What makes you feel alive?

[rosetulipdaisy]

I am trying to recover from depression. Recently I have been feeling very flat and numb. I can't remember what activities I like to do, what things get me in tune with feeling something or feeling alive. Either positive emotion or negative. Looking for suggestions please - what helps you?

Singing. And lifting weights. And work 😀

Riding my bike. Never come back from a bike ride in a bad mood. Great mood lifter.

Running in the cold or in the rain/wind. Going to the beach and feeling small at the sight of the sea and hearing the waves. Doing things that terrify me like galloping and jumping on my horse, i feel like death is imminent but my heart races and I feel alive!!

Going for a sea swim
Although might be best to wait a few months until it warms up for that!

Dancing ti awesome music

The gym for me. Lifting weights has replaced the high I felt from years of self harm. I know that sounds a bit sadistic but it works for me 😅

I also walk out of there feeling like I can take on the world.

Music, walking in nature, holidays, seeing a friend for a coffee or lunch

Playing tennis. Whack whack whacking that ball really hard. I love it!
Riding my bike.
Walking my dog.
Being startled by art.

Having a shower - and then turning the setting to cold.
Originally, it was to give my newly washed hair a blast of cold water, but then instead of thinking of it as a necessary evil, I found it really invigorating. It feels like tingly contained elation.

Inclement weather
getting muddy
sun rises
Finding things.

I love all these lists. These lists make me happy too as it turns out, something about the potential they hold I think. I needed reminding of these.❤

Cold Water swimming. There's a mental health charity that runs groups.

events.more-human.co.uk/whatson2/1646318219859x922456415401410600

My first thought…. Driving in a convertible topless ( both you and the car ). Might be a bit cold at the moment though

Swimming!!…. it’s absolutely amazing all round, feel good exercise. You go at any god damn pace you like, you get to know new people also enjoying the same activity and that feeling of the endorphins afterwards …. Amazing, like no exercise I’ve ever tried before! I don’t mind the weight loss and toning it’s contributed to either. ;) But the main pull for me is what it does for my mental health. I’ve been through a lot in terms of mental health and this genuinely genuinely helps.

Oh and a well earned treat always tastes better than just indulging because you want to. Trust me.

This is a lovely thread.
I completely get the connecting to animals people have mentioned. My son recently acquired two little pets and I had forgotten that warm fuzzy feeling having pets brings. I love having them around and it's great to see DS feeling happy.
In summer I like to visit beautiful gardens that are full of different types of flowers and landscaping.
Singing
Dancing (curtains closed, good music on and just be a bit silly or have fun), I even do it when I'm circuit training at home if I like a song
Exercise
Watching TV in bed

Choir!
Has helped me when my mental health has been rubbish and is equally great when I’m feeling good!

Nature. Sunrises and sunsets always remind me that the days pass, and a new one always comes.
Take care of yourself op, I hope you find some little pleasures to help you

Same for me, always feel better afterwards but definitely lifts my mood.

Live music

A cause to really believe in. Something that makes me think. Something to fight for.

Parkrun. Running or volunteering. It's like taking a long shower in happiness. Nothing beats it.

I cycle to and from work. On my way home, I take a detour through some fields that get deliberately flooded during the winter months. There are thousands of geese spending the winter here in my area (I am in Germany) and they spend the night on the water here in order to be safe from foxes and the occasional wolf.
Cycling through these fields, taking in the sights and sounds from the chatting geese always makes me feel alive but also calm me down after a stressful day at work.

Aww ❤️🥰

Wow. The sea is a powerful force.

I wanted a program once on migraines, swimming in the sea can really help a chronic sufferer.

For me:
walking in the rain on a warm day with umbrella!
listening to rain while cosy in bed
deep tissue massage
swimming in a nice pool
Shakti mat
acupuncture
dance
warrior pose - yoga
a really good meal, preferably in France!

hope this thread helps