How do you sustain a good mood through these times?

[Sundiamond]

I feel grateful that we are well and working. Every day I am thankful for this. I know how much worse things can be.

But I still feel low. I work at home, and despite dog walking and exercise and eating/sleeping well, I feel really low.

I wondered what things other people did to keep their spirits up? It just feels dark and relentless at the moment. And the loom of such an incompetent Brexit, spelling disaster for so many, fills me with horror.

Basically trying to enjoy it as a break

Go for a run,
plan something lovely for supper,
browse online for another Xmas present for ds
practise karate or yoga,
phone someone for a chat,
Daydream my way through next year's options for summer holidays

I’m taking each day as it comes. Which sounds trite, but it’s actually lovely and calming when you do it. Two ways:

1. When I think about Brexit I remind myself that we are still in the EU today, and nothing has gone wrong —yet— and that I’ll react to it when it does.

1. I rewatched Gone With The Wind the other week, and have been following Scarlet’s motto of “I won’t think about that now, I’ll think about that tomorrow.” It’s REALLY helpful!

Oh, and I discovered Erkhart Toll in the first Lockdown and he is amazing at all of this. Listen to him on Audible, even his voice is really soothing.

Also isolating due to contact with positive case so following this with interest.

Currently doing the following: Baking, speaking to friends, watching feel good TV, exercising (even a walk or run on the treadmill with some upbeat music).

I see it as an opportunity to spend lots of time with my family and slow down for a bit. Read lots of books and lots of good quality sleep.

I'm finding it really hard atm and had a bit of a cry yesterday. Feeling really low and lonely. DP and I haven't much to talk about, same old news etc. Trying to keep upbeat for my DD. Trying to look forward to Xmas but not really feeling any positiveness.

I'm eating - way too much, and lots of sugar. It literally feels like the only pleasurable thing in life at the moment even though I know it's not good for me. On the upside, I'm not drinking.

Reading.
Exercise that gets me sweaty (I normally swim).
Talking to friends.
I try to go for a walk with a friend once a week.
My cat. She’s currently sprawled out on my legs.
Focusing more on my health. I didn’t during the first lockdown.

agree with many PP about cutting back on the booze not increasing it!! I listed to hypnotherapy audios, they really work for some people and there’s really good anxiety ones out there. Try and look at it as your proper indulgent “me time”.
Easier than meditation in my opinion cause it’s someone else doing all the work!

And turn off your phone/no news for a bit everyday

We’ve got an open fire. After not using it for years, I had the chimney swept and we now have a fire in the evenings several times a week. It’s very cheerful and cosy and puts me in a better mood. Somehow staring at the flickering flames makes you feel that everything will be ok.

I'm finding it really hard atm and had a bit of a cry yesterday. Feeling really low and lonely.

Just remember that there’s only a couple more weeks to go - then you can see people again! There’s no way on earth the government would extend lockdown over Christmas (and if they did, millions will break the rules anyway).

I'm meeting people for the permitted walks. One if us will pick up a take away coffee and we'll have a catch up as we walk. It's helping me and my friends, we try to mix up who we see.
Most of us teach so need something to distract but are limited on daylight hours.
Long, hot baths, reading, cooking different dishes, watching movies with my teens, taking small pleasures.
I also run, but that's not everyone's idea of fun.

It is ok to be low and not enjoy this time, sometimes I just have to recognise that and not try and find the joy in everything. I find I am the positive one out of my family and also with my work colleagues and its very draining. I have a couple of friends who initiate fun/creative things and they are a lifesaver so I don't feel it is all on me.

I’m struggling with the long dark evenings too this time. Normally I can embrace the winter coziness but this year it’s a struggle.
Do something totally different. Dedicate some time to doing a course or learning something new.
I followed a YouTube art tutorial and painted a lovely forest painting, which gave me a boost.
Comedy, books (easy reading at that moment for me) and regular contact with friends helps too.

Running
Low carb
Dc are good as in good moods
Reading (although I do get distracted)
A good Netflix episode each night
Meet a friend outside
Starting walking a dog
Daily light WhatsApp chats

Tbh if that vaccine news hadn’t come I don’t know where I’d be. I needed that way out and don’t think anything else would have given it.

Oh and being creative in time I have alone

@MacbookHo Err hate to tell you this but we have already left the EU!

@thelegohooverer That was a fab post!

OP, it's ok to feel low about all this. There's so much pressure to be happy all the time, but this has been a weird year and most people are struggling with it. You shouldn't expect yourself to be 'fine' or feel the same as in other years.

@MrsGrindah- I’m embarrassed to admit, I didn’t know that. I thought we were leaving on 31st Dec. Shit, that’s completely ruined my mood! goes back to bed, crying

I'm struggling bad OP but a couple of things I've done recently is:

Imagine how amazing it will be the day that you realise life is normal again. Like proper normal, no masks, no fear of germs etc

I also started a list of things I'd like to do next year when it's allowed again. For example, meals out with friends, summer BBQs, holidays etc

There's also a positive news thread on here that I often read through which helps, will see if I can post it...

Good News Thread - part 2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4051836-Good-News-Thread-part-2

Its hard, but I find I can get through it because I'm 100% certain most of it will be over by late spring / early summer (I was always pretty certain of that, vaccine or not - people aren't designed to live like this longterm). I actually think 2021 could end up being a real fun lively year because EVERYONE will want to be out & going on hols & enjoying themselves

Oh and sounds odd but.... I try not to watch / read any news after about 5pm because it just gets me down for the evening and the 5pm press conferences are always when they announce the latest misery

@SomewhereEast

Its hard, but I find I can get through it because I'm 100% certain most of it will be over by late spring / early summer (I was always pretty certain of that, vaccine or not - people aren't designed to live like this longterm). I actually think 2021 could end up being a real fun lively year because EVERYONE will want to be out & going on hols & enjoying themselves

I would love to look forward to going out and holidays but even when its possible, I won't have any money so I really struggle with people saying this to be cheering, it has the opposite effect on me