Positive Actions!

[SobriaInebrietas]

So I thought I would just ask some questions to start people talking in here. I also thought it would be a nice way could encourage and support each other...

So, when was the last time that you did something positive to make yourself feel better when you were having difficult moods? Or when was the last time that you decided to do something positive instead of acting out or self-injuring? What was it? Did it help?

Last night I was feeling very depressed and started to cry, and I knew that if I didn't take control of it, I would probably keep crying for hours like I usually do. Instead, I started to draw, and by the time I was done I felt a lot better. I was in a great mood all night.

Anyone else?



Erin

 

[goldenviolet]

this is a lovely thread. i pray your thread topic gets super popular.

 

[jess144]

Something that I have started doing before I go to sleep each day is journaling all the things that I was thankful for for that day. It cultivates an "attitude of gratitude." I've become good at spotting and taking advantage of small blessings throughout the day (like today I watched some pigeons playing in the sprinklers outside of my apartment).
Exercising (running specifically) is another positive action for me.
I am also trying to learn to discipline my thoughts. I can get into such a negative rut where I ruminate on all the things that I think are wrong with me. I want to start thinking more positive thoughts.
That's all I have for now!

 

[AnointedPoetess]

I think for me its journaling and music.

 

[SobriaInebrietas]

Something that I have started doing before I go to sleep each day is journaling all the things that I was thankful for for that day. It cultivates an "attitude of gratitude." I've become good at spotting and taking advantage of small blessings throughout the day (like today I watched some pigeons playing in the sprinklers outside of my apartment).
Exercising (running specifically) is another positive action for me.
I am also trying to learn to discipline my thoughts. I can get into such a negative rut where I ruminate on all the things that I think are wrong with me. I want to start thinking more positive thoughts.
That's all I have for now!

That's awesome! I get into those negative ruts sometimes too (I know I need to work on thinking more positive and being more thankful for all the little things in life that I usually take for granted), and I would really like to do something like that, but I am really really bad at keeping a journal. I like to write, but most of the time it is just spontaneous nonsense poetry or something like that. I have no discipline to write with a purpose every day like that (I really just lack focus in everything I do, actually).

But I also exercise too! In fact last night, I was starting to get in a bad depressed mood again, and I just exercised for about an hour, and after I was done it was completely gone! It's amazing how good exercise can make you feel! And it keeps you in good shape and everything, so it can help out with self-esteem too. I am trying to do it every day. My husband reminds me when I forget or get distracted.



Erin

 

[SobriaInebrietas]

I think for me its journaling and music.

Music is amazingly theraputic, whether your playing or listening. Do you play any instruments?

I play the guitar and the piano a little. I also have an autoharp that I break out every now and then.



Erin

 

[AnointedPoetess]

Music is amazingly theraputic, whether your playing or listening. Do you play any instruments?

I play the guitar and the piano a little. I also have an autoharp that I break out every now and then.



Erin

Hehehe that was funny about how u break out your autoharp. Nope i dont play any instruments but i love listening to others play the organ, keyboard, and piano! Oh and also the guitar. I agree with u on music being theraputic. I love listening to music. My fav kinds is christian and gospel.

 

[Protinus]

I would think that exercise would have profound effect on mood and especially if you are goal oriented, that is, training for a race, running for a physical benefit like cancer or even competition. I also think that we are unique as beings in that we we enjoy praise and it is good to receive compliments. I think that if you do a few good things that you know that you are not going to be noticed for, each day, then I really think this helps esteem and mood at the same time.

For it is your name we pray Lord, bless our struggling members as they gain strength and sustain them so that they may help others. Help them to know themselves for it is this way that they will discover the contents of their hearts and thereby know your Grace.
Amen

 

[NeedingMercy]

I too am a "runner". I use a run/walk method and it really helps me out. Yesterday morning, I was in a pretty lousy mood. I went out and did 5 miles and felt better for the rest of the day.

