DISCLAIMER: this isn’t a substitute for therapy and/or medication. Sometimes therapy isn’t accessible. Sometimes we have a bad week and need to recenter ourselves.
I think we can learn from each other and find methods we didn’t even know about! What’s helpful to another may be ineffective to another, and I think learning about an array of methods would be valuable.
What’s been helpful for me:
- Spending time in nature
- Journaling (I would google journal prompts pertaining to my predicaments)
- Guided meditations on Youtube
- Free worksheets: https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheets (my therapist who specialized in CBT used some of these during our sessions, I’m glad they’re free)
Bicycling by far!
You can get a cheap used bike if you don’t want to nerd out about parts etc.
The way my mind is cleared when I’m going for a ride is something that I have not achieved by any other means. Also the mood boost lasts quite a while for me.
Just make sure the bike fits your body and also get a helmet.
- Singing
- Crying it out
- Journaling
- Getting enough sleep
- Spending time in the sun
- choosing to avoid arguments
Lemme toss in here the symptom management checklist in DBT:
- Take your meds on time, as per directed.
- Sleep eight hours a day (or the amount that works for you.)
- Eat square meals on a consistent schedule. Most of us work with three, with light snacking. Stay fluidated.
- Get some exercise, a bit of moving about should do (say a walk around the block).
- Engage in some social contact, ideally with a friend or loved one with whom you’re not dealing with immediate drama.
Doing these things consistently should reduce the likelihood of your symptoms getting unmanageable (mileage will vary).
For me it was helpful to start running :)
Baking has been really good for me. Also I love hot water, but dont have a usable bathtub, so I got myself a shower chair. It’s so relaxing.
Every evening I go for a walk. The fresh air nd bird sightings are as good for me as the exercise.