How do you cheer yourselves up?

[RockLobster93]

Recently started antidepressants, though I've been awful at remembering to take them. I know there's no point unless you take them daily as instructed, I am working on that!

But just as a general- how do you ladies/guys cheer yourselves up when you're feeling really really down?
Seems as though I'll be okay- just a bit down but manageable- then all of a sudden BAM... I feel awful, can barely hold back tears, let alone concentrate on anything properly. I just want to curl up in bed and cry.
Which is impossible, I finish work at 5pm then start 2nd job at 6pm...just about enough time to pop home and see my LO.

All I have to do is think about how horrible so many people's lives are and how fortunate I really am. Life is hard for everybody on certain levels, but when I think of how horrifying things could be, it puts it all into perspective.

I think this might work for normal 'feeling a bit down' but not for clinical depression. When I go though a period where my depression is bad I feel incredibly guilty constantly about it because I feel like I 'shouldn't' be depressed. When I'm in that place expecting my depression to lift because some people live in war zones is like expecting a broken bone to heal by reminding the patient that some people have cancer.

I know going for a walk helps but I'm lazy. So if I do, I get a friend to come and we have a mini therapy session. Being sociable is the best thing for me but it's hard when depressed. If stuck at home I'll have a bath, keep the music light, read a good book or watch something online that I love. For me, reminding myself that the feeling will pass helps. And occasionally I endulge in my sadness and just cry (it helps after!!). Time for myself def helps. Hope things ease up for you soon OP.

Some great suggestions - I'd also recommend taking vitamin d and b complex, they'll kick in quicker than the ad's and will help you remember to take ad's if you take all at same time. I take mine at breakfast and then I have another ad and take my pill at bedtime which is a calmer time for me.

I use the reminder function on my phone.

But yes to watching/listening to/reading comedy, or cheerful music (I love absolute 80's).

Get in the sun/fresh air as much as poss, eat well, exercise (even a 5 min stretch routine can really help).

Keep on working at getting better. Nothing wrong with 'flat' when it's an improvement. That's still an improvement and an achievement - well done!

I also keep a diary and write 3 positives about my day.

Today's will be

Dd got shopping without moaning or needing nagged
My chest infection is getting better finally
Boyfriend seems less stressed (work stress)

Walking on the beach/by the sea. It doesn't matter what the weather, the sea air lifts my spirits so much, I can't explain. I've had depression three times in my life and all three times I was living in a "landlocked" area.

I look at Amazon and see if there are any books I like the sound of. Sometimes I watch a comedy I've saved on the planner. Like Porridge. It doesn't help working such long hours and hardly having time to yourself. Sometimes I read a book about depression and anxiety but not sure if they're really much help. Sometimes they are and sometimes not. Go out for a nice meal or even to a café for tea and cake.

I too take ADs but still get down times, I cheer myself up by:

Cuddling the cat
Playing loud dance music
Going to the gym
Sleeping
Chatting to a friend

But before I took ADs I would not have been able to go to the gym for example as I was too depressed- I feel that now, when I'm down, the meds 'lift' my mood - even when I feel the need to be upset often I can't cry, it's very strange!

I take an SNRI which is 300mg Venlafaxine MR.

Katedot I've had the same experience I mean I'm coastal now and still depressed but not as bad as when landlocked. There's apparently some research to support this, something to do with fresh ozone increasing oxygen supply to brain and this then increasing serotonin release? But yes I and others I know have had similar experiences.