Any suggestions for improving life with depression?

[Turnitupto11]

I've had depression on and off for many years. On top of that now I'm menopausal, have constant aches and pains, IBS, health anxiety, generalised anxiety and probably more. I'm on ADs and probably need to speak to my gp about upping the dose.

I'm really struggling to do anything at the moment. I thought it would be nice to start a hobby, but I can't think what.

I'm not artistic, I've not a lot of patience, I can't stand glue on my hands (little bit on the spectrum possibly). I can knit but get fed up of trying to think of something to knit, the easy things aren't much use and my hands and wrists are painful so I struggle with larger things. I'm also on a tight budget. I've tried needle felting but it never turned out how it was supposed to. I've tried crocheting but not that keen. I'm in a considerable amount of pain a lot of the time, so not considering exercise at the moment, and I can't concentrate on yoga. I'd just like something easy to do with my hands that makes me feel like I've achieved something. I'm on quite a tight budget but could buy a kit, maybe up to £20.

Any suggestions welcome! TIA

Do you want a solo hobby or one you can do with other people?

Do you live near the sea? A friend of mine with persistent anxiety and depression for over 30 years has been sea swimming year round (she is hardcore, she just wears a normal swimsuit, not a wetsuit) for a couple of years and it has been absolutely transformational. She says the reasons why it has been so good for her mental health are:

1. it is so cold you think you might die and when you get our you are so glad you didn't die it feels completely life affirming and makes you appreciate being alive
2. it is beautiful - she goes at sunrise or sunset in the winter (she works part time) and gets to appreciate nature all the more
3. the community of sea swimmers is brilliant - almost all middle-ages, take-no-shit women who have been incredibly accepting and supportive.

The key thing is to have a dry robe (or similar) so you get warm and dry quickly after your near death experience.

PS - dry robes are really expensive but having had a good look at my friend's, I think you could bodge it with a towelling or fleecy dressing gown inside your coat and no sense of shame - the key thing is just to put it on and go home rather than struggling to get dressed on the beach.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking for a solo hobby I can do at home.

I'm not close enough to the sea to do that, and not a very good swimmer. Sounds amazing though

Micro gardening?

www.treehugger.com/best-microgreen-growing-kits-5187197

Would diamond painting be too fiddly for you?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MXJSUA-Rhinestone-Embroidery-Geometric-12x16inches/dp/B07FZZ6NSP/ref=ascdff_B07FZZ6NSP/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309821197110&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2312856336005557977&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20489&hvtargid=pla-628070135437&psc=1

@JaneJeffer

Would diamond painting be too fiddly for you?

[[https://www.amazon.co.uk/MXJSUA-Rhinestone-Embroidery-Geometric-12x16inches/dp/B07FZZ6NSP/ref=asc]]dff_B07FZZ6NSP/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309821197110&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2312856336005557977&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20489&hvtargid=pla-628070135437&psc=1

Yes. I bought one, then was just overwhelmed when I tried to do it.

I've looked at the micro gardening but don't think I'd eat them. Thanks though.

I like the thought of making bread or kombucha, but I'm strapped for space for kombucha bottles etc and have never made bread. Plus I only eat seeded wholemeal bread, so unsure if it's even possible to make a good one myself. I've also never tried kombucha, but have been told it's very sour, vinegary, and I don't think I'd like that.

There's no point baking anything sweet, I'll only eat it all.

I really enjoy jigsaw puzzling.
You can pick them up cheap in charity shops...
And I bought a board to do it on, and can close it up partially completed, to return to do at a later date.....

If you do start be warned.....you will lose hours!

Making earrings with beads and and other decorations is easy and cheap. Bracelets and necklaces use more beads so cost a bit more. There are bead stores, which are fun to visit, or buy online of course. Lots of books, videos to show you how.

I like birdwatching and learning to identify them. You can just start with those in your garden or on walks. I'm trying to learn to identify birdsong, but that's a bit harder for me!

Going on Ancestry.com and tracing your ancestors is fun and interesting too. Their basic membership isn't expensive, and even if you don't maintain it after a bit, your research stays on the site and you can still visit it.

I have a jigsaw here to start and my bf bought me a board for it years ago, about time I started! I gave up on the 1000 piece ones though, again I get overwhelmed by so many tiny pieces.

I do have a bird feeding station in the garden but only get a robin, some magpies and a pair of doves coming down. The only place I can watch it from is my bedroom, not very practical as it's tiny. I do like looking at the birds though.

I guess I'm thinking of something that will achieve something, make something.

My dad did our family tree on ancestry before he died, not much I could add to it.

I can only wear gold earrings or my ears get infected.

Zentangle? No artistic skill required and you end up with something surprisingly good.
Lots of introductory sessions available on zoom (try eventbrite for details) and no special equipment is required

Jigsaws are very mindful, so is colouring in. You could get an audio book or listen to something on BBC sounds whilst you do it? Start small so you don't get overwhelmed

I was going to say jigsaw, maybe a smaller one if 1000 pieces are too daunting.

Not exactly a hobby but what about a small pet? Budgies can be great little friends and company if you like birds.

When I was laid up with long Covid I took up cross stitch. You can get kits quite cheaply and there’s a great selection on places like Etsy with more modern designs. It’s easy to learn and do, and something you can pick up and put down easily when concentration fails!

What about collage or scrapbooking?

I love the jigsaw app on my iPad - you never lose any pieces!

Mindful, colouring?

I love audiobooks. The drama section on BBC sounds is great for these if you want to go for free - there's a back catalogue to work through that will last you for months! Audible is also great and if you have a subscription there are a lot of books included as well as your monthly credit for buying them. Always check you have downloaded them if you want to listen outside the house, though, or it uses a lot of your phone data. It's easy to do.

www.prima.co.uk/craft/sewing/g32628697/tapestry-kits/

Tapestry kits? There’s so many available to suit any style. They come with printed ‘fabric’, all the threads and a needle. Wonderful stuff, really soothing. I’ve got a few on the go. I don’t necessarily want to KEEP them, but DOING them is so relaxing.

Adult colouring books?
Scratch art?
Adult sticker mosaics?
Learn to crochet squares(you tube tutorials)?
Cross stitch kit?
Puzzle books(wordsearch,Criss cross etc)?
Look up knitting for charity- prem baby hats etc are small and knowing it's helping others may be uplifting?

I've not heard of Zentangle, I'll look it up.

I do read quite a lot.

I like the thought of colouring, but have been looking for the right book.

I have a cross stitch kit, but went wrong somewhere and got fed up .. it's very small and my near vision isn't great, maybe I need some reading glasses!

I'm not sure what I'd do with a tapestry, really, I have particular things on the wall that I like, but will have a look.

I have actually got a puzzle book somewhere.

I have knitted for premmies before, but I'd have to post them and struggle with the motivation to get out. Also in the past I've knitted, only to be told they've been inundated with donations and don't need more.

I can crochet a bit, but don't really enjoy it.

Part of the problem is my attention span is very low and I get bored quickly.

Forgot to say, I have a cat, would love a budgie, but not sure I could handle it, worried about pecking, and would only feel happy about it if it could fly free a lot. I love all animals, but as my motivation is a problem, I'd need to be sure I'd look after it properly, cleaning cages etc. Also have to take vet bills into consideration.