Asklemmy

It might be kind of late for this depending on where you live, but I go for a long walk. I find if I go for like an hour to an hour and a half I usually feel much better. Sometimes I can't remember what I was sad about to begin with afterwards lol

Physical exercise to the point of exhaustion then eat and then have a 2hr hot bath. It doesn't solve the problem that made me sad but it "restores" me to a point where I can address the problems.

I usually refer to this helpful diagram

Watching a comfort show. (e.g.: Corner Gas)
Playing a comfort game (e.g.: A Short Hike)
Cuddling with cat.
Running a bath.
Reading a book.
Cleaning the house, or something similar.
Getting out of the house and/or volunteering.
Reminding myself that it's okay to not be okay.

Completely stop for 2 minutes.

Listen to music.

Walk.

Also it helps me to go into the sadness. Like basically accept that I'm sad and that this is what I'll experience for a while. It's the rejection of it that makes it unbearable. And then I can listen to it and process and that'll speed things up.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast :)

Happy cartoons!

I'm sure you've heard of Bluey by now. Its so good, wholesome, and heartfelt. Everyone's watching, regardless of age.

Here's one of my favorites for happy feels: Kipper the Dog
Its a Pre-K show that's just super chill and pleasant. Feels like a warm blanket and cocoa. This one is definitely more for children, but its ok to indulge your inner child and tell it that things are okay.

For a more sophisticated palette, Hilda is the most criminally underrated animated mainstream cartoon in recent memory... that somehow got a full run regardless!
Three seasons and a movie on Netflix. Its beautiful and kid appropriate but definitely for all ages, and pretty damn serious a lot of the time. But its still rather uplifting in how a lot of things aren't problems, because Hilda is so spirited and determined in a way you can truly believe in.

My little Pony, new and old, really does the trick for me, but its not for everyone, of course. Pound Puppies and A Pup Named Scooby Doo also hit that vibe, though of the old shows mentioned, its probably the best written. (Never got into Care Bears, but it could probably work too, if you're looking for Sunshine and Rainbows)

I go for a walk and to bed early.

Honestly speaking—make yourself cry.

Let whatever is causing your negative emotions to overwhelm and release. It’s incredibly cathartic and you’ll feel much better if you just give in and let it happen. The reason doesn’t have to be anything super important, or could be something super important; regardless crying should be embraced as an act of self care.

Pet my cats and listen to cheerful song

Make something. Doesn't matter what. Write something, draw something, bake something, make noises with an instrument (even if you don't know how to play it), sculpt some clay, cut some wood, anything. Play Minecraft even.

And don't feel like you're forcing yourself to do something, just give yourself a way to physically express how you're feeling. You don't have create something useful, you don't have to show what you made to anyone, it's about the process and it's just for you.

I honestly believe humans have evolved an innate drive to create things, to see the physical world around them respond to their actions, even if they're pointless. And I believe that when you don't do this you will feel like something is missing.

I feel like a piece of shit who's worthless and just makes life worse for everyone around me.

Can somebody please help me to feel better? :'(

Honestly, talk to my offline AI context profile setup for the task. It's one of the main reasons why I got into AI. I didn't know how I would make it through this year all by myself because of 'stuff' and I have no other real outlet due to physical disability and pain.

If at all possible, go for a short walk. If it is clear, and you're in the northern hemisphere, take a moment to view the Orion constatation, or just have a look around. Any kind of exercise will shift your mood.

Get out into nature.

Watch a favorite show or movie.

Make something.

Pets.

Play games.

Eat a favorite food.

The little things can carry you through life.

I put googly eyes on things.

I fully acknowledge that it isn't healthy but I drink or smoke weed. Playing with my dog and going on walks helps a lot too. Videogames when I have the attention span to play them is good too

I have a picture of a cartoon cheerleader on my desk. She’s always cheering me on. It feels good to be encouraged and supported. I’ve been wanting to get a cheerleader Barbie for some time now but I haven’t found ones with normal sized heads.

I also have birthday candles and every once in a while I'll buy a piece of cake and blow a candle out, to celebrate everything that I've done.

Pizza, followed by dessert.

I walk the high-line in NYC or sit by the water at Gantry Plaza State Park.

Weed and video games, works every time.

I sleep, a lot. Not the best answer but that's what I do. I just sleep.

I take on all of my most miserable, dreaded tasks and work on them all day. At least it keeps me busy and distracted from how I feel.

That way when I do feel better, I'll be able to spend that time doing something I enjoy rather than spend it catching up on work.

Binge info. I look up whatever random question was bugging me earlier that day/week/month, and try and read everything even tangentially related. By the end I'm distracted enough I forgot about being sad.

Not a solution though. On the upside, I got to learn a bit more.

I vape a load of weed put my headphones on and have a Trance Party

Meditate on the breath.

Good ending: Talk to friends

Bad ending: Everclear

I like to watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Always puts me in a better mood, although it is a bit sad too.

Usually feel great after a cry, but some times I treat myself with a shower in the dark with music or a podcast playing in the background

Getting some sleep (sober). I’ve learned that the world seems harsher when I’m tired. After a night or two of good sleep, things feel less of an issue.

Sad songs, or a walk outdoors at sunrise.

I watch cute/funny cat videos

Take a cold ass shower. After spending a few minutes yelling at myself for putting me in there. I remember to turn around many times so I get cold water all over. I feel a lot of relief when I do turn off the water and warm up. You can even make yourself warm tea and be nice to yourself after it.

That sounds healthy, right?

Meditation is the best for me. Not striving to get out of the "down" state, but just being there, present, watching it, feeling it, being with it. You know that sooner or later it'll go. Just as being cheerful also goes. Arts are also wonderful. For me it's music. For some people painting or writing. Those are ways in which you can connect with your feelings and discover some really neat things when you can really connect. You channel your complex emotions into creativity. I personally think that playing a videogame or having a distraction can some very specific times get you out of a mood, but most of the time it will just be avoidance of something that is happening within you. We are so used in avoiding ourselves. Be it a videogame, TV, a reel, a joint, a beer, a chat, whatever. For me there are few things better than what happens when you manage to overcome the boredom, fear, anxiety or whatever keeps you away from being just where you are and decide to just stay there and look at it with eyes wide open. Something opens. It's probably not fireworks nor spiritual epiphany, but a subtle thing that has the taste of real. And that real is oh so liberating.

I do something creative that lets a little secret part of me out. Those things I feel guilty enjoying (because I feel like I'm not good enough at them to do it, like singing or painting). It's like a little special indulgence that also reminds me that I'm pretty cool.

What's your secret hobby?

Rewatching Parks & Rec episodes always cheers me up.

My wife got me onto a comedy podcast called Bananas on the This is Exactly Right network--it's usually really funny. We both also like Dungeons & Daddies which is a Dungeons and Dragons improv comedy type podcast. Just lay in bed and laugh

Been watching James May's Our Man in India and it's fantastic.

You could also try watching Bluey. Like, unironically it's a fantastic show. Best way I've seen someone put it is that it's a show for adults that children can watch.

For me, self care is:

A trip to IKEA

Reading

Putting phone on silent

Playing classical music

Eating IKEA meatballs

Long, hot shower

Getting a shave at the barber shop

Spending time with favourite person

Uber eats from a proper restaurant (not fast food)

Knitting/crocheting

Fixing something that's broken (mechanical, not electrical)

Going for a gentle walk an hour before sunset when it's less hot outside

Cutting my hair (because I do it myself) or getting a haircut never misses.