Things that can cheer you up in 10 Minutes

[Pancakepipsqueak]

I am going through a very low depressive period of my life and I don’t want to bore everyone with the details but I wondered if anyone had any things they can do in under an hour that can lift you, even if it’s just to get through the day.

so far I can only think of:
a nice coffee (standing in the garden if there’s a bit of sun)
listening to some good music (preferably very loud to block out the noise in my head)

any tips from anyone to add to my
arsenal?

get a bird feeder - the rspb do big bags of Nice seeds. Makes such a difference to watch them.

hugs for you and your son. Xxxxxx

Waking up early, sitting in bed in the sunshine with a coffee, listening to birdsong.

Going for a run.

Kickboxing/karate

A romcom in front of a roaring fire (winter)

Sitting on a beach watching the sun come up (Summer)

Gossiping with my dsis

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.

I have a folder in my internet browser of things that always make me laugh - the drunk woman who stole a ferry, Jessica Mitford and Maya Angelous singing Right Said Fred, Bloggess and Beyonce the chicken, that sort of thing. Really daft stuff, and when I'm starting to sink I find a ridiculous giggle derails things a bit, which can help.

I also have a note on my phone of Things I'm Glad I Was Here To See when I wonder what the point of carrying on is. I add to it most weeks - first blossom of the year, seeing the fox cubs in the snow next door, the smell of the Norway Spruce Christmas tree, my friend Sue's coffee which is always the best. I take the tiny wins where I can get them.

Getting into the habit of noting down the positives - however small at the moment - helped me develop the habit of actively looking for the good bits in life and my mental health has improved very much as a result.

I'm sorry you are going through such a tough time.

Take up photography - just using your phone.

once you start to notice eg huge cloud formations/ the bright green hawthorn leaves just appearing round here/ busy bumble bee etc etc etc it’s hard to be negative

The panda at Edinburgh Zoo always cheers me up. I'm convinced he's a bloke in a panda suit

https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/panda-cam/

Summer of 69 song. Very carefree times and laughter. I don't pine the time that's passed, I just love the happy feeling it gives me of memories.
Technology only really became a thing in my early 20's and the times are from before then.

I'm so sorry for your loss. That must be so incredibly hard.

I've not been in your position but have felt out of sorts recently due to bc diagnosis .

Things I have done which have lifted my spirits -

Being outside - planting , weeding and going for a walk through local park

Going somewhere different and stopping for a coffee and croissant

Colouring -I find it very reading and it helps that I love stationery

Making an effort to blow dry my hair , wear a different combo of clothes and go out somewhere new

Singing along to fave songs loudly in my car whilst driving along - summer of69 is a favourite

Walking along a beach and having f windswept hair and hot chips

I see that you have a little one - doing something like jumping in puddles with them or flying a kite or sitting on the top desk of a bus with a mini picnic sightseeing - simple daft things but would make me smile

All of this may sound trite given your situation but whatever the size of your garden, squat down and see what is growing, what is sending out new shoots. To be fair, I probably pull out half of them because they are weeds (and that’s not a bad analogy for how you might deal with unwanted thoughts) but being out in nature has a very calming effect on me, even when it is a bit grey and overcast.

The other thing that I have done when I am down is only to listen to songs which have generally positive lyrics (which is when you realise just how many good songs have pretty depressing lyrics). Since the beginning of the year, I have a shower every morning listening to the Beach Boys Good Vibrations on repeat and have found that I’ve got it in my head for situations where I feel stressed and I want to just think about it for a second, then take a deep breath and go on with the rest of the day.

The bird feeder idea is good too. Always something to watch there when you don’t want to go outside.

I'm an almost 90s baby and the song even gives me some sort of nostalgia feel, like I have the memories too! 😆 I wasn't even born for another 20 years.

What was it like back then, that summer? I always wonder that...

Or @ anyone who remembers the summer of 69..?

Look on Gumtree for some unusual pots op. I got these for £20 the lot!

