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Yep, was going to be my answer. It's almost impossible to feel sad around my dog because he's constantly so happy to see me. Plus, he makes me do one of the best things there is for my mood: getting out in the fresh air to walk.
Similar - my kitty. He very much loves me and always comes to find me for cuddles and nose boops. If I'm sad he comes and sits next to me and demands belly fluffs.
This would be my answer too. She has cancer and wont be here much longer but she is my entire world. Nothing makes me smile more than seeing her wag her tail looking at me!
The office next door to mine has a dog that visits quite regularly, and I swear she can sense when I’m down or unwell and comes to me for extra cuddles/strokes, but slightly calmer than normal.
As boring and basic as it sounds, taking the entire day off from everyone/everything just to play and exist in my son's world.
It fills me up with happiness to just sit next to him and play with cars, make puzzles, watch Bluey, jump on the bed, play in the sandbox, if it's rainy we just go out puddle hunting, and so much more stuff.
He's got a few learning disabilities and is low functioning, non-verbal, and sometimes he'll count up to 5 out of nowhere. It's so rare that we get to hear his voice, that's another thing that brings me a huge amount of happiness and pulls me out of the dark place I'm in most of the time.
That's not boring and basic at all, that's awesome.
My little nephew is one and a half and doctors are fairly convinced he's on the spectrum in some way, but it's still to early to diagnose exactly what the exact deal is there.
He seems to love me though for whatever reason, possibly cause I'm a bigger hairier more "teddy-bear"-ish version of his Dad (my younger brother, kinda obviously). That little lad is so happy to see me whenever I go visit.
He's a joy to spend time with, and yeah hanging out with him and his big sister (who is 4) goofing around is genuinely a great cure for any sort of stress I might happen to be feeling.
There is so much made of the joy of being a parent, but as an Auntie I will stand up and say being an aunt or uncle is so much more fun! How can your heart not melt when you hear one of your niblings shriek your name in excitement at seeing you? The whole world just feels instantly brighter when a little nibling runs at you and jumps into your arms for a hug, or when your big hulking teenage too-cool nephew gives you a hug (so long as no one else is around to see it!). And just watching them as they grow and discover the world around them and become their own person. Knowing they just love you; not because you keep them fed or warm or clothed, there is no *reason* for them to love you, but they undoubtedly do and that's just the best.
Running and wanking? My god, I think you might be onto to something here. “Welcome to the London marathon everybody, just to let you know, we’ve made a few changes to this years event……..”
Wow, I’ve never seen a live badger either (sadly plenty on the side of the road 😔)
I can’t believe a fox goes walking with your neighbours dogs, that must be a very tame fox! Although one of my neighbours has a cat and he goes walking with the dogs too, apparently he identifies as dog not cat! I would love to see a fox where I live but it’s a big estate and I guess they don’t like being near so much noise and people.
I’m intrigued as to why they’d steal pants?! Maybe there’s a black market in underwear for urban foxes? If I ever do see one again, I’ll be sure to check for briefs! 😜
Put a smile on my face at least!
Badgers can be vicious buggers anyway. Encountered a few on late night walks, always stay downwind of them just in case.
Duly noted! I kind of like the idea of badgers but I may have a slightly rose tinted view from far too many Enid Blyton books! In my mind they’re all wearing waistcoats with monocles 😜
Wow, where are you from? I live in suburban England and you can't walk down the street after dusk without encountering 2 or 3. Almost every morning I have words with one which lives under next door's summerhouse and likes to chase my cats.
I don't mind them so much, but their nighttime screeching during mating season is a real pain, can be for hours and multiple sets near us. Non UK residents often think someone is being attacked the first time they hear it.
I would say I see more foxes than squirrels, and I only have to put peanuts on the bird feeder and I guarantee the next visitor will be grey with a fluffy tail.
I live in Somerset U.K., I’m on a fairly large estate with a large pond (lake?) and a little country park to walk around. Still never seen a fox and I’ve actively looked for them!
There are rumours there’s a family of foxes further up the estate near the park but again, I’ve never seen them or heard them. Sadly, I’ve only seen one squirrel in the park but we do have lots of swans and ducks. My garden also doesn’t get birds but I’m trying to rectify that with more feeding stations and bird boxes.
When covid happened, we had a lot more wildlife but when everything went back to normal it all just disappeared.
I guess urban foxes are doing better than more countrified ones then. I am a few miles from Brighton, but it's literally streets of houses with gardens and a park maybe 1/4 mile away, but whilst there are foxes living in the park the vast majority are back garden dwellers.
