Things that cheer you up.

[CrazyCrab]

Hi everyone,

I've been feeling really down for a couple of days now and I have no idea why. I mean my situation could be a lot better, but nothing has changed or anything, so no clue what's up with that. I did what I usually do when I'm feeling like that and watched tons of Regular Show (No idea why, but they cheer me up like nothing else) and yet I'm still feeling low. I don't drink or smoke so meh, not going down that path... 

So, my question is: what cheers you up when you're feeling like that? I'm kinda desperate for funny stuff, It's like I'm drowning in a one big swamp of all-engulfing misery. 

Thanks in advance 

 

[Paladin-Cleric of Awesome]

I usually spend a lot of time with my cats. They always make me feels better, and they make great listeners. It totally helps that they know when I'm feeling down and my coppercat espcially will curl up on me.

Other than that I pick an older tvshow or movie (normally a cartoon) and sit and watch it. TMNT is awesome for this, because it's funny and serious and all round a good show that you really don't have to think too much about.

my only other suggestion is to eat chocolate. chocolate makes everything better for me.

 

[Matseb2611]

Perhaps the fact that nothing much has been changing is what's causing the misery. When each day is pretty much the same, we start to question what are we doing and where our lives are going. So one good thing to do is to change that. Pick up a new hobby, visit a new place, join a club, anything to change the same-ness of every day.

Another thing of course is to do what you really love doing, something that gives a sense of purpose to your life. I won't lie, but game-making does this for me. It allows me to set a goal and gradually go towards it, and every time I complete a game or part of the game, I feel a sense of accomplishment. And with each new project I try something more complex or different, so that it feels like I am getting better at the thing I love doing.

Watching funny stuff and so on can help, but it's only a short-term solution which doesn't really sort out the problem that's causing the misery on the first place.

 

[Sharm]

This is a tough one.  I'm bipolar so it comes up quite often.  Well, first things first, make sure you're getting enough sunlight.  Light has a huge effect on mood, to the point where suicide levels are markedly higher in places that rain a lot or in winter months.  Spend some time with friends and family.  I get pretty depressed when I'm spending too much time caught up in my own life, when I start spending time and thinking about others it helps me put things in perspective and get out of any circular thoughts that are giving me grief.  Plus, my friends and family are fun.  Chocolate and fun shows are good short term solutions, but if you do them too often they cause other problems.  Sometimes a little exercise makes a big difference, you get endorphins from exercising that can help balance your mood.  I like to go for walks, especially if I'm getting frustrated and feeling stuck.  Sitting down and figuring out what's bothering me is important, often times my bad moods will be triggered by something my subconscious is trying to solve, so getting that out in the open and planning for it is sometimes all I need to do.  On a related note, if there's something I'm avoiding doing it can drag my whole attitude down so even if it doesn't have to be done right away sometimes I need to just do it anyway and get it out of the way so I can cheer up.  Cleaning can actually make a big difference, not because of the activity but because sometimes we don't even realize how grungy things have gotten and it's making us subtly depressed to be living in an ugly space.  I'm also a fan of retail therapy, it's nice to go out and have something new, especially if it's something you'll be seeing or using often.  Gotta be careful with that one though, it's easy to overspend when you're depressed.  Sometimes I'll be depressed because I've been eating poorly so it can be helpful to make sure I've got enough veggies on hand and I'm eating balanced meals.  If I do all that and still feel blah I'll try doing something completely out of the ordinary like going to a museum or visiting a place I've never been before.  Just something to shakeup the routine and remind me that the world is a bigger place than what I see every day.  If, at this point, I'm still depressed I figure it's just chemecal and I do my best to make it to the next upswing.  Things tend to look better with a little time.

 

[Espon]

I either sleep or watch a silly movie, usually of the animated variety.  It helps a bit, but sometimes depression can be a real crapper and drains all the energy and motivation I have.

I find energy drinks can help.  Not exactly the most healthy thing in the world but sometimes a Monster or two gives me the rush of sugar and energy I need to actually do things.

