What do you do?

This isn't about dieting or anything, but I'm just feeling really, really down and I was wondering what other people do when they feel this way? Just looking for a way pick myself up I guess.

Retail therapy, then I gorge on Chinese after I realise I spent money I didn't want to spend on things I really didn't want to buy.

No, I talk to the comatose patients.  They give the greatest advice.

I like to go to a cute coffee shop in my area, order the most delicious coffee they have and hole up for a couple hours with a book. Or I just lay on my bed listening to music and think about how I can solve whatever is bothering me. 

ok... but what happens when pretty much everything is wrong and you have no idea where to start, and the idea of ingesting something makes you want to vomit? How do you just make yourself calm?

I second the retail therapy.  It gets you out and about and around other people.  Going shopping can also inspire you and open your eyes to new things.  Pick out or try on something that you normally would pass over.  It may lift your spirits a bit.  Its always does for me, even if it is something inexpensive.  Retail therapy doesn't have to be expensive.  Heck, you can even just browse and get a lift.  IF you are feeling down body-wise, why not check out some cute or interesting home furnishings or decorations or a cute necklace, etc.  A great new addition to spice up your bedroom or living room can be an unexpected lift.  Or even a new facial mask that will give you a boost.  The possibilities are endless.  Give yourself a lift by inviting something new and exciting into your life.  I get a boost by simply walking around my local walgreens.  New make-up!!

Boones Farm

Retail therapy is great. I went window shopping in midtown Manhattan on black Friday LOL. I tried on so many cute coats, didn't buy anything but I felt tons better... 

Ditto...retail therapy...I go shopping...it sucks but it helps!

I pick up my cat and hug her and kiss her.  She doesn't like it much but it feels great.  Her new wrinkle, considering she's not a lap cat is to sit on my lap when I'm on the computer.

Good old Reita, she loves me no matter what!

You might want to try yoga or meditation. It allows you to focus on your breathing and your body and forget whatever problems are bothering you at that time. I have a very stressful job and i don't realize how much stress has built up until i'm done with a yoga class and i feel so much better. But, if you try everything and the feelings persist or get worse you should also consider talking to a professional about it. You can ask your doctor for a referral.

Get busy.  Organize a closet, cupboard or even a drawer.  Rearrange some furniture. 

Get out of the house - go to a museum or gallery or just windowshop.

Do something for somebody - volunteer at a soup kitchen, entertain kids at a hospital, visit elderly people in nursing homes.  Do a good deed for a friend.

In other words, get out of yourself.

I clean.  I hate cleaning, but when I'm upset I clean my entire place, polish all the wood, condition the leather, wash the floors, everything.  Then I take a bath. Or lay on your couch/bed/floor and stare at a blank wall (kinda medatation) keep your eyes open stay awake.  Write in my journal.  And of course cook, and eat. 

I do a few different things.
1) clean the house from top to bottom.
2) go for a walk at a local trail.
3) grab a coffee and go to the cemetary and talk to my grandma and mom.  They are buried next to each other.
4) put on loud rock music and let loose.
5) go for a long car ride and blare the radio.  I once drove 800 miles in one day trying to figure things out.
I don't recommend the shopping, when you get the bill, there is just more problems to deal with and I don't need anyt more bills.

Good luck.

Original Post by schnooder:

Boones Farm

 HAHA  I second that

Some good suggestions already made.

Getting out of the house and taking a long walk is my therapy of choice.  Some fresh air, some exercise always help blow away the doldrums.

Cleaning the house and organizing closets is another great idea - there's something therapeutic about scrubbing and vacuuming.  And if you can find some old clothes that no longer fit or other things that you no longer need, you can organize a donation trip to the thrift store. 

If you have someone you trust and can talk to, asking for a vent session to get things off your chest might help too. 

I don't know how you feel, of course, but there are some times I feel utter despair.  It's like anguish and I can't move.  I can't be bothered to feign interest in anything or even pretend that I'm okay to humor those that I love.  When I feel like that, I have 2 options:

1.  I do some small thing to make myself feel more positive and just get the inertia going in the right direction.  Sometimes it's a load of laundry, or taking the recycling to the recycling center.  Focusing on one very small project that I can succeed at makes things feel less overwhelming. 

2.  Or, if I can't even make myself do that, I sleep.  That clears my head, and when I'm sleeping I can't be making bad choices or obsessing over things.

Once I'm over the hump, I try to root out the source of my unhappiness and set "specific, achievable, measurable" goals - small goals - to help me get to where I am happy again. 

If you're anything like me, I highly recommend AGAINST eating anything or shopping.  Both of those things are super despair enhancers for me.  Don't even THINK of doing anything that makes you feel guilty.  Do whatever the thing is in your life that makes you feel good: selfless, productive, carefree...just happy.  Drop whatever else you feel like you have to do and do the thing that makes you happy.  Nothing is more important than your happiness.

Thanks for the suggestions... I ended up just sleeping. It didn't solve anything, or get any of the nine million things I have to do done, but at least now I have a somewhat less tired brain to work with. Thanks all:)

I clean my room, organize all my notebooks, organize my email, I clean my apartment. Put some good music on. Once everything is clean and organized, I either make a good cup of tea, or a good meal, or I would go buy some coffee (caffeine cheers me up). Then I would watch one of my favourite movies.

For me, cleaning everything helps me comparmentalize my life, and realize that everything is possible, and makes more sense when its all clean and in its right place.

go to the gym with my headphones, and workout till i physically can't move much...then take a really hot bubble bath with Epsom salt.  The feeling is amazing afterwards.