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?

Reading. It’s an escape to somewhere else.

The girl’s name Jilly Cooper books. Prudence and Harriet specifically to kick off. Escapist, cheerful low stakes stories.

Sit outside in the sunshine with a cup of tea/coffee. Strong sunlight reaching the back of your eyes is proven to lift mood.

Watch 'The Cottage Fairy' on YouTube. Beautifully soothing little edits about her quiet life owning a little book store in the Pacific North West. She had a nervous breakdown a few years ago and talks very reassuringly and sensibly about the tiny steps she took to recover.

Look up the TIPP skill from DBT. Or freezing cold water dip.

Shower and clean pyjamas. Every time.

20-30 minutes completely on my own.

I do a lot of the things already mentioned.
I can recommend any audiobook read by monty don, his voice is instantly calming. I use these if I'm struggling to sleep.
I've a few more to add, they are a bit random perhaps but you did ask 😁

1. I listen to belters while hoovering. Think Queen, Dolly, Donna Summer, Pink, Taylor S, Miley Cyrus. As long as it's upbeat and powerful it makes it onto the playlist. The floor might not even need hoovering but there's something about it, idk, the repetitive movement or feeling productive. No idea. And the music has to be through headphones, directly into my head. Mopping the floor works too, but I prefer hoovering.
2. Music again. Same playlist full of belters through headphones. But I stand with arms out, like a T shape, or up overhead. Chest up and out, feet about shoulder width apart. And I stand and breathe and sing along in my head, and sometimes out loud too. And it hurts sometimes, between my shoulder blades because I think I hunch when I'm struggling. So I stand there until the pain has eased. Sometimes I sway.
3. I nest. Get in bed, surrounded by pillows, duvet over top, colour changing light on in a dark room. Very very soft music, classical usually, no words, or that spa music. And I just lie there and appreciate the soft quiet warm space. If I could afford it I'd get one of those galaxy projectors.
4. I make lists. Things that I can do, small things, things that are in my head. I often don't do anything with the lists but making them helps.

Sending hugs.

Shower, facial oil or my thick Bobbi Brown moisturiser. Clean pyjamas. Early night. Start again tomorrow.

I have a 5ft long smoking Victorian pipe. I'm no longer a cigarette smoker but ever so often I will smoke my pipe. There's a old tobacconist I visit when in London and I always stock up when passing. I use a few drops of rum to keep the mix moist and I have to say it's a fantastic feeling. I normally spend 40 minutes to an hour pondering the world and going deep into my thoughts per session with my eyes glazed over

I do anything that’s within my control to feel better. I work out (15 min YouTube video would do it) and make time to walk every day, clearing even one section of a room, speak to a close friend. I know there’s things out of my control but if I focus on what I can control it makes the rest seem less bleak.

Vagus nerve exercises

Walking
cold Diet Coke

A mint tea
Fizzy water
Cat cuddles

Hot bath, candle light, some lovely bath salts or bomb, relaxing spa music, read a good book and slowly turn into a prune.

Foot mask. Give your tootsies a treat as they deserve it.

I have some trays of seedlings on my kitchen window sill and I go and check on them multiple times a day.
The little tiny plants popping up just give me the most satisfying joy. I’m so pleased every time new ones appear. Magic.

Being outside in the garden

A walk
schitts creek on repeat

Try MegaBed! Stupid term I coined to mean a full change of bed linen, new clean pyjamas (whatever your nightwear as long as it's clean and comfy), have a a shower or bath then early night into the clean bed. No phone on bed, just some music on a radio, (radio 3 unwind is an excellent station).
Could add hot water bottle or electric blanket, and pain relief last thing too. It's amazing how often under stress I miss the fact I'm in pain (usually headache and lower back.pain) good luck OP.

This is pure genius x

My 'at home' things include...

A bubble bath
DIY manicure or pedicure
Applying moisturiser and perfume

Toast and banana, peanut butter or jam
Fresh coffee
Fruit or a homemade smoothie
A glass of ice cold water
Fruit or herbal tea

Reading a chapter of a book
Fresh bedding, cosy PJs and an early night
A phone call or catch up with a friend
Opening the windows and airing the house
Being barefoot
Topping up the birdfeeders
Watching the birds visit the feeders and nest boxes
Watering house plants and tending to them.

I do a thing where I think about a place I have visited that was very relaxing and concentrate on how it felt to be there, the smells, the sounds and I feel better. A counselor recommended it to me, she initially suggested a beach but that isn't my relaxing place

2 km swim, 5 km run, orgasms, hot bath, fresh bed linen, a clean/tidy house, my favourite new york times spicy spaghetti, gardening, CBD.

A few years ago, I would have written the same, but the fields in which I used to walk are now covered in houses and flats. My local woods have also been hacked down and replaced with housing estates. Instead of birdsong, I’m now woken by souped up cars that screech and backfire.

Modern life is pushing us to the brink OP. Too many people, too many cars, too many houses, too much noise, too many flashing screens, and not enough space or silence or time. I sometimes feel like I’m being squeezed. I try and avoid nostalgia, but life was definitely better in the 1990s.

One of the few things that makes me happy is laying in bed listening to Stephen Fry read P. G. Wodehouse or Sherlock Holmes or Oscar Wilde.

I agree, nothing is the same now. Even the sodding milk man/diary company my neighbours have comes all times between 11pm and 3am. Clanking and clattering, radio blasting, idylling engine (no idea what the hell he does as only delivers to two houses), yet still manages to wake the whole area up.

I do not remember this happening in the 90s, pretty sure it was a respectful 5am drop off, with milk still actually fresh in the morning.