What do you do when you feel unbearably sad?

[whatausername]

Just that really. Everything passes eventually but what do you do meantime?

I think it depends as OPs say but generally I think I feel better when I have got up and out and done something rather than stayed in bed or in the house. Exercise, a walk or a run often makes me feel great as does doing something like cleaning the house or organising a room (if you feel up to it).

other times you just have to let yourself feel shut and remind yourself it will pass.

I can't recommend a good cry enough. After my second MMC last summer, I made myself have a day at home, listening to some songs that I knew would make me cry. I had a damn good cry and just felt so much better afterwards. It was so cathartic. It didn't cure me, but I felt lighter afterwards. There has to be a reason we cry, I really think it helps!!

Binge eat. Cry my heart out. Wallow fot a day or two. But I always tell myself I'll not feel as bad in the morning. Knowing that is what gets me through.

I withdraw. Silence. Nothing.
I breath and that’s it.
But I can’t breath other people’s air.
Just doing that to me, will inconvenience them. I don’t want that.

So seemingly, no one notices, at all ever. No one.
I have been in that situations about 3 times in the last 3 years.
Mute, silent, stopped eating, drinking fluids, talking or interacting with people.
No one noticed or asked me if I was ok.
lasted about 3 weeks each time.

Eventually it subsided. Not sure how or why, but it did.
Dont know, think power through, it eventually gets better somehow.

Sometimes being around good smells seems to help. So incense, candles, oil burners... A hot bubble bath and a good book.

Sometimes I take a walk at night with some music on.

And sometimes I just cry through some manual task like sorting socks or going through the house with a bin bag and chucking anything that disagrees with me. Then at least I come away feeling like I did something.

My darling Dad died 6 weeks ago today, and I feel horribly sad all of the time.

I'm giving in to it. And crying a lot, especially when I'm out on a long walk with the dogs.

Head for the beach with the dog (depending on what it is that’s happened).
Shower.
A bloody good cry.
Exercise or gardening or cleaning if I’m also angry /upset with life being unfair/ if there’s nothing I can do to change the outcome.
Sometimes get away for a few days.

💐Hope you’re ok….

I go outside. Nature always soothes the mind. Then home for comfort book and a good book. Jenny Colgan writes lovely funny comforting novels.

I feel sad as my mum is very unwell. I overeat and oversleep to cope.

If I'm feeling really down I eat lots of pasta and chocolate, get under a blanket and binge watch familiar comfort films or rom coms - also self help on you tube.

When I'm beginning to come out of it I 'make nice' - tidy up, change my bedding, cook something nice. If I have the energy having a pleasant environment gives me a lot of comfort.

Have a hot shower and a good cry. Chat to my best friends. Curl up in bed and watch something to take my mind off things. Cuddle my little ones. Comfort eat! Hope you're okay, OP

If I just feel horribly low then I try and go for a nice fast walk. I'm really lucky to live in the countryside/on the coast which is great for getting emersed in nature and all that stuff. I felt very miserable a few weeks back and took myself off for a walk down to a remote creek. I hopped into somebody's (woefully neglected) boat and sat in it, enjoying it bobbing up and down on the water while I listened to the curlews and waited for the sun to go down. On the way back I passed a herd of 6 wild deer doing their thing, and had a barn owl swoop right past me, which was really cool. I felt so much better after that.

A cuddle with my dog really helps me feel less anxious, but she's really not tactile and usually feels uncomfortable when her space is invaded so I only go to her for comfort when I'm feeling desperate. I always then slip her a piece of cheese which makes it worth her while!

If I'm at home I like to open my window nice and wide, turn the lights down, light a candle and listen to peaceful/relaxing (not sad though) music on my headphones. I try and do a bit of tidying around the room too which I find helps. I can't control what's made me feel low but I can make my immediate environment better in little ways, even if it's just hanging up the jumper I'd chucked on the floor and dusting the bookshelf. The fresh air from the open window makes a big difference I think. And I love when the stars are out or even when it's chucking it down with rain and I can sit on the cold slate window seat, gazing out and just letting the universe overwhelm me for a minute.

Big Hugs for anyone feeling bleak at the moment. Spring is on it's way now at least, even if it is taking its time!

Thanks everyone. Still reading my way through your replies 💐

Put on Bridge Over Troubled Water and loudly blubbingly cry/sing repeatedly (I like my sorrow to have this soundtrack). The sing/cry actually helps. I only do this when alone as it's a bit ridiculous and I am no singer at the best of times.

OP I feel this way at the moment too. It’s really shit. You are welcome to message me and I will read every word / listen / reply if you want me to

Like PPs have said, sleeping lots (just being in bed under blankets) and hot showers help me. Not having to cook and wash up is also helpful. Paper plates and ready meals or takeaways. Also, rewatch funny X factor and BGT audition compilations. They make me laugh whenever I’m feeling rubbish. Sending hugs.

Withdraw from life, sleep a lot to blot out the anxiety and depression. Hate being like that but the compulsion to do the above is overriding.

I tend to wallow. Then I usually unload on a friend. Cross stitch. Getting up, getting out into the fresh air. Meeting a friend for coffee. Become determined to pull myself out of the hole. Stroke my cats. Do a bit of gardening. Go to work.

Work my way through a sad song playlist YouTube rabbit hole and cry it out

Like a PP, I go for a run. People in my village remark on seeing me running, I suspect they think I am fitness mad. No, it is just the way I cope mentally. I don’t run to be fit or slim, I run to stay sane.

Sit with sad feelings but try not to put them into words, as that doesnt help when I've been really sad. Look at a distant view, preferably hills without people or many buildings etc. Listen to Bach's goldberg variations - piano music, again helps to process feelings without having to put them into words.
When I'm better able to, go for a run or long brisk walk.

I misread a PP as ‘sit by the window and fart’ which has made me laugh after a sad and stressful day!

🌸 to all

Have a good long cry
Cup of tea
Glass of bubbles/wine/gin!
Nice hot bubble bath with candles/oils
Go for a walk
Sleep

Listen to music and go for a walk at the beach

I'm bipolar so have "the fear" of being sectioned, yet again.

I find what helps amazingly is to talk about feeling low. When I do, I feel better quickly. The more people I talk to the quicker I feel better. And when I have talked I have never been sectioned.

It's very powerful.