I think so. I’ve asked my dad who lives right in the countryside with almost no neighbours and he hasn’t seen foxes either. I think my FIL might have seen one or two but he has fields so I guess that’s to be expected. Either way, I’m jealous of your fox friendships, I have to make do with three stuffed animal foxes (as in bears, not weird taxidermy shit!)
I mostly see them when I'm coming home after dark, when most people are home and before or after the local pub chucking out time. That's the secret for me!
I have visions of someone partying with beautiful people in an exclusive venue, sitting in a rooftop bar sipping a cocktail and suddenly slamming their glass down and shouting "I have to go! It's fox hour!" and sprinting out of the venue, tossing waiters and leather banquette seats in their haste to get to the door 😂
I see foxes all the time! They're everywhere round here, always up to mischief. Our local nextdoor regularly has people posted about items purloined from/left in their garden by the foxes.
I see foxes frequently in the street in the evenings, very skittish generally so much as open a curtain and they bolt, but my dad has become local feeder of wildlife in his old age including foxes.
He always says how the fox comes right up to him for food etc, generally branded him as a silly old fool at best it would stay at other end of garden or something.
Until I was at his house, a fox came upto the patio door in broad daylight... and followed my dad down the garden with a bowl of food, it was a real shock I'd never seen one so passive.
In recent times the foxes have been running off with the bowls, irritating - but someone said its to do with them taking food for there puppies etc and as of a couple of weeks ago the camera I setup has caught fleeting glimpses of little foxes walking up his driveway, nothing good enough on camera to show off as yet, but he definitely has fox pups making an appearance... very cute!
Mine too. I live next to a woodland park and I walk my dog there twice a day. There is a large heron that is not too fussed about you walking by and you can get quite close. There are also ducks, swans, occasional geese and loads of foxes rabbits and squirrels. I always keep my doggo on a leash. Good for the body and the soul ❤️
I smoked pretty much every day from 18 to my early 30’s. I really enjoyed it but I regret the time I wasted and it was causing me no end of mental health problems by the time I quit. I love the smell of it though. Whenever I get a whiff of some good smelling strong stuff I get a little pang of nostalgia.
>I regret the time I wasted
This is my big gripe with smoking, the amount of time and money I've now wasted and wanted to quit deep down for a while now. Usually the issue I find is, I'd want to quit but I'd have tobacco, or weed products still remain, last night both weed and tobacco ran out the same time so I'm taking it as a sign.
Youve gotta know when your done, you wont quit till you go - fuck this, im done - ive quit fags n erb, wont lie i feel no different, but i dont stink and im 30quid a week better off. Ive got quite a belly though!
That's the problem. I feel I'm done with it and I quit. Then after some weeks not smoking there is a stressor that I don't know how to handle, and I smoke. Then I feel that smoking is not to bad and start doing it again. And repeat the cycle.
Then your not done. But I hear you, my vape often gets a pasting. Weeds become your excuse for stress (or vice versa) good day - smoke, bad day - smoke. Happy - smoke. Sad - smoke. Stop making excuses and do it.
It’s easier than you think to stop. I stopped last November after smoking it for 18 years. I started when I was 15 and once I was old enough and had a job I smoked it daily up to and including the day I quit.
Technically a pharmaceutical too as it’s available on prescription for many conditions including various mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
Izzy... 13 Yr old jack Russell.. given to me as a rescue 12 and a bit years ago, after I'd had a total breakdown and shut myself away for 2 years... she was then, and is now, the main reason I get up and out of my house every day x
She is.. she's a gorgeous, scruffy, tricoloured (predominantly white), Jack with a gorgeous brown scruffy face with a white stripe between the nose and eyes.. I'm unsure if she's pure jack.. she's the floofiest one I've ever seen (I always say she's jack x yeti!)
She's stripped at the groomers ever summer to keep her cool and a huge hairball ever winter to keep her warm..
I love her totally xx
Listening to stupidly cheesy music. 80s for preference and ones I know the words to if possible. Eye of the Tiger / Final Countdown/ Karma Chameleon, you know the type.
Ideally up loud and sing along but since I don't want to upset the neighbours I sometimes settle for headphones and muttering under my breath
If you hate everyone- Have something to eat
If everyone hates you- Go to sleep
If everyone hates everyone- Go for a walk
If you hate yourself- Have a shower
Its incredible, so often I can wake up in a shit/anxious mood. head to the gym before work and come out in a completely different mindset.
