General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: My Problem: Any Thoughts Appreciated [View all]TygrBright
(20,759 posts)During that week, take lots of walks outdoors.
If possible, at least once a day stop in a coffee shop and chat cheerfully with the baristas, and smile at a couple of customers. If you bought a coffee, sit and drink it while looking around and finding five things that are kinda cool to look at.
Make yourself at least one nice meal a day.
Phone and talk voice-to-voice with an elderly relative. See if you can make them laugh.
Depending on where you live and what your preferences are, work a challenging jigsaw puzzle, clean out a garden bed for spring, make a bird house, or other absorbing activity that has a "result".
Go to bed early every night. If you have insomnia, don't kick yourself around... watch the moon, read a little poetry, make a cup of chamomile tea, go back to bed, rinse, repeat.
Walk the dog or play with the cat every day. If you don't have a furry buddy, visit a dog park and offer to throw sticks or tennis balls for a worn-out dog mom/dad. Make friends with a couple of the friendliest puppers you see.
Be an audience at least once, for something. A school play, a lecture at the library, a free concert at the park, whatever. Notice the people in the audience with you. What do you think their lives and problems are like? Smile if they catch you looking.
Practice healing breathing in the morning and the evening. Just a few breaths, consciously, mindfully, slowly taken, held briefly, fully exhaled. Concentrate on the sensation.
Don't worry. While you're doing all this, we'll keep the shit show going, run around in circles, scream, shout, put out the fires in each others' hair, etc. and it will all still be here when/if you get back.
helpfully,
Bright