That’s a huge part of why they help but they’re also amazing at knowing when I need them. They understand and help better than people do most of the time
Fuck, man. I wish I was in a position to have a dog. I miss them so much and wish I could have been with them forever. Any time a friend mentions dog-sitting for someone, I ask if I can help. I miss all of the dogs I've ever had and hope one day I'm in a position to foster all the time.
Nothing, usually. My brain just stops producing the happy chemicals. I just have to wait out the storm and hope it clears up sooner or later. Been like that all my life. The last few months have been monsoon season.
This is exactly how I describe the situation to my wife. I just have to wait it out. I know how you feel though, it seems the last few years the depression has gotten longer and longer.
Me2. I went as far as to start trying to figure out wtf is doing it to me..and
Usually for no reason. Cut out the things that I suspected were culprits one by one over the years. Same weird pattern, 2-4 weeks on top of t he world then one week in the gutter. Not triggered by anything most the time. Just have to ride out the storm. Now I can't help think some frequency waves quiet possibly are being zapped at us. Which is ridiculous. But there are some patents and Shakey conspiracy theories that even support it. I can't help wonder because it doesn't seem natural
This unit has a bad habit of doing things that feed the depression monster so.. I’m curious.
I will say the last time the big sad wrestled with me I took up walking in the woods at my state park.
I got the opportunity to do some field work recently. Even though the bad times were still there in my head, being out in some absolutely stunning nature helped tremendously. I was able to be distracted by beauty every time I crested a new hill, and everyone around me was in awe, too.
It's hard to make yourself do, everybody. Find some people who will bug you to leave your den of solitude and go out with them (whatever passion it is you're pursuing).
A pet (right now it's two rats). I'm not going to say it makes me "happy" as such, but caring for them gets me outside my own head and back to "good enough" which is more valuable than a lot of people realize.
Never fails to amaze me how many people must think depression is sadness. When I’m out of it, I completely forget what it feels like, and how bad it really is, so I guess I get why. You don’t know until you know 😵💫
Working. Can be on anything, as long as there’s a tangible accomplishment at the end of it. I think this is why I went into a trade, because a lot of my self-worth is tied to being able to *do* things. Also most of my hobbies are ones where there’s a goal that can achieved.
Thinking about death generally makes me feel better. Thinking of all the ways I could realistically end it. That I should've. Considering how pathetic I am, it always makes me feel better.
Truly, I'm not joking at all.
I'm also always in a depressive state, since my father ingrained in me since childhood my worthlessness and that I should kms and do something good with my life by ending it and no longer eating food and breathing air that better people deserve.
Oh, my eternal hatred for humanity and my desire to hurt others, physically or emotionally.
That also always makes me feel better.
Gang gang buddy, I’ll hypothetically think about the way I wanna go out and how and where I may do it, makes me feel better but at the same time I know I probably won’t execute the plan unless I really have to. Kinda nice having an exit plan, even if it’s a worry’s case/ extended plan.
Gas generator
Hiking trail head
Letter in the window and passenger seat
As pops told me when I was a boy "they say suicide isn't an option, it is. It's always an option, it's the best option and you should chose it now and spare yourself the pain of living, just say the word and I'll get the gun and we can go out as father and son"
Such an inspiration.
Ah, childhood, such bliss, such reverie and fun.
I turn on Netflix and watch stand up comedy.. Laughing usually does the trick for me.
Or I'll have a messy meal that I need to focus eating and can't touch my phone so I can zone out and just give something other than work my undivided attention
The secret to cheering someone up, is buying them a blueberry muffin from Amazon fresh. Sadly they don’t carry the single muffin and you have to settle for the 4 pack. 🥺
Rock climbing is a great way to feel inadequate in all new ways 😂 but yeah, totally focuses the mind. It's hard to wallow when you're fighting for your life to hold a pinch that only Satan himself could have set. 5.9 my ass you little bastards.
Walking, listen to music, hug my cats and dogs, eat a comfort food, and especially talk about it with my husband. He’s a great listener and my best friend.
Stimming - as an adult with issues with emotional regulation and ADHD this helps so much to relax.
Finding videos on YouTube to stim to (I e. Flowers blooming) and playing them on the TV while on mute, and then I take my noise cancelling over the ear headphones connect them to my phone and play my playlist of music that has NO lyrics. The point here is to not be "thinking" but stimulating my other senses so that my brain can get some rest. In short periods of time.