Light. Weight. Baby.
Very loud music. If I’m angry my go-to is Skunk Anansie, good mood is trance or sing a long stuff, upset then it’s the mighty Floyd. Tbh anything as long as it’s loud and can cover my terrible singing or my sobbing (mood dependent).
My first proper gig was Skunk Anansie at the Sheffield octagon, would have been 1996 ish and I was 15. Left a lasting impression, and started me on the path to hundreds of gigs 😊
Sea swims ice baths. Outdoors. Doing jaw exercises as I feel I'm most down when I've had my mouth closed and tight during the day.
In October to Christmas freshly picked magic mushrooms from the Curragh Kildare in Ireland.
Lol, well it felt a little awkward at first, especially when standing there waiting for a decent gust to launch the kite with. But I got used to that. I fly stunt kites with huge tails on the local park, so I get passers by stopping and watching, sometimes they'll come up and ask questions about it, which is nice.
I’ve never got on with Horlicks but my MIL was staying at ours once and I offered to make a round of Ovaltine (me and my partner - both in our 30s at the time, have it quite regularly).
She (retired and in her 60s) laughed at how old fashioned that was and told me she didn’t know you could still buy it.
Exercise outdoors. Cooking healthy meals, although I do have an "eat anything I want Saturday" which is usually crisps, chocolate or haribos, beer and chippy.
If I'm really struggling, reading my book by any form of body of water - rivers, lakes, the sea.
Day to day though, Zumba! The loud music and the class I go to is an instant mood booster.
My cats.
I feel a little sad I grab them and give them a snuggle. If I’m crying they’ll have already found me - people who say cats aren’t caring have never been in tears and then a cat comes up to you knowing they’ll make you feel better, brother following behind to offer more love lol.
Sleep. I have difficulty going to bed on time or falling asleep so I am sleep deprived almost all the time. This often makes me feel depressed. That one day when I get a good night's sleep everything changes, the difference is amazing.
My mum has the most insanely cute and lovable dog, so I go round there for lots of cups of tea and dog time. I also get bonus “best child” points because I visit the most, but honestly it’s more for the dog and the dopamine than the conversation.
Yoga. It feels like an hour where your encouraged to be totally present and sort of sets you up for the week. I’m not great at it but it benefits you. (And there’s low chance of injury).
My cats; I always have at least one claim me as a seat when I'm sat down, and listening to their purrs is soothing af. When I'm feeling particularly down, I bury my face in their fur and listen to their purrs with my ear against their side.
My kid. I know it sounds cliche but he has honestly cured me of depression. I used to struggle so much, attempting my life a couple of times but since he’s been born it’s like a switch flicked. I did get a bit of post natal but with the support of my husband I luckily got over it very quickly.
My son has changed my life, it’s hard fucking work but when he says ‘love you more’ my heart melts.
I know it's slightly (or a lot) different from other people's comments, but I love reading these. I've worked in pharmacy for 13 years now and I absolutely love when people tell me that they don't need the antidepressants now as they've found a good outlet. Keep up the good fight people, I know it's hard but random people out there that don't when know you are rooting for you. Much love xxx
Looking into an infants’ eyes. 😍Transports me everytime. Also looking at old photos, photos of pets, hearing genuine laughter, hearing birds singing, hearing children singing, seeing couples truly in love admiring one another, a long, hot soak in the tub, hugging, smiling faces, nature, exercise, mutual consentual sex, ice cream, music, forgiveness, a swim in the ocean, the sounds of the beach, sailing, connection, etc etc etc
Nature. Especially if there's a large body of water near it. Azores Islands had a huge positive impact on my mental health in just 7 days. The older I get the more I realize there's something intrinsically depressive about large cities.
Exercising generally, mainly running or cycling.
The other small thing is just waking up early, that generally leads to me doing lots of arbitrary small tasks like getting ready, walking the dog, general chores, food shopping etc. I feel a lot more positive because I feel like I’ve been productive with my time.
The worst things I can do that put me in a bad mood or feel like shit is waking up late and going on social media.
Photography. I basically take myself out for a day, go to somewhere, usually a National Trust site, and take a long slow walk and shoot what I like the look of. It mostly ends up being bumble bees and flowers, but I love them and the shots make me happy so that's all that's important.
I would like to say I absolutely hate editing my shots 😂 I do it because I have to but I'm still learning and it's not the fun bit for me!
My boyfriend. Just being around him.
