Tips for surviving difficult times

[Chaostheory12]

I wonder how people navigate stressful challenging times when things feel absolutely too much . What do you do to help your mental and physical health? I don't mean spas and holidays or having your nails done.
Mine has always been walking ,
preferably in the countryside, and nature. Apart from that, I am floundering.

Praying. Wishing you strength.

Sorry you’re going through a hard time. I think prioritising things that are good for you will help. If I eat nourishing foods and get plenty of sleep I find things feel more manageable than when I stay up late, eat crap and drink alcohol (tempting though all of those things are in hard times). You’re already exercising which is also another go to of mine. When things get stressful I really increase the exercise which helps.

Walking, running, getting outside.

doing some guided mindfulness meditations or yoga by following YouTube videos (just short up to 10 mins ones).

taking a few minutes to breathe slowly in through my nose and out my mouth to the count of 10. Surprisingly how much better you can feel doing this half a dozen or so times.

starting a notebook and writing down 3 good things about my day - every day without fail no matter how back my day was. Sometimes it would just be the weather, my nice sandwich at lunch or someone smiling at me. Other days much bigger things. Definitely got me more in the habit of banking the little wins.

Oh and also sometimes just finding a mindless job to do eg I painted the bannisters on the stairs - a job that needed a bit of concentration to take my mind off things but not so much that I had to actually use my brain

Ordinarily I would agree with getting out and walking in nature. That usually sets me right. Unfortunately I am waiting for a hip replacement and countryside walking (or any decent walking) is off the table.

I agree journaling can be helpful.

I like jigsaws. They take me right out of where I am mentally and focusing on just the next piece of the puzzle.

Hope all is well OP.

Walking for me also. Alone but with the dog. I had to make myself do it every day when I was in a deep grief state following the loss of our baby girl at 21 weeks. It worked.

Cooking good food while listening to music has always helped me. Favourite music on and get boogying in that kitchen! I have always had a thing for decorating in the most difficult times. So a little project for you to focus on that will have a rewarding end.

Being outside, countryside, beach or garden. Either working, walking or just leaning on a gate looking at a view.

Gratitude journal.

Nourishing my body with good food, exercise and fresh air.

Nourishing my mind with good books and entertainment. I stay away from dramas and news.

Connecting with friends. Having things to look forward to - booking in get togethers with people that make me feel good.

Running, being outside in the fields & woods, cooking comfort food, gardening

I've had cancer and at times get overwhelming fear of it coming back. My counsellor suggested using the phrase "I am safe right now," which 99% of the time is true. Then I do box breathing. This helps in the midst of an immediate panic. General overwhelm I tend to deliberately tell myself what I am going to stop doing e.g. tonight I won't do the dishes as I need an early night. It makes me feel like it was my choice rather than I couldn't cope with everything. Yes whatever I skipped is still there later on but energy ebbs and flows so you might cope better later on. I hope you are ok.

Like you op, I spend time in nature. I walk outside whatever the weather, for at least an hour everyday. I also strength train. There is something about lifting heavy things that calms me. I follow Sydney Cummings, she’s free on YouTube.
I also try and eat well. I avoid UPF and alcohol and try to eat the things I need to sustain me. I also remind myself that I’ve survived 100% of my shit times so far. And I will survive this. The anxiety, stress and overwhelm I feel are information, they are feelings, not facts and they will pass, eventually.

I also find being outside helps, walking or gardening. Or going for a walk near water I walk by the river fairly often.

Listening to music is also very therapeutic for me. Loud so I can sing along badly. Certain artist/ albums help me more than others. When I'm driving, or in the house though not while I'm outside I like to hear my surroundings.

Definitely getting out in nature. Usually that’s a walk with the dog. Running, feel like this is very cathartic as it’s kind of like mindfulness as I’m just focused on what I’m doing. I’ve journaled at times, sometimes just getting it all down on paper seems to help. I remind myself that I only really have the present, this moment and that right now I’m fine, this reminds my brain to focus on the here and now and not to worry about the future.

Every day is a New Day, so things will get better. I am so sorry you feel overwhelmed. Yes, I have been there. I have a diary, I bought a parker fountain pen like I used at school. I write my journal everyday. It's then hidden away. I walk 4 miles most mornings and see things quietly. Be gentle, you have been so much.

I push myself to do things if I can, like get out the house, go wander round shops etc I find it hard as usually I become a recluse.

Stay in the present- you live here. Don’t think about the future right now.
Living in the future brings anxiety.

Box breathing

meditation with red light

gratitude- I tell myself and say out loud what’s great in my life and what I am thankful for

Sorry to hear you are in this, it will pass as everything does.

Lots of mine have already been mentioned: walking, jigsaws, seeing friends or if circumstances make that impossible at least message them.

Last year I went through a horrific time that lasted about 4 months. I had a bit of a mantra where I kept telling myself "I am coping - everyone is fed and clean, anyone who needs to be at school or work is, and that is enough for now". It can be helpful to remember that you are indeed putting one foot in front of the other. You do not have to feel ok about it, just keep going.

As other people have said…walking and getting as much fresh air and daylight as possible, staying away from alcohol unless it’s out of the house and social (and then only a glass). Cooking hearty, nourishing food and not buying junk. Anything that means I’m facing things without being dragged further down.

Trying to talk to upbeat people, not the kind that minimise things but also not people who greet everything with sad faces, and overwhelmingly sympathetic tones - this is very personal though as for some people that may be soothing.

I am severely disabled with a lot of health issues that could potentially end my life at any time. I enjoy scrolling through Mumsnet and Instagram. My cat. Reading the news. Watching true crime stuff (weirdly the more shocking it is the more I forget about my own issues). Etc. I can’t really exercise or do the “normal” stuff other people tend to do as my physical self is limited.

Routine.
When I had a broken heart, I got my first.cat to have something else to look after.
When I was bereaved (baby loss 3rd trimester), I had to keep going for ds.

Get up, shower, hair, make-up, get through the jobs on auto, fulfil responsibilities to others. DS had been baptised and we had been attending church about once a month - I found faith and a kindly community very helpful.

Do you listen to audiobooks? I get mine free from the library. If you can get into a good book locking into it can be a fantastic distress. A hike in the hills or country listening to a great book is double the healing for me.

De stress!