relax (with the cheap battery operated tea lights dotted about).
Walking in the countryside is great, spending time with our pets.

Blind boy pod cast and a long solitary walk. He has saved my sanity and I've learnt so much...

For me exercise. The harder the better.
Having someone to listen. Just listen, not offer advice (unless I ask)). For me the Samaritans have been that ear. I have called them, sometimes more than once in a day, and dumped my whole mind on them. It didn't change my situation but always calms me down, and enables me to carry on.

In my darkest times, medication and MH support.

Currently berocca and a very low dose of lithium.

Going for long walks.

Forcing myself to go to at least a few social events a month.

Tried therapy for over a year though haven't been since November. I take breaks from it.

Oh and singing in a choir..

Thanks everyone - lots of fab ideas here. Anxiety and ocd present mainly as health anxiety and also intrusive thoughts, but I do find it easy to "carry on as normal" as it were so think making use of my dusty gym membership might be a good starting point.

I also have quite a strong diet drinks addiction which I realise might be contributing to bad anxiety as that's all extra caffeine.

Love the idea of more crafty stuff, did take up embroidery when I was pregnant but seem to have let that slide too!

Wow, nearly 100% of responses say exercise. And getting outside just for a walk is free.
Roll on Spring!

Meds, regular walks outside in the fresh air, the gym (I do 4 days a week, 1 day cardio and the other 3 lifting weights).
Managing my diet so I eat more colours and less beige, making the effort to do my hair, get my nails and eyebrows done etc. I get dressed every day... Never sitting at home all day as it doesn't do me any favours, will always go out even just to the shop or for a walk. Seeing friends or family.
Managing my mental health is a bit of a mission ha but very worthwhile commitment.

Going for a walk, being outside, by the sea even better. Usually I'm too lazy to do it, but it does make me feel better and then wonder why I don't do it more often

Sleep
Walking outside
Eating well eg salmon and veg
Something I enjoy with a friend like brunch or theatre

Walking in nature, like everyone said ( it sounds boring but it works)
Lucky to be in London so all the museums, galleries, exhibitions and theatre. I can't be anxious in the National Gallery.
Reading and spending time in the library
Spending time with people with common interests: book clubs, heritage walks, theatre groups.

Generally, thinking less about my broken brain and more about the world outside.

Having a clean and tidy house, mess just makes me very stressed

going to my spin classes, yoga and swimming

going for a long walk or bike ride at the weekend , preferably with my dh.

Dancing.
It's great exercise, there's music and you can find types of dance with a social element so you can connect with a friendly accepting bunch who all share the same interest. It's a great way to both express yourself and get out frustration too

Reading mills and boon books the vintage ones .
Being alone and being single no drama .

I started sertraline in December. The last few years I have lived through a thick fog of anxiety and stress and felt like I'd lost myself. The tablets kicked in and I'm like a new person. I've decluttered most of our house which has brought a new type of calm in my head. There's so much more to do, but the more I do the happier I feel. I light candles. I drink so much more water and I drink herbal teas. I try to do some relaxation exercises each day. I have a good morning and evening routine - implementing an evening routine has really boosted my wellbeing. I've also started watching YouTube wellness videos for inspiration and to motivate me.

The more of these things i do the lighter I feel but the most important thing has been seeing myself as a person again and putting myself first.

Diazepam. Dancing . Walking. Screaming 🙈🙉🙊

I don't have ocd but severe anxiety linked to past trauma. Medication made a big difference, but the right type (duloxetine & propranolol). Also what I eat has a noticeable effect and obviously sleep too.

Embracing different types of rest has helped - I took up knitting as it helps when I'm anxious, gives me a focus and something to do with my hands without taking energy and helps me regulate my feelings.

Being outside. I live in a flat with no garden but i have a few pots and planting annuals and growing bulbs really makes a difference. I've also adapted my life - don't often put myself in situations I know I will struggle and over time this has helped reduce my anxiety overall.

Lots of little things = cumulative effect.

Fun exercise. Eating clean. Nature. Doing something active and fun with the kids.

Exercise. Exercise should do it more really.

Exercise, even five minutes doing some squats while the kettle is boiling, never fails to make me feel better. I usually run too but an injured and have really noticed my moods have suffered.

Time for me. Reading 'up-lit which is books where nothing bad happens (generally) and the messages are positive.

EFT tapping therapy - I've managed to shift some very entrenched thoughts about myself and motivated to move forward and I'm usually not very good at that.

Spending time with and cherishing people who are in my corner and ditching the ones that aren't.

Eating really nice food. Trying to make one new thing each week from the piles of recipe books.

Exercise.

Which is really weird as when you're in a bad way it's the last thing you want to do.

The trick is to find something you absolutely love. It may be swimming, it may be crossfit, it might even be skipping, for me it's cycling. Just get the blood pumping.

Exercise releases endorphins, it also gives you the headspace to think things through rationally and exist in a state of calm.

When I'm particularly worried about a certain situation, or I feel myself slipping, I head out of the bike, it could be 7 miles or it could be 40. At some point, I'll be mulling things over with clarity I've missed before.

For those of us that struggle from time to time, it really helps.