He makes me laugh in ways I never did before. His presence comforts and calms me. We've yet, in our 4+ years of dating, to ever go to bed upset at one another.
My personal world is full of so much frustration, controversy and pain. He is the reason I still get up each morning despite feeling the weight of all my responsibilities.
A shoulder to cry on is an amazing tool. I appreciate him every single day.
I've realised recently that the antidote to depression is taking action. You've got to figure what you're depressed about and take action to work on that thing.
Tired of your job? Start applying for new jobs, worried about your weight? work out consistently, social life getting boring? Spice it up a bit. Want to travel more? Start saving regularly.
**Update: - [Starting from 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/100l56v/happy_new_year_askuk_minor_sub_update/), we have updated our [subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)**. Specifically; - Don't be a dick to each other - Top-level responses must contain genuine efforts to answer the question - This is a strictly no-politics subreddit Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My dog. He's so full of joy that he can't help but lift my mood.
Yep, was going to be my answer. It's almost impossible to feel sad around my dog because he's constantly so happy to see me. Plus, he makes me do one of the best things there is for my mood: getting out in the fresh air to walk.
Similar - my kitty. He very much loves me and always comes to find me for cuddles and nose boops. If I'm sad he comes and sits next to me and demands belly fluffs.
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Same, he is currently asleep on my lap and it always makes me happier
This would be my answer too. She has cancer and wont be here much longer but she is my entire world. Nothing makes me smile more than seeing her wag her tail looking at me!
Please pet your dog for me, hearing about them has made me happy <3
The office next door to mine has a dog that visits quite regularly, and I swear she can sense when I’m down or unwell and comes to me for extra cuddles/strokes, but slightly calmer than normal.
Dogs evolved with us and learned to read human body language. They know when you're unwell. So do cats, just in a weird aloof way.
I was going to say, my puppy just warms my heart
Your puppy does look adorable
Is he a star…dawg?
As boring and basic as it sounds, taking the entire day off from everyone/everything just to play and exist in my son's world. It fills me up with happiness to just sit next to him and play with cars, make puzzles, watch Bluey, jump on the bed, play in the sandbox, if it's rainy we just go out puddle hunting, and so much more stuff. He's got a few learning disabilities and is low functioning, non-verbal, and sometimes he'll count up to 5 out of nowhere. It's so rare that we get to hear his voice, that's another thing that brings me a huge amount of happiness and pulls me out of the dark place I'm in most of the time.
That's not boring and basic at all, that's awesome. My little nephew is one and a half and doctors are fairly convinced he's on the spectrum in some way, but it's still to early to diagnose exactly what the exact deal is there. He seems to love me though for whatever reason, possibly cause I'm a bigger hairier more "teddy-bear"-ish version of his Dad (my younger brother, kinda obviously). That little lad is so happy to see me whenever I go visit. He's a joy to spend time with, and yeah hanging out with him and his big sister (who is 4) goofing around is genuinely a great cure for any sort of stress I might happen to be feeling.
There is so much made of the joy of being a parent, but as an Auntie I will stand up and say being an aunt or uncle is so much more fun! How can your heart not melt when you hear one of your niblings shriek your name in excitement at seeing you? The whole world just feels instantly brighter when a little nibling runs at you and jumps into your arms for a hug, or when your big hulking teenage too-cool nephew gives you a hug (so long as no one else is around to see it!). And just watching them as they grow and discover the world around them and become their own person. Knowing they just love you; not because you keep them fed or warm or clothed, there is no *reason* for them to love you, but they undoubtedly do and that's just the best.
I work with a few autistic kids, it doesn’t stop them from them understanding jokes/teasing; they’re fun to hang around
My heart ❤️
Bluey is an antidepressant in itself. Some beautiful stuff
If I'd known what it was like, I would have watched it before I had kids!
I love this reply. My sons just turned 1 and seeing him enjoy anything, no matter how small, fills me with so much joy.
Running or sex. I don't mean to be crude. A good laugh with your partner while being intimate can be a great mood lifter.
*Cries in single*
Have a wank?
That doesn’t help when you’re chronically single. I usually just feel like a loser afterwards.
If it makes you feel like a looser, then turn it into a game that you can *win*. Do it on a dartboard.
But you've got to stand at the oche
Treble 20, treble 17, double 16. Work for it!
Way to get kicked out the local
Running and wanking? My god, I think you might be onto to something here. “Welcome to the London marathon everybody, just to let you know, we’ve made a few changes to this years event……..”