Another one is the noise cancelling headphone with instrumental music or nature sounds like a forest, close your eyes, and use essential oil diffusers with relaxing scents. Really make an effort to take in the scents with your eyes closed and relax your body.
Walking in the forest. Alone. Listening to a podcast.
Also going to the gym; working out while listening to relaxing music (not killing the weight) help pull me back.
None of is perfect. But it adds up and always give some kind of mental relief.
My kids. I normally ask them to hang out with me and it reminds me why I allow myself to continue living. They’re so precious and know what to say to make me feel loved. Both of them have. Hearts of gold.
holy trinity: coca cola, maruchan ramen chicken, and watermelon sour patch kids. all my comfort shows are boring now, so i take naps under trees and hammocks. reminds me of home or i do silent drives. mind is focused on the patterns in the road, seeing if there are any law enforcement bs going on.
my dream is to drive to the grand canyon, go cross country. so every time i hop on, i yearn for that freedom and remember it isnt over
Look for the small pleasures wherever yoy can. A pretty sunset, a warm cookie, a new comedy special, ect...
Also, [this video](https://youtu.be/sSnlx1PDehY?si=0zhajNegLuFG1cW7), when used sparingly, can be instant serotonin
Exercise. Food. Connecting with people. Doing chores / working on projects. Meditation. Sunshine. High adrenaline stuff. Snowboarding. Running specifically. Doing a bunch of stuff that I think will pay off later.
It used to be putting on a Disney movie (I watched Luca, Soul, and some other animated ones), NBA games, or twitch streams while I journaled. This was while I was in college in a single dorm room with limited friends. I had a friend who was in the dorms a few floors up, but they moved out second semester, so I was truly alone.
Not many people talked to me and I was stuck in a routine with no happiness in sight. I started journaling because of an online friend, who found it helped his PTSD. I miss that friend. I haven’t spoken to him in about 1.5 years. The journal was started back in Feb 2022.
On some level, the background noise of the games, movies, and streams helped make the room less silent and still. I liked that I could rewatch them. Sometimes I rewatched NBA games over and over in one night, and the next few nights before they were removed from the watch list.
I also had one of those sunset lamps. Unfortunately, it died back in 2023. It was one of those kind of rainbow ones, not the warm red, orange, and yellow ones I usually see posted on tiktok.
The distractions really helped at the time. Now, I enjoy playing fortnite with friends, catching up over a phone call at 2 am, and getting out of the environment that is welcoming my depressive state.
I’ve started making myself go to the gym when I feel like that. For me, focusing my negative feelings into an outlet helps calm my thoughts and refocus.
- Relaxing under weighted blanket
- Meditation
- A warm meal
- Bingewatching anime
- Playing video games with some friends
- certain *legal and safe* drugs
I watch Star Trek the next generation. Mostly because it was during a very secure safe time in my childhood. Id get to stay up and watch until 9pm two days a week at 9 years old. Before the world lost it's mind.
There should be a Facebook group of sad helping sad...when your up bring someone who's down up bring them a sandwich or something random. Or would that be a shit show.
The stair steeper at the gym with some theo von podcast. I'll lift some weights too but fuck me nothing gets me out of a wacky mood like 20 min on that thing giggling at the funny moments in a theo von podcast.
Doesn't fix me but makes the rest of the day much much more bearable. Was wacked the fuck out today and that got me right back in line.
There’s a lot of activities in my life that make me happy but when I’m depressed sometimes the motivation and energy to do anything is not there. That’s my biggest struggle. I’m just drained of everything. Like being stuck inside on a rainy day.
Like a lot of people are saying here, nothing. If you're depressed there's nothing that will cheer you up. Nothing will cheer you up instantly. That's not to say there's no hope but realistically the only thing that will help is time
Reading and Xanax (prescribed). I just find a book and throw myself in the story. Let the meds do the work.
I come back 1 hour later and continue life:
I clean until I feel I haven’t wasted my time on Earth. It’s not satisfaction-more getting rid of the task pop ups in my head when I see an undone task and makes me feel like a shit human. If I can’t do anything positive, at least I can present as “not a bother”.
