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?

Is the cottage fairy posting again? I used to watch her with my daughter when she was very down, she says it helped her. Now I’m the one down ( said daughter passed away) so I’m going to watch her again, thank you 🙏

Singing. In the shower, when washing up, wherever. Regulates your breathing and stimulates the vagus nerve, which promotes relaxation. Choice of song to reflect your mood- I like Self Esteem's Focus is Power, or Whitney One Moment in Time and also sometimes Fuck You by Lily Allen. Or hum if you don't want to sing.

A shower - even if I don't feel like having one....it really helps.

Theres no one size fits all to make someon feel better and the things that work for me wo t work for everyone.
My suggestions are mainly repeats but for a few days I immediately make my bed open bedroom window ( ok there ha e been a few exceptions to this one recently)
Drink.a pint of water before I have a coffee.
March on the spot before I leave the bedroom.
Shower and make up on ( even if its just tint)
Eat well during the day
Do some sort of exercise.
Do some thing I normally enjoy doing
Talk to a friend
Go to bed early.
Sometimes I dont achieve everything but I work up to it.
If I dont do it all I have learned to think,'well ive done something! Ill try and add to it tomorrow.
When i do accomplish everything, I think, I'll try and do that again tomorrow!

You need to find little rituals that are achievable and make you happy.

A shower with lovely fragrant shower gel then a fresh bed. Lately, I've found knitting helps with mindfulness, focusing on a pattern keeps my mind from wandering or a jigsaw.

Staying in bed, without guilt not shame, and binge watching international made-for-tv movies.

My current favourites:

• swedish crime movies (Netflix)
• Korean dramas (most platforms, I prefer crime but I love the Joseon and 'slice of life' dramas too)

-french crime movies (Disney+)

International escapism from a different angle I guess. Love it

Same boat OP, anxious and stressed, already in therapy.

the things that make me feel better are the things that I’m often not motivated to do while feeling shite. So it take a lot of effort on my behalf.

Getting fresh air, even if it means sitting in the garden or standing by the front door.

tidying something that’s bothering me, often I need to wash dishes and wipe the counter but I can’t be arsed, but knowing it needs to be done really gets me down.. if I just bite the bullet and get it done (literally only 5 minutes of my time too) I feel miles better.

A cold shower, start with a warm one, then I dial the temperature back a little by little until it’s as cold as I can stand. I feel so much perkier after a cold shower, feeling it on my scalp instantly gives me so much relief.

I’m sorry you feel so unwell and there are some good suggestions from posters.
when I went through something similar I found HALT did help - try to avoid Hunger, Anger, Loneliness and Tiredness.
I hope things get better for you soon.

Walking. Pets. A nice chawan of matcha, accompanied by burning an incense stick bought during travels and taking a bloody minute to just be. (Or try to). To transit back to travelling, back to nice times. And looking forward to treats planned in future.

I push myself through some days using the punctuations of music, art, podcasts. Phonecalls with good friends (I force myself to even if I feel unsociable and 99% of the time it helps). It all sounds so first world but I absolutely identify with the abyss being just below.

Yes, definitely x

I am going to nick that !!! Hilarious and brilliant !!!!