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Mental health

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Tips on distractions when it's all too much

6 replies

Smartleatherbag · 15/09/2015 14:33

I'm having a bad time with severe depression just now. Agitated this pm and can't concentrate on anything!
What helps you when it's like this?

OP posts:
holeinmyheart · 15/09/2015 17:17

'Mindful' helps me. When I get into a tight coil and I think ' BU I am not going to be able to sleep or concentrate, I practice Mindfulness and it helps.
If it gets too bad though you need medication.

Exercise helps but it has to be of the 'extreme' sweating kind.
When I have been climbing I sleep like a log.
Any exercise will do. Swimming is very beneficial if you can get over being wet.
Hugs, as there are lots of us in the same boat. I had a toxic childhood....damn

Jemima14 · 16/09/2015 00:10

How are you feeling tonight? Hope you are feeling better.

A few things that I personally find good for distraction when your mind is going mental...

TV!! Movies, boxsets..... sometimes it can be hard to concentrate & focus, maybe put on something you have seen before and try to get your mind to catch on to it. This can give your brain a much needed break from a peak anxiety state.

Food - eating does it for me unfortunately! If you can find the effort or will to be able to get / make yourself something.

I find cleaning good, its very hard to get started, but even something random, like i'll just start by getting the sink clean in teh kitchen - and i usually end up cleaning the whole kitchen

5 minute mindful sessions: Making a cup of tea - Just focus for 5 minutes on putting water in the kettle, listenting to it boil, pouring the water, feeling the hot cup in your hands, drinking. Focusing on everything outside of yourself, taste sight sound smell..... Same type of thing for a 5 minute shower..

Also, putting notes up around the place on the wall, of things that inspire me. I have a big noteup in my room that simply says focus, that is to not let my mind wander when i;m in the middle of other tasks, like getting dressed.

When its really bad and nothing of the above is helping. I listen to podcasts / sometimes dep/anxiety related, sometimes something bizarre like infinite monkey cage, or ted talks can be good.

Last, but certainly not least. I put on a foreign movie, while lying in bed, ligths off, windows open, snuggled down. Can even put a cloth on your head. Just close your eyes & listen to the foreign words and try not think, just breathe..................

Hope you get some peace soon... hope some of this helped..... let us know how your doing?

Smartleatherbag · 20/09/2015 20:55

Sorry for such a delay in replying. Many thanks, some v useful suggestions. I'm less anxious today, still hellish but not on edge the same. Flowers

OP posts:
ohmagosh · 20/09/2015 22:59

Severe depression for everyone is different I too am suffering xx

Jemima14 · 21/09/2015 03:36

Glad to hear you are not as agitated. Even though you are still bad, its a small blessing. How are you coping / managing at the moment. Do you have support / have to work etc?

Smartleatherbag · 21/09/2015 12:33

I'm still at work but spent all this morning crying because I can't do it and I'm working this pm. Can't function.
Dh v supportive but I'm so lost

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