 

[Amysaurus]

Whenever I need cheering up, I I try and talk to friends or family for a while. Even if we don't talk about me feeling down, just having that company for a while really works wonders. If that's not possible, I try and find a small project to work on, even if it ends up being something silly like baking cookies.

As appealing as they are, I try and avoid books and movies as solutions, as they have you focus on someone else and their troubles rather than your own.

(Also Googling dinosaurs helps.)

 

[mlogan]

Let's see, for me, a 20-30 minute walk outside can do wonders. Really, for me, just about any time spent outdoors can do the trick, but I'm a nature lover.

Some quiet meditation is often helpful. Just turning off all sound and thinking meditating on the postive things in life. Making a list (mental or written) of even the smallest things I can be thankful for.

Honestly, sometimes a really good cry does the trick. And coffee with a good friend really helps too, even if the conversation is nothing deep.

Hope everyone's input can help you find some way to feel better. But remember, if it continues on, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about it. There's no harm in medications if you need them. (And I'm not saying you do, just a general reminder.)

 

[Monkeysnow55 The Cookie]

I draw, listen to music, watch my favorite tv shows (when the next episode is out) write stories, work on my game. Talk with people on skype Play games, just sit down and do nothing you know .

 

[CrazyCrab]

Thanks a ton everyone, it's so nice to know that people care even though we've never met in person 

Anyway, Ive done a lot of things from the list, did some other stuff myself and I'm feeling much better. Much, much better.

Also, working on a brand new project now keeps me excited and busy. Maybe I was just missing doing something creative like that or something.

Again, thanks a ton, not even one sarcastic remark or something like ''kill yourself''. This community is the best 

 

[Ms Littlefish]

My funks usually just pass with time; often has to do with how much sleep I'm getting, or how much time I'm able to spend doing things I enjoy.

Things that cheer me up are 

• Flowers, and all that sort. Going outside. Sometimes I have a bad habit of getting myself cooped up. A walk in a natural environment is pretty darn awesome. 
• Animals. If I bump into my neighbor her golden retriever, who is the happiest and fluffiest golden retriever I've met, always asks for pets. This definitely makes me feel better.
• Getting warm. Blankets, hot drinks, hot bath. Things are just better when I'm warm.
• Listen to music. Sure I have my bands and composers I like but I really like listening to everyone's music here, too. And I love giving comments on music. It puts me in a very positive and constructive mood.  When I'm talking about music. I'm always happy.
• Play my instruments. Who can be sad while playing jigs and reels?
• Make something nice and healthy to eat and up my water consumption. Exercise. I think this one is overlooked. If I've eaten a lot of junk I notice a dip in my mood. Loading up on my greens, lean protein, and going for a bike ride actually does perk me up. Very quickly, too.
• This one is weird, but I have colored lights in my living room. I turn them up. They're pretty. They make me smile.

 

[Knighteriius]

Two Words. :3

My. Girlfriend 

Honestly though, I've been feeling like that lately too, like I'd wake up and I just felt useless and nothing interested me and I found that getting my mind off that topic and pushing myself not to think like that actually worked for me Along with extraordinarily long skype calls with my girlfriend, she is such a cheeky little princess. :3 xD 

 

[Dalph]

Two Words. :3

My. Girlfriend

^ This, this, this so much.

Talking with the person that I care about the most is the only way to cheer me up, nothing else works for me. Nothing else.

 

[_Shadow_]

Things that cheer me up?

Well, let's see.

1] Success of one of my students (every time).

2] My girlfriend.

3] Jokes and maybe a funny movie or game.

4] A good word from somebody.

5] An good event that happens to someone else, even a stranger.

In case I lack of ALL of these 5 at a rare occasion, self motivation sequence is activated. This is personal of course and takes place in my mind anyway.

 

[mlogan]

@CrazyCrab - I'm so glad to hear you found some things that worked for you and are feeling better!