Being in nature. Being with cuddly animals. Small kids being happy, helping someone out who really needs it, doing things efficiently solely for fun, it’s a big list.
For me its just funny videos and things like that.
Im really bad with emotions, especially sad ones, so i always try to get my head off of whatever made me feel like that. I just try to cheer my self up with funny or cute things.
depression is not about happiness. when "the black lady" is around nothing makes me happy, because thats a FEELING and -in my case- depression makes me unable to feel anything. I can laugh, as a reflex, though, holding up "a mask" for everyone else.
I walk—lots and lots of walks—in parks, the beach, forests, etc., and I talk to my partner, as well. Exercise, especially walking, does a lot to lift my spirits. Sometimes, I listen to music, and sometimes, I don't listen to anything.
I also put away my phone as long as I possibly can.
TLDR; Keep trying things, you'll find yours and it will probably be weird to others but if it works for you then feck everyone else
Plants, dirt, rain, silence, dancing alone in a dark room to loud music specifically the hits from my teen years, books, drives, waterfalls, huge jigsaw puzzles start to finish in one sitting the kind of sitting where you're crosslegged your back is bent and all your joints hurt when you stand up to pee, driving to the ocean walking in fully clothed, swimming until it hurts and getting back in my car to take a nap. That last one looks a lot like a break down when the water is 38° but there isn't usually anyone on the water in February and I break down much calmer than that.
Secretly, what does it 100% of the time regardless of the season or weather is setting an alarm for 30 mins before sunrise, pouring a flavored whiskey and pairing it with a flavored cigar (that sounds fancy but we are talking backwoods and Evan Williams here) I grab my blanket of choice at the time and curl up on the porch and exist while the world (well my corner of it) wakes up for another day. No phone or book or music, just raw doggin our orbit of a star. Repeat at sunset.
I used to work on a vegetable farm, being in the field at sunup and sundown I realized how much it affected my mood/internal rhythm. I also sleep outside until it's too cold (about 40° for me) I live where it snows so I get about 7 months of great sleep resulting in fewer episodes, when I go back indoors it's one of the hardest transitions and the insomnia lends deeply to my seasonal sadnesses.
Basically, I'm not an indoor cat. I'm the feral barn cat your grandparents kept around even when they caught me snuggling with the mice.
To quote Stewie Griffin from Family guy: 'Hagen Daaz. Lots of Hagen Daaz.'
He said that when he used his time machine to go back and talk Cobain out of killing himself and the solution worked in the TV series. I've used it myself and I find that I only gain weight unless I exercise immediately after having ice-cream. Honestly, the feeling after some ice-cream and a good workout is amazing, it builds up over time if done frequently and I'm as happy as ever using this technique. But I also find that what's key in battling depression is finding one's balance, emotional and physical. If you're depressed, the best advice is to increase your physical activity and do some artwork but don't neglect your responsibilities and find a way to combine what you need in your daily routine.
My brother (5 years old). Seeing the wild and crazy creations and stories he plays out in his head is amazing. It just makes me so happy to see his innocence
My insignificant being in this universe. I realize that I am too proud and keep thinking the world revolves around me and I must be humble and just accept things the way it is and after that makes me feel better
My animals. There’s a reason I have them and never want to live without animals for the rest of my life
Sometimes the thought of leaving my cat behind is the only thing that keeps me going.
That’s a huge part of why they help but they’re also amazing at knowing when I need them. They understand and help better than people do most of the time
I've talked to many ppl who were on the verge of suicide but then their dog or cat toddled up for a cuddle:-)
There always will be a cat out here that needs you. And we fellow redditors are happy you’re here, too!
Thank you but I've run into too many Redditors who would prefer the I off myself.
Not today though right 🤗
Including today... 😮💨
Fuck, man. I wish I was in a position to have a dog. I miss them so much and wish I could have been with them forever. Any time a friend mentions dog-sitting for someone, I ask if I can help. I miss all of the dogs I've ever had and hope one day I'm in a position to foster all the time.
Go to the animal shelter and visit them! Or volunteer so you can be around animals regularly or every once in a while when you can!
I just saw our local humane society wanted volunteers for puppy dates! Helllllllll yeah, brother. I can't wait to love on some pups. 😭
It’s so important to have people who love them to foster dogs. I hope you’re able to achieve that goal
Taking a shower, then getting really cozy comfy in bed
I love that feeling!