Lie on my hammock looking up at the sky.
A candle lit bath
Listening to an audible book
A nap with the dog ( I find her breathing calming)
Cleaning something!
A warm shower
A walk
Cuddling the cat

Some of mine are:

• Straightening or curling my hair (the concentration tends to make any feelings fade into the background plus you feel great afterwards)
• Painting my nails
• Hot shower with the nicest-smelling shower gel I can find
• Youtubeing a Leslie Sansone 10 minute walk video (she is irresistably fun)
• Running the hoover round (sad I know... I love hoovering)
• Singing along to the Six musical

Hi OP, sorry things are tough. How about planting some seeds indoors? Sweetpeas are satisfying to watch grow. Plant rows in a tray and put on your windowsill. Then plant out in a hanging basket or big planter up canes when the risk of frost has gone. They are beautiful, smell good and it feels like a real achievement. Also you can cut them and bring indoors and the plant will generate even more. X

Watch this...

gripped.com/video/rappel-tips-for-santa-or-anyone-with-a-beard/

I also didn't read your update- sorry if my reply was flippant

Watching the Piano Guys on YouTube do their mashup of the Jackson 5 and Bach ('I want you Bach')

Putting on wellies and stomping in puddles

Chucking some stuff out (eg turfing all the old junk floating around the kitchen sides)

Making an aromatherapy 'potion' of various essential oils and putting it in the diffuser

Having a ridiculous conversation with my pet

Going for a walk and taking photos of treetrunks or clouds

Watching episode 1 of black books

Watch The Beatles Video for Help. Like really watch it. It cracks me up.

a funny podcast, I bought earbuds on Amazon, a cheap brand but they are excellent for walks and pottering about the house.

It's understandable that your thoughts will turn to your loss. If you want moments of respite from the grief then remind yourself that your grieving isn't the only thing happening right now, and allow your mind to turn toward external things of beauty.

If you're open to it they're all around you. I had a most ridiculous one yesterday. I saw a shadow of a bird in flight. i looked up in the tree to see if was a plastic bag. It made me laugh, i watched the shadow for a bit, then i took the bag down and the movement and fresh air as well as doing something in accordance with my ethics and values were all a bonus!

Just to add to the guaranteed-giggle list, the 'shred' version of One Direction doing 'Story of My Life' never fails to have me helplessly crying with laughter: - or just Google One Direction shred if you're wary of links. Now I'm going to treat myself to watching it again - so thanks all round for this thread 🙂 (and solidarity with everyone needing it).

Simple stretching.

Chapter of a good escape book.

20 pieces of an ongoing jigsaw.

Planting a kitchen sill pot of herb seeds. And then awaiting rewards.

Now is a good time to plant tomato plant seeds. You can get outdoor varieties, once established tomato plants need a little bit of care to flourish.

So sorry to hear this

Yes to anything to do with animals. Even feeding birds, cheeky squirrels.

A squirt of favourite perfume. I find scents have a way of unlocking memories faster than anything.

Fresh air. There's a great app Go Jauntly. You put in how far you want to go and it works out s nice route. Takes me to different places and a bit of an explore

And when you can't face getting up - music, podcast (off menu is fun) or a old classic box set on the tv. Something you know and love and don't have to focus on.

Take care

Crying my eyes out at a sad movie (Marley and me) then having a relaxing bath and doing my hair. Deciding I can cry for the length of that movie but then I need to stop. Not sure why but it seems to help me, I need that release.
Then I look after myself, make myself look presentable and I’m ready to take on the world….sometimes 😳

Ones that help me are my listening to my favourite rock music on full blast (headphones) and dancing like no one's watching at home 😁, I've just got a bike and having a good cycle is a nice way to get outside and do a lap around, a walk in the rain, having a nice bath and spending a bit of time on myself helps me to de-stress. Your little one is about the same age as mine, and just seeing the joy that the simple things like jumping in a puddle can bring to them can help turn my thoughts in a more positive direction.

Definitely spend some of that time to plan for things you've always wanted to do and places you've always wanted to see.

Much love to you xx

@Ilooklikesusiedent

Thanks for the Pandacam!

Things that cheer me up - daft pets on youtube.
Talking to my friends

Went to the Ideal Home Exhibition with a friend. We had Pimms (not as nice as we make it!) and some ice cream. Well cheered me up!