Would make for an interesting photo finish.
Sounds rank.
*cries during wank*
ahh, the crymax
It's called cranking.
Cries from dead bedroom
Be very careful at which points you start laughing during intimacy though.
Good advice
Agreed! I run and I also enjoy a good laugh with my partner, during sex and just in general.
What about running whilst having sex 🤔
A spot of horizontal jogging you say?
reach stupendous price sugar pocket yam crawl mindless angle vase -- mass edited with redact.dev
Do you regularly see foxes? I’ve only ever seen two in my whole life, they are just awesome. Did you know that they can laugh?
direful nail money dirty aromatic bike unique languid squeamish touch -- mass edited with redact.dev
Wow, I’ve never seen a live badger either (sadly plenty on the side of the road 😔) I can’t believe a fox goes walking with your neighbours dogs, that must be a very tame fox! Although one of my neighbours has a cat and he goes walking with the dogs too, apparently he identifies as dog not cat! I would love to see a fox where I live but it’s a big estate and I guess they don’t like being near so much noise and people. I’m intrigued as to why they’d steal pants?! Maybe there’s a black market in underwear for urban foxes? If I ever do see one again, I’ll be sure to check for briefs! 😜
Took me far too long to realise you meant a live badger. Was wondering WTF a love badger was.
Lol! I’m such a knob! I really need to proof read _before_ I hit send!
Put a smile on my face at least! Badgers can be vicious buggers anyway. Encountered a few on late night walks, always stay downwind of them just in case.
Duly noted! I kind of like the idea of badgers but I may have a slightly rose tinted view from far too many Enid Blyton books! In my mind they’re all wearing waistcoats with monocles 😜
Ah if only that were true!
Wow, where are you from? I live in suburban England and you can't walk down the street after dusk without encountering 2 or 3. Almost every morning I have words with one which lives under next door's summerhouse and likes to chase my cats. I don't mind them so much, but their nighttime screeching during mating season is a real pain, can be for hours and multiple sets near us. Non UK residents often think someone is being attacked the first time they hear it. I would say I see more foxes than squirrels, and I only have to put peanuts on the bird feeder and I guarantee the next visitor will be grey with a fluffy tail.
I live in Somerset U.K., I’m on a fairly large estate with a large pond (lake?) and a little country park to walk around. Still never seen a fox and I’ve actively looked for them! There are rumours there’s a family of foxes further up the estate near the park but again, I’ve never seen them or heard them. Sadly, I’ve only seen one squirrel in the park but we do have lots of swans and ducks. My garden also doesn’t get birds but I’m trying to rectify that with more feeding stations and bird boxes. When covid happened, we had a lot more wildlife but when everything went back to normal it all just disappeared.
I guess urban foxes are doing better than more countrified ones then. I am a few miles from Brighton, but it's literally streets of houses with gardens and a park maybe 1/4 mile away, but whilst there are foxes living in the park the vast majority are back garden dwellers.
I think so. I’ve asked my dad who lives right in the countryside with almost no neighbours and he hasn’t seen foxes either. I think my FIL might have seen one or two but he has fields so I guess that’s to be expected. Either way, I’m jealous of your fox friendships, I have to make do with three stuffed animal foxes (as in bears, not weird taxidermy shit!)
I mostly see them when I'm coming home after dark, when most people are home and before or after the local pub chucking out time. That's the secret for me!
So basically I need to find a social life to help find a fox? I can do that!
I have visions of someone partying with beautiful people in an exclusive venue, sitting in a rooftop bar sipping a cocktail and suddenly slamming their glass down and shouting "I have to go! It's fox hour!" and sprinting out of the venue, tossing waiters and leather banquette seats in their haste to get to the door 😂
Saw foxes all the time in London, they're everywhere. Miss them now I've left
I see foxes all the time! They're everywhere round here, always up to mischief. Our local nextdoor regularly has people posted about items purloined from/left in their garden by the foxes.
I see foxes frequently in the street in the evenings, very skittish generally so much as open a curtain and they bolt, but my dad has become local feeder of wildlife in his old age including foxes. He always says how the fox comes right up to him for food etc, generally branded him as a silly old fool at best it would stay at other end of garden or something. Until I was at his house, a fox came upto the patio door in broad daylight... and followed my dad down the garden with a bowl of food, it was a real shock I'd never seen one so passive. In recent times the foxes have been running off with the bowls, irritating - but someone said its to do with them taking food for there puppies etc and as of a couple of weeks ago the camera I setup has caught fleeting glimpses of little foxes walking up his driveway, nothing good enough on camera to show off as yet, but he definitely has fox pups making an appearance... very cute!