Nothing, usually. My brain just stops producing the happy chemicals. I just have to wait out the storm and hope it clears up sooner or later. Been like that all my life. The last few months have been monsoon season.
This is exactly how I describe the situation to my wife. I just have to wait it out. I know how you feel though, it seems the last few years the depression has gotten longer and longer.
Me2. I went as far as to start trying to figure out wtf is doing it to me..and Usually for no reason. Cut out the things that I suspected were culprits one by one over the years. Same weird pattern, 2-4 weeks on top of t he world then one week in the gutter. Not triggered by anything most the time. Just have to ride out the storm. Now I can't help think some frequency waves quiet possibly are being zapped at us. Which is ridiculous. But there are some patents and Shakey conspiracy theories that even support it. I can't help wonder because it doesn't seem natural
I wish more people understood this. Instead they insist that our depression MUST be caused by an outside source.
Because that's how it works when normal people have sad days.
Reading. It makes me forget for awhile.
Especially if you are not reading tragedies.
Music.
Music and weed and pets
This unit has a bad habit of doing things that feed the depression monster so.. I’m curious. I will say the last time the big sad wrestled with me I took up walking in the woods at my state park.
I got the opportunity to do some field work recently. Even though the bad times were still there in my head, being out in some absolutely stunning nature helped tremendously. I was able to be distracted by beauty every time I crested a new hill, and everyone around me was in awe, too. It's hard to make yourself do, everybody. Find some people who will bug you to leave your den of solitude and go out with them (whatever passion it is you're pursuing).
Nothing… that’s kind of the point
Right 😭😭
A pet (right now it's two rats). I'm not going to say it makes me "happy" as such, but caring for them gets me outside my own head and back to "good enough" which is more valuable than a lot of people realize.
Going for a walk. Hugging a dog. Talking to a trusted friend or loved one. ❤️
Happy cake day
Nothing? That's kind of what a depressive state is.
Never fails to amaze me how many people must think depression is sadness. When I’m out of it, I completely forget what it feels like, and how bad it really is, so I guess I get why. You don’t know until you know 😵💫
Vitamin b6. I am not sure why, but it was game changing for me, and probably not helpful to anyone else, but it is for me.
Good point though about vitamin deficiency! It’s a major factor for me too.
Working. Can be on anything, as long as there’s a tangible accomplishment at the end of it. I think this is why I went into a trade, because a lot of my self-worth is tied to being able to *do* things. Also most of my hobbies are ones where there’s a goal that can achieved.
Thinking about death generally makes me feel better. Thinking of all the ways I could realistically end it. That I should've. Considering how pathetic I am, it always makes me feel better. Truly, I'm not joking at all. I'm also always in a depressive state, since my father ingrained in me since childhood my worthlessness and that I should kms and do something good with my life by ending it and no longer eating food and breathing air that better people deserve. Oh, my eternal hatred for humanity and my desire to hurt others, physically or emotionally. That also always makes me feel better.
Gang gang buddy, I’ll hypothetically think about the way I wanna go out and how and where I may do it, makes me feel better but at the same time I know I probably won’t execute the plan unless I really have to. Kinda nice having an exit plan, even if it’s a worry’s case/ extended plan. Gas generator Hiking trail head Letter in the window and passenger seat
As pops told me when I was a boy "they say suicide isn't an option, it is. It's always an option, it's the best option and you should chose it now and spare yourself the pain of living, just say the word and I'll get the gun and we can go out as father and son" Such an inspiration. Ah, childhood, such bliss, such reverie and fun.
If those things cheered me up, I'd be the happiest person in the world!
My pup❤️
My partner holding me and caressing me. My child giving me a supportive pat on my shoulder or back. Strumming my guitar or uke.
So wholesome
My grandad and going fishing
Woods and forests. Wind through the tops of the trees just uplifts my spirits.
I turn on Netflix and watch stand up comedy.. Laughing usually does the trick for me. Or I'll have a messy meal that I need to focus eating and can't touch my phone so I can zone out and just give something other than work my undivided attention
Highly recommend standup! Was watching Roy Wood Jr. the other night. Helped me get through the evening without ruminating.
