How to make yourself feel better if you're feeling down

[Valley]

Dwelling on 'problems' too much can easily cause ourselves to be stressed out, but when we start dwelling on solutions we will quickly feel much better...and we'll get much more accomplished too.

I learned this simple technique after realizing that I was stressing myself out by thinking about someone else's difficulties too much, or thinking about my own too much.

So the 'solution' I realized was basically to stop the mind from running around in circles, which was creating 'storms' of stressed-out feelings/emotions. The 'fix' was to start thinking about what I can do right now to keep moving forward on some long-term projects... or any small, short-term projects that I see will make an improvement in my life or another's.

Another similar option is to take time out regularly to do something you enjoy, even if it's just going for a walk, taking a bath, or some other physical activity.

[Daozen]

Good advice. When I walk around and I see pollution, cars, noise, traffic... I imagine how the city could be better in 10 years. I visualize a homeless guy working in a solar panel factory, I imagine the cars electric, or that we have free (human driven) taxis everywhere. I imagine plants and fruits growing in hydroponic pods in run down areas. Then I ask myself what small step I can take to build a world like that. This exercise stops me getting overwhelmed, and keeps me sane.

Another powerful trick is to listen to music from your youth. It's supposed to be a cure for depression.

[Valley]

Good advice. When I walk around and I see pollution, cars, noise, traffic... I imagine how the city could be better in 10 years. I visualize a homeless guy working in a solar panel factory, I imagine the cars electric, or that we have free (human driven) taxis everywhere. I imagine plants and fruits growing in hydroponic pods in the run down areas. Then I ask myself what small step I can take to build a world like that. This exercise stops me getting overwhelmed, and keeps me sane.

Another powerful trick is to listen to music from your youth. It's supposed to be a cure for depression.

That's a fantastic visualization exercise you do...I'm gonna do more like that now too. I've also found that simply visualizing something to happen can actually make it happen many times... I've done a lot of that over the past several years after realizing that it was working astonishingly well.

I love the music listening tool you mentioned too...I've been doing a lot of singing this past year too, & that definitely 'does the trick' as well :sing:
:highfive:

[sunwings]

Another powerful trick is to listen to music from your youth. It's supposed to be a cure for depression.

So true!

I once got so angry in a Bar watching a game of football that my team couldn´t win, when a guy next to me said SURRENDER. You are not going to win. Just surrender!

The choices many of us make on this forum make living in the physical 3D world difficult. Many of us choice not to sell out but to try a new path.

I don´t own my own house, have a poor paying job, 20 year old car, two kids and a future of real uncertainty.

I don´t have what I want but maybe I have what I need . I just surrender when i get worked up about my 3D reality. I don´t have it.

My wife is ill and I don´t stop with the chores and kids and work. I could get angry but I just surrender. It is what it is. No point getting angry, get on with it and it feels great!

Maybe someone could explain why that´s the case but I love my life, I love who I am. I love what I do but only because i surrender.

https://cdn.meme.am/cache/instances/folder276/500x/62198276/white-flag-i-surrender.jpg

[Valley]

My wife is ill and I don´t stop with the chores and kids and work. I could get angry but I just surrender. It is what it is. No point getting angry, get on with it and it feels great!

Maybe someone could explain why that´s the case but I love my life, I love who I am. I love what I do but only because i surrender.

Thanks for sharing this. I think the reason why you're doing so well under the circumstances is because you not only surrendered to the present moment, but that you also... "get on with it and it feels great" like you say.

The ones who struggle the most I've seen are the ones who think about & talk about 'problems' or difficulties a lot. Once you start taking action in a proactive fashion, you are doing something productive and this makes us feel good because we know we're doing good work. Also the energy of others we are helping is making us feel good, because they appreciate what we do and we feel their energy too. (I know I do)

[Bubu]

One thing that most people overlook is that mind body and spirit (energetic make up of the matter) is integral. It affects one another. one must maintain a reasonably healthy body mind and spirit. go play soccer or call a friend, so many simple things that we normally neglect because we have TV's and PC's and fake news and articles to entertain us.

Balance everything and then never lose site of every persons ultimate goal, which is to feel good or be happy, every action of every person has this as ultimate goal we simply forget most of the time because of the brainwashing.

[norman]

https://scontent.fman2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p417x417/13346736_10153888106703172_266119186329892112_n.png?oh=cd12cec92d16ae1af7b1494859b9710c&oe=59DC062B

[dynamo]

...Another powerful trick is to listen to music from your youth. It's supposed to be a cure for depression.
Agreed...my AM radio is on an oldies station every chance I get.

[Atlas]

https://www.quotemaster.org/images/fe/fed74e68ed62257a790c3db9fa074c0c.jpg

[Valley]

Excellent comments.

I also learned another very simple tool that can almost instantly clear much uneasiness in the mind and body... And that is to relax and roll the head back and around in a complete circle in one direction...then back & around the other direction.

I've been using this technique for around 25 years to get clear and relaxed if I ever feel uneasy or unsettled in any way...and it always works.

[Dylansdad]

...Another powerful trick is to listen to music from your youth. It's supposed to be a cure for depression.
Agreed...my AM radio is on an oldies station every chance I get.

Sometimes "oldies" can bring up sad memories. Even the term "nostalgia" can be bitter-sweet as we regret that past good times are long gone. I found the solution by putting my radio on a classical music station. The music is always so beautiful and at times delicate, with wonderful intricate music that has a strong theme. I especially love harp music. I was surprised at how many classical numbers include lovely harp accompaniment. I have found after listening to this channel in the background for a month now, I feel much more peaceful.

[Valley]

That's great to hear Dylansdad. Music without words can really help us to get out of our inner mental 'chatter', I think, & probably helps a lot with our creative imagination too.

Harp music is exceptionally beautiful & I've even heard of people being spontaneously healed from physical illnesses while listening to it.

[conk]

Remember the old adage, what you resist persists. Dwelling on something you dislike is only feeding that thing. Mother Teresa declined an invitation to an Anti-war rally, saying that if they hold a peace rally she'd be glad to join in. Think of the world as you want it to be and ignore it as it is (presuming you're not in immediate danger). Doazen has it figured out!