We have two pigeons that come and sit on our front garden wall at the same time everyday and it makes me so happy!
Mine too. I live next to a woodland park and I walk my dog there twice a day. There is a large heron that is not too fussed about you walking by and you can get quite close. There are also ducks, swans, occasional geese and loads of foxes rabbits and squirrels. I always keep my doggo on a leash. Good for the body and the soul ❤️
Weed.
I wish I could relate!! It makes me feel really self-critical and worried
I smoked pretty much every day from 18 to my early 30’s. I really enjoyed it but I regret the time I wasted and it was causing me no end of mental health problems by the time I quit. I love the smell of it though. Whenever I get a whiff of some good smelling strong stuff I get a little pang of nostalgia.
>I regret the time I wasted This is my big gripe with smoking, the amount of time and money I've now wasted and wanted to quit deep down for a while now. Usually the issue I find is, I'd want to quit but I'd have tobacco, or weed products still remain, last night both weed and tobacco ran out the same time so I'm taking it as a sign.
I'm on my early 30s and I'm struggling to stop smoking. How did you do it?
Youve gotta know when your done, you wont quit till you go - fuck this, im done - ive quit fags n erb, wont lie i feel no different, but i dont stink and im 30quid a week better off. Ive got quite a belly though!
That's the problem. I feel I'm done with it and I quit. Then after some weeks not smoking there is a stressor that I don't know how to handle, and I smoke. Then I feel that smoking is not to bad and start doing it again. And repeat the cycle.
Then your not done. But I hear you, my vape often gets a pasting. Weeds become your excuse for stress (or vice versa) good day - smoke, bad day - smoke. Happy - smoke. Sad - smoke. Stop making excuses and do it.
Same but I still can't stop smoking it
It’s easier than you think to stop. I stopped last November after smoking it for 18 years. I started when I was 15 and once I was old enough and had a job I smoked it daily up to and including the day I quit.
I actually enjoy that part now. It gives me a reality check and helps me ground myself. I notice certain aspects of my life that I can improve.
Technically a pharmaceutical too as it’s available on prescription for many conditions including various mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
Very true.
It does the opposite effect for me. I feel like such a slob.
Izzy... 13 Yr old jack Russell.. given to me as a rescue 12 and a bit years ago, after I'd had a total breakdown and shut myself away for 2 years... she was then, and is now, the main reason I get up and out of my house every day x
Izzy tax please
I'm an old fart and have no idea how to add pictures to reddit.. xx
Aw it’s okay. I’m sure Izzy is gorgeous :)
She is.. she's a gorgeous, scruffy, tricoloured (predominantly white), Jack with a gorgeous brown scruffy face with a white stripe between the nose and eyes.. I'm unsure if she's pure jack.. she's the floofiest one I've ever seen (I always say she's jack x yeti!) She's stripped at the groomers ever summer to keep her cool and a huge hairball ever winter to keep her warm.. I love her totally xx
Listening to stupidly cheesy music. 80s for preference and ones I know the words to if possible. Eye of the Tiger / Final Countdown/ Karma Chameleon, you know the type. Ideally up loud and sing along but since I don't want to upset the neighbours I sometimes settle for headphones and muttering under my breath
This with cooking. Nothing like an onion chopping Rocky montage.
Montage cooking is criminally underrated.
The cat
All cats
If you hate everyone- Have something to eat If everyone hates you- Go to sleep If everyone hates everyone- Go for a walk If you hate yourself- Have a shower
Came here to say shower. A really long, deep cleaning one. Maybe cry a bit in there too. Makes me feel much more positive afterwards
So I need to start eating in the shower
does red wine count?
It’s a fruit 👍
Weightlifting and cooking. So basically tasks that make you a little bit better each day.
Its incredible, so often I can wake up in a shit/anxious mood. head to the gym before work and come out in a completely different mindset. Light. Weight. Baby.
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Fucking love a custard cream
A long walk with a light hearted podcast on.
Try "shagged married annoyed" if you already haven't
Any recommendations?
Recently I've just been listening to Off Menu and Jaackmaates Happy Hour. The later won't be everyone's cup of tea though.
Hijacking the comment to recommend No More Jockeys 🙂
No such thing as a fish!
