After a few difficult years, along with lots of ongoing health issues, I am struggling with anxiety and depression. It has been fine all through the summer but now that the evenings are drawing in, it's dark and rainy and the kids are back at school I can feel anxiety and depression getting their claws back into me again.
I was wondering if people would like to share tips or things that help them in times like this. I've had counselling (both good and bad), CBT (which hasn't worked for me), EDMR for PTSD (which was really helpful but I still struggle) and can't take meds for various medical reasons. I'm more looking for lifestyle tips that have helped other people.
Things that help me are:
Putting out a yoga mat next to my bed at night so in the morning I can roll straight of bed and do some stretching rather than sit in bed doomscrolling on my phone.
Doing some painting by numbers with the TV or a audio book on in the background.
Going for a walk even if I'm tired and it's raining.
Starting a project at home eg sorting out a cupboard or doing some decorating. Although this can be hard when I'm feeling down and have no motivation.