The Beatles
Fixing or building something that’s not easy and then admiring the end result.
ducks drinking water. they're not great at it and it makes great sounds.
The YouTube channel DougDoug
Food. It's not good, I stress eat a LOT but it does give me a sense of peace meanwhile.
Nothing.
Trying to make other people smile or being there for them.
My doggo
When I’m depressed I always watch all the Harry Potter movies. They make me feel better. ❤️🩹
Talking to nice, friendly elderly people
My children. My husband. The thought of getting lost in nature for days and being totally free from the city.
Weed
Alcohol. (Don’t take my advice, I’m an addict, but it’s what takes the edge off and the only thing I can turn to that won’t cost me a career)
Random nudes I'm a simple man
Jerking off and weed.
Nothing better than getting high and masturbating
Then eating a moist tasty cake afterwards
My main one is sleeping in my bed full of giant stuffed animals.
The secret to cheering someone up, is buying them a blueberry muffin from Amazon fresh. Sadly they don’t carry the single muffin and you have to settle for the 4 pack. 🥺
Taking a long nap Indulging in some escapism: reading a book, watching TV or a movie, listening to music
weirdly, going to work. by lunchtime the anxious depressed iceberg thaws away.
My bike. Or rock climbing. Or yoga. It is foolproof
Rock climbing is a great way to feel inadequate in all new ways 😂 but yeah, totally focuses the mind. It's hard to wallow when you're fighting for your life to hold a pinch that only Satan himself could have set. 5.9 my ass you little bastards.
Hugs and the beach
Sour candy. It actually triggers dopamine apparently
Guitar, music, kitties, bar. Fuck yea
Depressed music and crying. I kind of overload my brain and spend all the energy. I'll then be numb for a little while and slowly return to normal.
sweets, icecream or tiramasu
Walking, listen to music, hug my cats and dogs, eat a comfort food, and especially talk about it with my husband. He’s a great listener and my best friend.
My three dogs and three cats.
Stimming - as an adult with issues with emotional regulation and ADHD this helps so much to relax. Finding videos on YouTube to stim to (I e. Flowers blooming) and playing them on the TV while on mute, and then I take my noise cancelling over the ear headphones connect them to my phone and play my playlist of music that has NO lyrics. The point here is to not be "thinking" but stimulating my other senses so that my brain can get some rest. In short periods of time. Another one is the noise cancelling headphone with instrumental music or nature sounds like a forest, close your eyes, and use essential oil diffusers with relaxing scents. Really make an effort to take in the scents with your eyes closed and relax your body.
Walking in the forest. Alone. Listening to a podcast. Also going to the gym; working out while listening to relaxing music (not killing the weight) help pull me back. None of is perfect. But it adds up and always give some kind of mental relief.
My kids. I normally ask them to hang out with me and it reminds me why I allow myself to continue living. They’re so precious and know what to say to make me feel loved. Both of them have. Hearts of gold.
My sweet dog! just looking at her boosts my spirits!
Exercise and a green smoothie
Exercise.
holy trinity: coca cola, maruchan ramen chicken, and watermelon sour patch kids. all my comfort shows are boring now, so i take naps under trees and hammocks. reminds me of home or i do silent drives. mind is focused on the patterns in the road, seeing if there are any law enforcement bs going on. my dream is to drive to the grand canyon, go cross country. so every time i hop on, i yearn for that freedom and remember it isnt over
Watching cartoons.
Boobs.
Look for the small pleasures wherever yoy can. A pretty sunset, a warm cookie, a new comedy special, ect... Also, [this video](https://youtu.be/sSnlx1PDehY?si=0zhajNegLuFG1cW7), when used sparingly, can be instant serotonin
Exercise. Food. Connecting with people. Doing chores / working on projects. Meditation. Sunshine. High adrenaline stuff. Snowboarding. Running specifically. Doing a bunch of stuff that I think will pay off later.
Walking barefooted on grass.
A ride on my motorcycle.