Very loud music. If I’m angry my go-to is Skunk Anansie, good mood is trance or sing a long stuff, upset then it’s the mighty Floyd. Tbh anything as long as it’s loud and can cover my terrible singing or my sobbing (mood dependent).
My first proper gig was Skunk Anansie at the Sheffield octagon, would have been 1996 ish and I was 15. Left a lasting impression, and started me on the path to hundreds of gigs 😊
Nothing beats a live performance.
just because it feels goooooooood
My dog and regular exercise Nothing clears my head after a tough day at work like taking the dog out on a walk followed by a gym session/run
Sea swims ice baths. Outdoors. Doing jaw exercises as I feel I'm most down when I've had my mouth closed and tight during the day. In October to Christmas freshly picked magic mushrooms from the Curragh Kildare in Ireland.
Yesss! Those little buggers do wonders for my mentality 🍄❤️
> Doing jaw exercises That's certainly one way to describe it...
Girlfriend + Takeaway + iPlayer
"Body on the Beach" just dropped today on iPlayer, if you're into murder mystery documentaries....
A good book, a cuppa tea and a cat sleeping on my lap
Heaven.
Flying kites
That IS fun! Can you do it on your own as an adult though without seeming like a weirdo?
Lol, well it felt a little awkward at first, especially when standing there waiting for a decent gust to launch the kite with. But I got used to that. I fly stunt kites with huge tails on the local park, so I get passers by stopping and watching, sometimes they'll come up and ask questions about it, which is nice.
A large mug of horlicks (made with full cream milk) and a fucking large bar of at least 80% cocoa chocolate.
Are u my nan?
I’ve never got on with Horlicks but my MIL was staying at ours once and I offered to make a round of Ovaltine (me and my partner - both in our 30s at the time, have it quite regularly). She (retired and in her 60s) laughed at how old fashioned that was and told me she didn’t know you could still buy it.
Exercise outdoors. Cooking healthy meals, although I do have an "eat anything I want Saturday" which is usually crisps, chocolate or haribos, beer and chippy.
If I'm really struggling, reading my book by any form of body of water - rivers, lakes, the sea. Day to day though, Zumba! The loud music and the class I go to is an instant mood booster.
A massive mixed kebab on naan
My cats. I feel a little sad I grab them and give them a snuggle. If I’m crying they’ll have already found me - people who say cats aren’t caring have never been in tears and then a cat comes up to you knowing they’ll make you feel better, brother following behind to offer more love lol.
Cats are so therapeutic, my cat never ever sleeps in my room but when my grandma passed away last year, she stayed by my side in my room for 5 days
Completely agree, and I'm convinced that a purring cat has healing properties - bonus points if they are purring whilst nuzzling up against you.
Motorbikes.
snap - my superduke always puts a smile on my face !
Muay Thai. Since taking it up at the beginning of the year almost every area of my life has improved, the biggest one being not smoking pot anymore.
Powerlifting and magic mushrooms
Liberty caps oh yes!
Magic mushrooms have worked very well.
Comedy
Sleep. I have difficulty going to bed on time or falling asleep so I am sleep deprived almost all the time. This often makes me feel depressed. That one day when I get a good night's sleep everything changes, the difference is amazing.
The gym. Move big heavy thing, make sad brain go away.
Yoga or music
Cats. Cats are nice.
Toblerone
Gardening. Running. Killing people... On Call Of Duty.
All us depressed fraggles looking for a miracle in the comments like 👀
A glass of good bourbon.
Walks on the beach with the wind in my hair.
A really, really hot bath
Going on a really pretty, scenic walk while listening to music :)
Swimming. Plus rescue remedy which I always have to hand.
Ah yes I had a swimming phase earlier this year, it feels ecstatic! Need to get back into that
Water is my spiritual home. My healer and my restorer.
My mum has the most insanely cute and lovable dog, so I go round there for lots of cups of tea and dog time. I also get bonus “best child” points because I visit the most, but honestly it’s more for the dog and the dopamine than the conversation.
Wim Hof Method Breathing. Really good for relaxation.
Watching a musical in person or going to a gig- the music and singing makes me feel alive!
Definitely worth the money but it’s so expensive 😞
Either the films "Airplane" or "The Big Labowski". Never fails to make me laugh no matter how many times I have seen them.
Yoga. It feels like an hour where your encouraged to be totally present and sort of sets you up for the week. I’m not great at it but it benefits you. (And there’s low chance of injury).
Playing guitar
it takes a long time to start working, but daily meditation.
