What helps you instantly feel better?

[Coffeeehelps]

I'm depressed and stressed. I've contacted my GP. I'm on meds and I'll be re-refering for more therapy. I've just had something to eat. I've put on a load of laundry. I'm barely functioning right now though and on the verge of a full mental breakdown.

So, can I ask, what helps you instantly feel better when everything - even the little things - seems hopeless?

PJs on and large fluffy dressing gown, something familiar but funny on the telly, a spicy chicken curry followed by a large bar of dairy milk and a camomile tea. Works every time.

I like having a long bath fresh PJ's and netflix or a good book !!
I also if able a long brisk walk !! And natter with my dog 🐕
I also like getting my eyebrows done this is an instant pick me up !
Or even having a peaceful coffee laying on my bed !!
Hope u feel better soon OP 🌺 X X x

Going for a walk with the dogs.
Doing some birdwatching.
Doing some gardening.

Putting my phone away.
Putting music on.
Doing something from my to do list. This can be really small like clearing the top of my bedside table.
Going for a walk. At my worst times putting one foot in front of the other can be a real
effort but I try to force myself to at least go around the block.
A bath. Reading. Watching tv.

A cup of tea. A hot shower and actually shampooing my hair rather than just wetting it. Being outside, even standing by the back door helps. Flowers - I’d highly recommend the Tesco £3.50 tulips. Singing something. Maybe a little dance. A cathartic cry can be really helpful if I’m very tense or stressed, and I use music to help with that, especially if the dancing hasn’t worked. I hope you feel better soon.

Fresh air/exercise and sunshine (if you can find the latter!)

adding essays to my journal about different topics, in theory i dont need a computer to write in it, just a pen and paper and it gives me enjoyment to add too and write about different subjects

that and a cuppa tea

A bottle of chilled full sugar coke
Weight training
Clean sheets
Clean home
Watching reruns of ‘ Keeping Up Appearances

It really is overwhelming when you cannot see the woods for the trees 😔
I have finally worked it out that hunger makes me feel worse.
So make a tasty snack ,tidy up your immediate surroundings,a short walk when you can and treat yourself to a few bunches of Daffodils 🌼 X

I nearly started tge exact same thread OP. Hugs to you. Xx

for me I like to have a holiday to look forward to. Researching, budgeting, looking at you tube videos about destinations. But I am also very close to a breakdown and finding it hard to find any pleasure. Xx

@BrickPosterThank you for reminding me how just doing something with your hands can be so therapeutic. Everyone’s suggestions are so helpful.

A short tai chi or yoga session- even 5-10 minutes can help you reset. Lots of videos you can follow on Youtube and you can add feelings as a search term (uplifting, calming etc).

I think some of the things suggested can feel overwhelming when your nervous system is all over the place.
For example, don’t go for a walk, just step outside and breathe for one minute.
An oldie but a goodie, long exhale breathing ( inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4 ), put both feet flat on the floor, name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear. This tells your nervous system you’re safe, there’s no danger.
Also, listen to theta meditation for 10 minutes on YouTube. You can silence your mind, or even better, imagine the version of yourself you want to be. This is a bit woo perhaps, but effective. I hope these ideas help x

Might writing stuff down help you, OP? I find writing stuff gets it out of my head and once its down on paper its weirdly like I don't think about it any more.
I also go for a run, bake a cake, cuddle the dog and watch something absorbing enough to stop my thoughts overrunning but not so complicated that I have to concentrate on it (I used to obsessively watch Come Dine With Me repeats!)

• a bath
• watching something feel good
• listening to an audio book whilst gaming (gaming is frowned upon on here but I really love this combination)
• chatting to my mum on the phone

If I am feeling productive there are other more demanding things I enjoy doing but when I can't do those things, something from the above list does the trick.

Box breathing. Also open a window.

Opening the freezer and standing in the chill for a minute. Snaps the nervous system back in place for me.

Fancy chamomile tea.

Pedicures.

A minty face mask - lush do amazing ones.

Fresh air, even just stepping outside for a minute.

Hugs.

Blanket cocoons.

A nap
Fresh air
A walk
A bath or shower (candle lit and classical music)
Visiting my daughter’s grave
Playing with the dogs or cat
A hot chocolate and a biscuit
Baking
Moving furniture or decor around
Colouring in

Long hot soak in the bath whilst listening to something on Youtube on my phone In the background

Sunshine

Definitely agree with this

Fresh bedding
A shower and feeling clean
Drying my hair with a hairdryer
A cup of tea
A walk or a wander in the garden

Hope you feel better soon.

I have just tidied my bedroom it was such a guddle but it took me 20 minutes to tidy and dust, it really has perked me up, and i feel a bit brighter. You are struggiling with mental illness so a tidy space might help, also a nap if you can might give you a bit more energy for the rest of the day.

Turning off the main road and driving the mile up the single track lane to my cottage in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields and green open space, opening the door and feeling my house wrap its arms around me, hug me and make me feel welcome into my own private space and sanctuary. Followed by a cup of tea and a small handful of biscuits!

S.orry you feel awful.
Boiling hot bath with expensive (ish) bath shit.
Hot cup of tea and a biscuit
Literally telling myself i am safe and i will look after me. And sort of hugging myself, stroking my own hand, saying what i need to hear
Music - favourite song
Apply nice lipstick and perfume.