This walk makes such a difference to how I feel

[Theresbeautyallaround]

Every other night (alternate with Dh going Dds bedtime) I take our dog out for a walk on my own at sunset, around the block..lovely houses, people out enjoying themselves on these summer evenings. It’s only a 20-30 minute stroll, but it makes a huge difference to how I feel and just makes me happy.
Such a small thing…what other little, feel good things help others?
Mine are almost always connected to nature, a beautiful sunset, early morning after sunrise, walking in the woods, the beach and the sea, beautiful flowers. But I also love the first cup of coffee, the bit just before my Dd falls asleep, laughing and connecting with a friend who gets you, good food and drink.
Not trying to be cheesy, I suffer depression sometimes and I can tell I’m starting to get better when I focus on and appreciate the v v small things

*Doing Dds bedtime

Growing things!
Here is today's lunch..
Home grown lettuce, rocket and radish! You really don't need much space or money!
I also have peppers, watermelon, and other veg growing strong..

Love this 💜💜💜

This sounds lovely and being aware of the little things around you that make you happy is really important I think. Thanks for sharing.

Walks do it for me too. I'll never forget the first walk I took after healing from my 2nd csec. Through a field of golden corn, warm August day, blue skies and it felt magical.

When I have the time, there's a route I do near my home, where the.path opens up onto the most beautiful scenery. I could sit and watch for hours.

Also, sliding my dry hair under the water in the bath and feeling the air bubbles running along my scalp.

Getting a pb in a big lift at the gym.

Yep a walk for me too. Especially near WATER, a river or a lake or the sea. Just love seeing water in nature.

@MyView2 I really think it’s key, for me at least anyway. I can forget at times and think everything is crap, but there’s always something there to remind you. Dh isn’t like this, doesn’t seem to see and appreciate, I don’t see how people can be like that

How lovely!

For me it's also walking. I live near a beautiful river and weir and love walking g and just watching it.

Mine is walking too, anywhere out in nature helps life my soul.

@ThisIsTrifficult So nice 💜

what other little, feel good things help others?

My morning training session, especially the few minutes at the end, when I'm out of breath & feel my muscles.

I go at 6 am & don't always sleep well so is hard to get up sometimes but by 7 I feel amazing.

@Seasideanticscanleadtosandybuckets Love that! We attempt to grow herbs and tomatoes etc, we have a few but need to try harder 😂I also love the garden, planting things and flowers etc..it’s nearly always down to nature abc the outdoors isn’t it

*And

I live in the heart of suburbia but my 20 minute walk to work includes a leafy lane which feels like it's a million miles away. Sometimes I'll see squirrels or foxes or even deer. There's quite often a friendly cat. One house has chickens and goats in their paddock.

I love this walk, whatever the weather (apart from snow and ice). It's like a mind cleanser and it sets me up for the day.

I love walking in nature also but even better is swimming in the sea or a river. It sometimes actually makes me euphoric.

I love walking in nature also but even better is swimming in the sea or a river. It sometimes actually makes me euphoric.

Yes walks in nature work for me too.

Sometimes I'm driving and pull over to appreciate a pretty view.

Also sitting inside with rain drilling against the windows.

Sliding into a clean bed after a long bath.

That sounds lovely op, I'm much the same, i love a walk in amongst the trees too.

Walking alone always feels like quite a melancholy activity to me.

On the other hand...driving on my own singing my absolute heart out will do it every time.

What a lovely thread! I too have struggled with anxiety & depression and I've realised that getting out into nature is the best thing for me. Last year I finally got a dog so I'd have a reason to get out every day, and she is honestly the best thing to have happened to me. I love watching her run around a field or swim in a loch with her tail wagging and her nose to the ground, it makes my heart sing to see her so happy :)

Cut flowers from the garden. I stopped buying cut flowers for environmental reasons but now I can grow my own I just love them.

Also a bath always helps me.

Being in woodland....the smells of pine and nature ahhhhhhh!

Lovely thread OP. Like you I have depressive episodes and getting outside always makes feel feel better to some extent. I've been taking part in the big Butterfly count and its really lifted my spirits, especially when there seems to be so much negatively about.

Running in the park, especially on a frosty day when the sun is shining. Magical.

The first cup of coffee in my favourite cup.

Bedtime giggles with my kids. It's the best, even if they string it out far too long.

And I run a scout section for tiny ones - when they whoop with absolute joy at the simplest things it fills my heart up.

The small things are the big things. Savour them.

You sound like me OP. I suffer from depression and nature is really the only thing that helps.
I'm lucky to live near the new forest and only about 20 minutes from lots of different beaches, so I visit the beach with my dogs at least 2-4 times a week. Sometimes in the day and sometimes in the evening. During winter I'll go there when it's dark as I just love the sound of the waves at night.