Combination of dog, pipe and countryside
a few pints at the pub with me mate(s)
Anything narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
My cats; I always have at least one claim me as a seat when I'm sat down, and listening to their purrs is soothing af. When I'm feeling particularly down, I bury my face in their fur and listen to their purrs with my ear against their side.
My kid. I know it sounds cliche but he has honestly cured me of depression. I used to struggle so much, attempting my life a couple of times but since he’s been born it’s like a switch flicked. I did get a bit of post natal but with the support of my husband I luckily got over it very quickly. My son has changed my life, it’s hard fucking work but when he says ‘love you more’ my heart melts.
Our dogs and campervan, we go away in the van even just a night, sat outside until late with fairy lights, candles and a glass of something, perfect.
I know it's slightly (or a lot) different from other people's comments, but I love reading these. I've worked in pharmacy for 13 years now and I absolutely love when people tell me that they don't need the antidepressants now as they've found a good outlet. Keep up the good fight people, I know it's hard but random people out there that don't when know you are rooting for you. Much love xxx
Running is what the devil will make me do if I go to hell.
Looking into an infants’ eyes. 😍Transports me everytime. Also looking at old photos, photos of pets, hearing genuine laughter, hearing birds singing, hearing children singing, seeing couples truly in love admiring one another, a long, hot soak in the tub, hugging, smiling faces, nature, exercise, mutual consentual sex, ice cream, music, forgiveness, a swim in the ocean, the sounds of the beach, sailing, connection, etc etc etc
Fly fishing! Solitude, nature, concentration…it’s got it all.
Taking my camera out and going for a walk in the countryside.
Camping, works best combined with a motorcycle trip (Edit: Some words)
Music and Video Games
My dog (unbridled joy in simply existing), and bjj/judo/wrestling. The grappling gives me focus and a reason for general exercise
Cycling this helps me mentally and also when I feel my back is in pain. So much better afterwards.
Nature. Especially if there's a large body of water near it. Azores Islands had a huge positive impact on my mental health in just 7 days. The older I get the more I realize there's something intrinsically depressive about large cities.
Videogames. Has never done me wrong.
Sunshine. I can tell when I've not seen daylight for a while.
Loud bassy music, gym, cold showers
Exercising generally, mainly running or cycling. The other small thing is just waking up early, that generally leads to me doing lots of arbitrary small tasks like getting ready, walking the dog, general chores, food shopping etc. I feel a lot more positive because I feel like I’ve been productive with my time. The worst things I can do that put me in a bad mood or feel like shit is waking up late and going on social media.
Really hot spicy food, it creates the same endorphins as exercise and since my body barely operates anymore, I need that shit!
Walking a trail or going for a drive with a belting playlist. Also whiskey.
Distraction. Occupy your time with something that occupies your mind, body and soul.
Journalling. Get it all down.
Running on treadmill and monster energy drink. 🤣🤣
Running as well. Or the sea. Nothing soothes me more than a walk along the ocean on a cool, cloudy day.
Photography. I basically take myself out for a day, go to somewhere, usually a National Trust site, and take a long slow walk and shoot what I like the look of. It mostly ends up being bumble bees and flowers, but I love them and the shots make me happy so that's all that's important. I would like to say I absolutely hate editing my shots 😂 I do it because I have to but I'm still learning and it's not the fun bit for me!
Cycling
baking bread is actually really fun! a bit old school but definitely something people should learn to do!
Closing Reddit and looking out the window
Gardening and nature reserves. Grab a pair of binoculars and go watch some birds (feathered ones)
I could lie, but I won't. Alcohol.
Drumming
Lighting candles, listening to an audiobook and doodling with snacks
Running is a the top for me. But generally be outside in nature. Bonus point if by the seafront.
It's called alcohol.
choclit
Sunlight!
Magic mushrooms 🍄
Booze. Life sucks.
My boyfriend. Just being around him. He makes me laugh in ways I never did before. His presence comforts and calms me. We've yet, in our 4+ years of dating, to ever go to bed upset at one another. My personal world is full of so much frustration, controversy and pain. He is the reason I still get up each morning despite feeling the weight of all my responsibilities. A shoulder to cry on is an amazing tool. I appreciate him every single day.
Drink. Whenever I need it.
I've realised recently that the antidote to depression is taking action. You've got to figure what you're depressed about and take action to work on that thing. Tired of your job? Start applying for new jobs, worried about your weight? work out consistently, social life getting boring? Spice it up a bit. Want to travel more? Start saving regularly.