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?

I suffer really badly with depression and am on antidepressants (finally agreed to take them as I was suicidal and had attempted suicide not long before) and although they only make me feel "in control", I'm glad I take them.
I still get really low though and I find that sitting down and actually telling myself that I'm taking some time-out for me-time (so acknowledging it) and having a cup of tea in my favourite cup and reading a chapter of a book helps to reset my mood a bit.
I also try to reward myself with something I really enjoy once a week - something simple like a self-pampering session - hot shower, good hairwashing and conditioning session, doing my nails, then putting on pristine pyjamas and climbing into a pristine bed and watching a movie with some sort of treat (for me it's a horror movie and a glass of Malbec but obviously because alcohol is a depressant, I keep it as a glass on a Friday night).

Sending you a hug though as feeling low and depressed is something that I would never wish on anyone.

Carrying on makes me feel better. If I wake up and feel overwhelmed and like I want to get back into bed, I write myself a list and just focus on one thing at a time and make sure I just keep moving forward even if it's at a slow pace.

Sometimes I just sit in the shower and have an absolute meltdown (even better if you manage to get a hair mask in before you start). Doesn't seem productive, but actually the self care element is quite impactful, and leaving feeling clean and emotionally refreshed can be really motivating.

Listening to the birds singing

Music. And bopping along to it. 80s, dance, big beats. Anything that makes me get up and dance. Also exercise. After about 20 mins of moderate exercise the happy hormones kick in and I feel lifted

Writing down something positive that you've done or seen. It might be sorting out a drawer, seeing a bird singing through the window, going for a 5 minute walk & seeing the spring blossom. Drinking a lovely cup of tea. Washing your hair for the first time in a while. Putting on hand cream and appreciating the smell. Write it down, any paper will do but consider getting a beautiful notebook when you can.

Writing it down means you have a record of all the small (and hopefully soon big) positive things in your life.

Sounds silly (and is probably more for "physical" illness) but my answer is a glass of water.

It's my first port of call when I'm tired, have brain fog etc as well as if any of us actually feel poorly.

It's my answer to every ailment and sickness.

In all seriousness it's very easy to forget to drink enough in general as well as in times of stress and worry.

Cannabis...

A walk around my garden always makes me feel a lot better.
Getting lost in a good book
Looking at pictures of my grandchildren
A long, very hot bath
Going through my wardrobe to appreciate some of my favourite clothes
Buying a special item of clothing
One thing I used to do a lot was to go for a drive in the countryside, but I'm now not keen on driving as I feel nervous due to getting older and the state of the roads currently
Watching the birds from our kitchen window
Texting my daughter

A funny or interesting podcast, radio show or audio book, to listen to whilst cooking. Particularly when cooking something like lasagne or risotto that involves simple activities like lot of chopping and stirring without being overly demanding, but produces something very comforting to eat

Same. And sunshine.

Wearing something beautiful.
don’t dress for feeling rubbish

Cuddling my Spaniels. Emotional support for me all of the time. Watching and hearing birds in the garden. Doing my daily online word puzzles.
Hope you find some glimmers of comfort in the small things soon.

Being outside- even if it’s just putting my head out of the window. Drinking water with a million ice cubes in it with a straw.

A walk - even just round the block.

If I cant do that - then opening windows to aerate my space.

Clean teeth/face/hair, clothes, towels, bedding. - 100% agree with this from
PP

Soothing background music or a podcast on while I tidy up / spread bed etc

Very hot shower.

Knowing what is for dinner - even if it’s a ready meal. Just knowing what I will eat later helps my brain calm down.

Spritz of perfume after shower even if not going anywhere.

If particularly anxious, a guided meditation from YouTube.

Reading a book or listening to a podcast.

For me it’s gardening or walking round my garden see what’s popping up cleaning some old stuff to make way for the new shoots.
short bursts but it makes me look forward to sitting in my garden with my pretty flowers.
think I’m sad 😆

Walking or cuddles with my gorgeous dog

Fresh air - go outside if you can,open windows if you can't

Water - drink some, have a shower, splash your face, go for a swim

Greenery - look for plants / trees / flowers / grass, get out in nature, walk in the park or woods, stand in your garden

Do a bit of housework - plump cushions, mop a floor, hoover, tidy a drawer, put stuff away- it'll help you feel on top of things

A cup of tea

Forgot to add gratitude. Sounds cheesy and may be hard when you're anxious / depressed but every day (I usually do it at night in bed) write down - or just think / say out loud - 3 things that have been good about the day. It can be the smallest thing like my cup of tea was refreshing, my shower was hot, I did a load of washing so now have clean clothes etc. Helps put things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you do have. Good luck OP.

This. Especially if the weather is cold. The frostier the better.

A shower always works for me.

When I'm in the pits of depression I focus on:

Sleep
Eat - small, healthy options but I do have a treat
Hydrate - water and tea
Being clean - shower, teeth,brush hair, moisturise

Then I start going outside..not even for a walk but sitting outside just for Minutes...then later Minutes.

I read a lot in depression episodes. Can't do music or TV.

Doing the Shibashi chi gong routine.
Shibashi is Chinese for 18 and there are 18 movements to it. All very flowing. It’s not hard to learn at all and easy to find online. It’s beautiful and has helped me tremendously. I was waiting for a potentially dreadful health diagnosis last year and it saved me. I’d stopped eating as so overwhelmed by anxiety and was barely functional with the day to day, but I was able to do this and it calmed things down enough for me to take one step, then another. I did it when I got up and at another time in the day when I started to feel I was unraveling. I’m not good at seated meditation and really need to be moving. This was my answer. Sending you strength!

Laughing. Even if you're pretending to laugh it's supposed to release something.

Watching a lighthearted comedy.

Dark chocolate with all its lovely feel good chemicals.

Telling yourself, you're warm, you're safe, you're fed.

Most of the above!

A few more I've thought of

lighting a nice scented candle

looking at the moon and stars...makes me feel small and insignificant in a good way

reading a history book...again makes me feel like a tiny part of everything and a reminder that everything will be history one day.

Hope you feel better soon.