Little things to lift you out of the shadows

[abouquetofsharpenedpencils]

Feeling incredibly low due a number of difficult things going on in my life at the moment. I woke up at 3am and had a good cry.
I have a plan of getting back on track which usually works. This includes things like cleaning, going for a walk, watching comedy, having a relaxing bath with some luxury shower gels etc. I find structure really helps for me and setting small goals.
Just wondering what little things help get you back on track and lift yourself out of the abyss when you are feeling low? I could do with some new ideas
Just to mention, I have been down the GP route before with medication and counselling. But I would love some non-medication /alternative ideas please.
Thanks for reading

Geocaching - a walk with a purpose! Some geocaches have interesting or historical information so you learn something new.

Looking round National Trust properties or small regional museums. Or churches. I’m not a Christian but no one has ever checked.

Podcasts. Not mental health ones (often too worthy or very dull) but I like Lockdown Parenting Hell or Adam Buxton.

Cleaning.

Going through my finances in a nitpicking way, rejigging phone contracts, making overpayments to my mortgage etc.

Using seasonal produce that is free e.g making nettle soup

Batch cooking

I woke up stupidly early and lay on couch feeling sad
Then I had a shower and washed my hair
I feel a tiny bit better

I’ve set myself a challenge to eat loads of veg today and actually do my reduced hours

It’s really hard but that little shower and hair wash helped

Great ideas here. One to add from me is donate something to charity. Like some old clothes to the recycling bin or an item for the football in the supermarket. Or a couple of quid if you can afford it.
There’s something about still having the capacity to help someone else that’s a bit empowering, if that’s the right word.

Football is food bank, of course.

I pop my headphones on, listen to my music really loudly and dance badly. Sometimes I’ll do some housework at the same time as it seems like less of a chore!

Adult colouring books are good, I find my brain stops chattering as I’m concentrating on not going over the lines.

Going out to the garden, and just being. I’ll notice the trees and the leaves, listen to the bird song and just be for a few minutes. Notice the raindrops on the leaves, changing of the season that sort of thing.

Gardening helps me, cutting stuff back or planting. I’m not terribly good at it, but there’s something about mud/nature that I find soothing!

Oh, and thinking of all the things that are good in my life and what I’m grateful for. Even in my darkest times I’m really bloody lucky and have a lot to be thankful for.

A pretty bunch of flowers in the house to enjoy.

These are really nice, and helpful, thanks. X. One thing I like to do is buy random books. We have loads of charity shops near us where books are 2 or 3 for a pound, and I get the really old fashioned non-fiction ones. I think because they were written when my parents were young, just the tone of the language is somehow soothing. The more random the content the better. Old books of quotes, recipes, ye Olde psychology books like 'how to win friends and influence people', history books... Sometimes they're comforting just cos they're old, but there are often gems in them - interesting points of view that you don't hear now, things that spark memories...

Sorry I haven't read the full thread so perhaps this has been said but I find buying and arranging a bunch of flowers for myself really lifts me.

Also for classical recommendations, Ludovico Einaudi is just wonderful in my view. Although darker I find his music makes me feel strong and determined.