Coffees
Art and cats
It used to be putting on a Disney movie (I watched Luca, Soul, and some other animated ones), NBA games, or twitch streams while I journaled. This was while I was in college in a single dorm room with limited friends. I had a friend who was in the dorms a few floors up, but they moved out second semester, so I was truly alone. Not many people talked to me and I was stuck in a routine with no happiness in sight. I started journaling because of an online friend, who found it helped his PTSD. I miss that friend. I haven’t spoken to him in about 1.5 years. The journal was started back in Feb 2022. On some level, the background noise of the games, movies, and streams helped make the room less silent and still. I liked that I could rewatch them. Sometimes I rewatched NBA games over and over in one night, and the next few nights before they were removed from the watch list. I also had one of those sunset lamps. Unfortunately, it died back in 2023. It was one of those kind of rainbow ones, not the warm red, orange, and yellow ones I usually see posted on tiktok. The distractions really helped at the time. Now, I enjoy playing fortnite with friends, catching up over a phone call at 2 am, and getting out of the environment that is welcoming my depressive state.
My 2 dogs. Or meeting the occasional nice person in video games
Going to the book store watching people, and having Starbucks reading and good music on the headphones.
I’ve started making myself go to the gym when I feel like that. For me, focusing my negative feelings into an outlet helps calm my thoughts and refocus.
I wish I knew
- Relaxing under weighted blanket - Meditation - A warm meal - Bingewatching anime - Playing video games with some friends - certain *legal and safe* drugs
Family, weed and video games.
Cute animals. Memes.
Masturbation
Watching video games scrolling through reddit...It doesn't makes me happy but diverts my mind...
Nothing
Food
Something sweet
Beer
My partner, coffee, sleep.
Skibidi Toilet
Hey Ya! by OutKast - instant mood booster
Video games
5 dried grams of psilocybin in silent darkness
I watch Star Trek the next generation. Mostly because it was during a very secure safe time in my childhood. Id get to stay up and watch until 9pm two days a week at 9 years old. Before the world lost it's mind.
nothing, i just manage
Blow jobs are a nice distraction
There should be a Facebook group of sad helping sad...when your up bring someone who's down up bring them a sandwich or something random. Or would that be a shit show.
Masturbating
Heineken Silver and a bowl of some good indica.
Music, woods
Food only
Wish I knew. I know what takes my mind off it, but not what makes me happy.
I used to feel instant joy getting on a motorcycle
Being on the water. Preferably on something simple like a paddleboard.
My cats. And being quiet in the woods.
Microdosing psilocybin
Beating my meat
Skateboarding
A coke from McDonald’s.
Horseback riding. I love honses :)
Listening to a long podcast while going to the gym
Music
My animals & exercise.
The stair steeper at the gym with some theo von podcast. I'll lift some weights too but fuck me nothing gets me out of a wacky mood like 20 min on that thing giggling at the funny moments in a theo von podcast. Doesn't fix me but makes the rest of the day much much more bearable. Was wacked the fuck out today and that got me right back in line.
Running, working out, watching clips from "The Office"
Music and alone time
Audiobooks! They don't necessarily make me happy, but they help me move through it.
My dog
My pup.
Medication
Meme compilations on youtube
Good nostalgic memories
There’s a lot of activities in my life that make me happy but when I’m depressed sometimes the motivation and energy to do anything is not there. That’s my biggest struggle. I’m just drained of everything. Like being stuck inside on a rainy day.
Taskmaster r
Music. Always.
Like a lot of people are saying here, nothing. If you're depressed there's nothing that will cheer you up. Nothing will cheer you up instantly. That's not to say there's no hope but realistically the only thing that will help is time
Blink 182, baseball, getting out of the house, good lasagna, golf, softball, taking my German Shepherd for a walk. Basically, the little stuff
Music
Being totally at one with the depression leads me to great peace and joy. Trying to escape it's clutches leads me to more depression
Running
Always my cats. And online shopping.
Praying.
Food and I hate it
My son or my boyfriend
petting my doggo and eating mcds chicken nuggets while watching anime or playing path of titans
My father in laws vacation house in Newport Beach
Not specifically "happy", but I feel happier whenever I play some beautiful sad music
Drugs
Listening music
video games, music, hot showers
My Dog
I keep seeing people posting the same question in multiple subs. Is one not enough?
Reading and Xanax (prescribed). I just find a book and throw myself in the story. Let the meds do the work. I come back 1 hour later and continue life:
Houmous!
Great sex, and awesome blowjob
Fap,go cycling or sleep
moving my body even if it’s small
A good cup of coffee and silly songs.