My wife & daughter are going out of town this weekend (they just left 20 minutes ago). I'm planning on running every day so that I can start the day out right. I'm planning on staying in motion as much of the weekend as possible in order to stay out of the funk. We've got a worship "only" service tonight. I've also scheduled a guys-night-out tomorrow night. Then Sunday after church, we have a picnic. I'm hoping that there will be enough social activities between these 3 things to keep me "up" until they get back. It's way too easy to hide in my den and pretend that the world doesn't exist, at least on a personal level.

Anyway, go to go run.

Godspeed All!
Ed

 

[SobriaInebrietas]

I too am a "runner". I use a run/walk method and it really helps me out. Yesterday morning, I was in a pretty lousy mood. I went out and did 5 miles and felt better for the rest of the day.

My wife & daughter are going out of town this weekend (they just left 20 minutes ago). I'm planning on running every day so that I can start the day out right. I'm planning on staying in motion as much of the weekend as possible in order to stay out of the funk. We've got a worship "only" service tonight. I've also scheduled a guys-night-out tomorrow night. Then Sunday after church, we have a picnic. I'm hoping that there will be enough social activities between these 3 things to keep me "up" until they get back. It's way too easy to hide in my den and pretend that the world doesn't exist, at least on a personal level.

Anyway, go to go run.

Godspeed All!
Ed

That's inspiring Ed! I think I would really go insane if I tried to fit that much social activity into one weekend! But maybe I just haven't reached that level of personal security yet.

Anyhow, I think I am going to try to fit running into my exercise program this weekend. I have never tried it before, but since everyone seems to like it, I think I will.



Erin

 

[madison1101]

My positive behaviors I call self-soothing. I listen to Christian praise music, journal, exercise, read upllifting books, do Bible study, clean, call friends, go for walks, etc.

Marsha Linehan has written a whole list of behaviors for making me feel good in her book for DBT.

Hugs,
trish

 

[SobriaInebrietas]

My positive behaviors I call self-soothing. I listen to Christian praise music, journal, exercise, read upllifting books, do Bible study, clean, call friends, go for walks, etc.

Marsha Linehan has written a whole list of behaviors for making me feel good in her book for DBT.

Hugs,
trish

That sounds really helpful. What is the book called?



Erin

 

[madison1101]

That sounds really helpful. What is the book called?



Erin

Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder, by Marsha Linehan.

The whole book is for borderline patients in recovery. At the back of the book are pages of self-soothing/coping activities.

 

[AnointedPoetess]

Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder, by Marsha Linehan.

The whole book is for borderline patients in recovery. At the back of the book are pages of self-soothing/coping activities.

I have one also it's called Depressed & Anxious, The Dialectical Behavior Therapy workbook for overcoming depression and anxiety, by Thomas Marra.

I love self soothing! LOL

 

[lmarie23]

So, when was the last time that you did something positive to make yourself feel better when you were having difficult moods? Or when was the last time that you decided to do something positive instead of acting out or self-injuring? What was it? Did it help?


Erin

I've been feeling kind of down lately, and stressed about things, so I'm trying to schedule in fun things to do as breaks from the stressful things. I've also been trying to take the initiative to find fun things to do and invite friends along, instead of waiting for people to invite me to things. So I invited two friends to go with me to see the musical of "The Sound of Music" Friday. We had a lovely time.

Then today a coworker was telling me about how they were having church in the park again tonight, and instead of just nodding and smiling about it, I asked her more questions, found out that a bluegrass band was performing, and called a friend on my break to invite her to it. My friend invited more friends, and we had this whole group of friends out in the park enjoying the food and music the church provided. Another lovely evening. My one friend, who is learning to play the banjo, even talked to the banjo player in the bluegrass group and he offered to give her banjo lessons! For free!

And now I'm home and depression is trying to attack me but I'm just trying to remember the really happy times I've had lately. And focus on the truths about things I know deep down.

Lynne

 

[Protinus]

keep your connections going Lynne!!

 

[Ave Maria]

Music is amazingly theraputic, whether your playing or listening. Do you play any instruments?

I play the guitar and the piano a little. I also have an autoharp that I break out every now and then.



Erin

Yes indeed! I love music!