41 Things To Do When You’re Feeling Depressed
by Dan Miranda on June 10, 2009
in General
Recently I was feeling a tad bit down for no reason whatsoever. I couldn’t understand why. It was just one of those days, we’ve all had them at some point. So from here on out I thought it would be great to have a list to turn whenever I felt that way again:
- Taste nature.
- Listen to your favorite song.
- Take a walk down a winding road.
- Do something you are exceptionally good at.
- Eat.
- Watch the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.
- Read this post.
- Be yourself.
- Forget to make your bed.
- Read a nice comment about yourself.
- Sleep until you wake up.
- Jog it out.
- Punch a punching bag.
- Smell flowers.
- Be thankful.
- Talk to someone you love talking to.
- Look for inspiration.
- Believe in yourself.
- Smile.
- Look at some beautiful pictures.
- Make your dreams a reality.
- Be funny.
- Write for yourself or an audience.
- Do something silly that won’t get you in trouble.
- Wake up to see the sun rise.
- Sing along to a catchy song.
- Watch YouTube videos endlessly.
- Imitate a close friend.
- Solve a problem.
- Be simple.
- StumbleUpon gold.
- Put effort into your life.
- Hum.
- Take a hot shower.
- Watch a feel-good romance movie.
- Talk to yourself.
- Be a fundraiser.
- Write a song.
- Live in the moment.
- Strive toward success.
- Write a list of 40 things that make you happy.
Can you think of any more? Feel free to share in the comments section below!
Great list Dan! I especially like number 39. Your exceptionally smart for someone so young. Keep playing pacman
What a great list! You have some really great and unique ideas here. Next time I’m feeling down I’m definitely going to come over here and get some ideas to perk me up!
All good things to consider when you are feeling a little down. For me personally, I actually make the bed, rather than forget. The more clean and orderly things are, the better I usually feel. So maybe cleaning your house could be added to the list!
An excellent list, Dan. If the depression doesn’t lift within a few hours to a week or so, it may be time to talk to a counselor. It’s normal to feel “blue” now and then. It’s normal to be bored out of your mind, or to feel irritable, or to have a sudden urge to punch a wall. But when nothing on your list can make you feel better, or if your moods start fluctuating wildly for no particular reason, it’s probably time to seek help.
Conan’s the greatest! Circle circle circle!
On number 27, I would say: Watch iSofa.tv videos endlessly.
Hey Dan,
Great list man!!! I never thought I would be listening to a 13 year old, but I must admit, I was wrong. Keep up the good content!!!
Sal
Great list; love using numbers 2, 12, 16, 20 & 35 but think I number 9 & 11 are just brilliant and something I’ll try next time I “have the blues” – thanks – great list; very good to read
Thanks!
Amazing. Almost makes me want to become depressed!
Bud – Living in the moment is so important. The post David, on Raptitude.com made is an even more important read. So inspirational, really such a great post.
Positively Present – Not to sound like a naive marketer, but I find it really helps when I stumble a post. I eventually come back to it and is a great way for me to reconnect with posts I’ve previously read.
Sean – The problem when I tidy up my bed is that I sometimes feel as if I’m trying too hard to be happy, which results in a negative effect. Sounds stupid, but that’s just me.
Holly – Always appreciate your comments. You add a very important fact, if nothing on this list can get you to motivate yourself to happiness, try seeking help. And I only mean that in the most professional way possible. Psychiatrists are health specialists, not only for those who have actual brain problems.
Benny – I agree. Conan is the real deal.
Bruno - That works too. Haven’t checked out iSofa.tv but now it looks like I have to. Ha-ha, of course the first video that pops up is a guy bouncing a soccer ball off the goalies head. I love this place.
Renee – Sometimes being lazy is best for some of us. Don’t think Sean would agree, but nonetheless, it makes me feel happier just to sit around and do nothing.
Yu-kai - WARNING: if this list has provoked you to become depressed, read the list again. (Double negative = positive
)
You are feeling depressed because of the big amount of hormones in your system. Its totally normal.
best wishes
Ha, I disagree. I think everyone has some time when they are just feeling down. That was one of those times for me.
This gave me a good laugh. Good list, dude!
Glad to hear, Bamboo. Tried to mix humor with actual suggestions.
Amazing post. Its always good to have something like this to sneak a peak at when feeling down. Recently I have found that when feeling depressed/sad its best to just get on with something and put 100% or as much focus into it as you can. This can be something like tidying your room, writing some letters, planning a trip, calling a friend or just taking a walk and admiring nature. I also like to listen to podcasts when bored…..
Depression in my experience comes from too much inward thinking. Once you involve yourself in something bigger than yourself the dark cloud soon lifts. We can never feel perfect but we can always take charge of our actions…..
Keep up the great blogging!
Yes, Chris, that was precisely my goal behind the forty one items – to inspire action. The problem with giving 100% is that you are prone to failing and once you do fail, you are merely devastated.
I do, however, agree with you that inward thinking is the cause behind depression. Being apart of something for the greater good is important as well.
You too!
I slept until I woke up the other day. It felt great. Then again, I do that every day.
How does that work out for you J.D? You must always be happy, right?
Hey Dan!!
Really cool list. i like the way you mixed it up a lil and made it fresh, instead of just a bunch of personal development cliches
love number 6. conan = legend.
number 26 too. when my buddies and i go out to party, the thing that gets us in the best mood is just singing random songs. wonderwall by oasis rocks, as does “no woman no cry” by my homeboy bob marley
number 41 made me smile too.
i think more than anything, should you not feel good just because you don’t feel good?
…to me, feeling good is a choice. wrote about it recently actually – http://www.unleashreality.com/feeling-good-is-a-choice
awesome site all- round.
keep in touch
alex – unleash reality