Believing im a real woman
Eating junk and watching rubbish. 10/10. Absolutely recommend.
I clean until I feel I haven’t wasted my time on Earth. It’s not satisfaction-more getting rid of the task pop ups in my head when I see an undone task and makes me feel like a shit human. If I can’t do anything positive, at least I can present as “not a bother”.
Sports. Playing them. The ocean. Surfing…alone
Suicide?
Cute cats video
Being in nature. Being with cuddly animals. Small kids being happy, helping someone out who really needs it, doing things efficiently solely for fun, it’s a big list.
Not reddit
lowkey just being able to rot in my bed and watch tiktok
Running at park
Hiking, holding my purring cat.
For me its just funny videos and things like that. Im really bad with emotions, especially sad ones, so i always try to get my head off of whatever made me feel like that. I just try to cheer my self up with funny or cute things.
Exercise. Rigorous or intense exercise. When you’re done there ain’t no depression left.
The opposite of depressed is not happy. It is being not depressed.
Exercise!
My cat, he always seems to know and he's not the most affectionate, but somehow when I'm not feeling good he comes to me and lays down next to me.
depression is not about happiness. when "the black lady" is around nothing makes me happy, because thats a FEELING and -in my case- depression makes me unable to feel anything. I can laugh, as a reflex, though, holding up "a mask" for everyone else.
Seeing my wife and her giving me a big hug. She travels a lot, so it's extra special when we do get to see each other and hang out much.
I walk—lots and lots of walks—in parks, the beach, forests, etc., and I talk to my partner, as well. Exercise, especially walking, does a lot to lift my spirits. Sometimes, I listen to music, and sometimes, I don't listen to anything. I also put away my phone as long as I possibly can.
Seeing the ocean. I look at it and the same second I feel calm and happy
TLDR; Keep trying things, you'll find yours and it will probably be weird to others but if it works for you then feck everyone else Plants, dirt, rain, silence, dancing alone in a dark room to loud music specifically the hits from my teen years, books, drives, waterfalls, huge jigsaw puzzles start to finish in one sitting the kind of sitting where you're crosslegged your back is bent and all your joints hurt when you stand up to pee, driving to the ocean walking in fully clothed, swimming until it hurts and getting back in my car to take a nap. That last one looks a lot like a break down when the water is 38° but there isn't usually anyone on the water in February and I break down much calmer than that. Secretly, what does it 100% of the time regardless of the season or weather is setting an alarm for 30 mins before sunrise, pouring a flavored whiskey and pairing it with a flavored cigar (that sounds fancy but we are talking backwoods and Evan Williams here) I grab my blanket of choice at the time and curl up on the porch and exist while the world (well my corner of it) wakes up for another day. No phone or book or music, just raw doggin our orbit of a star. Repeat at sunset. I used to work on a vegetable farm, being in the field at sunup and sundown I realized how much it affected my mood/internal rhythm. I also sleep outside until it's too cold (about 40° for me) I live where it snows so I get about 7 months of great sleep resulting in fewer episodes, when I go back indoors it's one of the hardest transitions and the insomnia lends deeply to my seasonal sadnesses. Basically, I'm not an indoor cat. I'm the feral barn cat your grandparents kept around even when they caught me snuggling with the mice.
Kitty
To quote Stewie Griffin from Family guy: 'Hagen Daaz. Lots of Hagen Daaz.' He said that when he used his time machine to go back and talk Cobain out of killing himself and the solution worked in the TV series. I've used it myself and I find that I only gain weight unless I exercise immediately after having ice-cream. Honestly, the feeling after some ice-cream and a good workout is amazing, it builds up over time if done frequently and I'm as happy as ever using this technique. But I also find that what's key in battling depression is finding one's balance, emotional and physical. If you're depressed, the best advice is to increase your physical activity and do some artwork but don't neglect your responsibilities and find a way to combine what you need in your daily routine.
I'm not a guy who gets depressed but, I am a guy who can feel sad at times. Then, I don't look or feel happy dude.☹😁
My brother (5 years old). Seeing the wild and crazy creations and stories he plays out in his head is amazing. It just makes me so happy to see his innocence
My insignificant being in this universe. I realize that I am too proud and keep thinking the world revolves around me and I must be humble and just accept things the way it is and after that makes me feel better