Things To Do On A Down Day

I'm doing pretty well with my depression at the moment, but sometimes I just wake up and the entire world feels grey. I can liken the 'sensation' of depression to wearing a heavy dark uncomfortable fur jacket that pulls down at your shoulders and smothers you. Of course mentally it's a whole other story, but I do feel like my body is weighted by it, too. Sometimes it makes it impossible to do things, but here is a list of twenty-something things I do on days like today when the world just seems a little darker.

one | stay off of social media. I often find comfort in talking to my online friends, but it's not always possible to avoid pop culture / political news and on my sensitive days it effects me more than usual. Twitter and Facebook are two platforms I make a note to avoid, although I still scroll through Instagram and Pinterest!

 

two | wear your softest jumper, mis-matched socks and a big scarf. I protect myself from my thoughts and the world through the medium of comfort, always.

 

three | play Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I like to water my flowers, talk to my favourite villagers (Melba and Marina) and spend a little time catching fish.

 

four | write a 'done' list. I think back over the past few days and write down everything I've achieved, even if it's something tiny like wash my hair / reply to blog comments / put a load of washing on.

 

five | drink lots of water.

six | talk to someone. I don't always tell them how I'm feeling, but I'll mention it and ask them how they are.

 

seven | scroll through my 'head up' board on Pinterest, or create your own.

 

eight | allow yourself to feel whatever you feel without judgement.

 

nine | get clean. I'll change my underwear, cleanse my face, brush my teeth and put on deodorant and perfume. On my worst days even this is difficult, but I always feel better and more 'together' once I've done it.

 

ten | get outside. Again, on my worst days, I often don't make it out of my front door. But even sitting on the doorstep or my little sister's trampoline in the back garden makes me feel better.  If you're feeling braver, try going for a walk. Take your iPod, some earphones and a camera. Take photos of anything that piques your interest.

eleven | read your own blog archive. I like to do this - particularly my lifestyle/personal posts - to remind myself of when I've been happy and to relive little moments.  

 

twelve | remind yourself that you'll be okay. Even the darkest of days lasts only 24 hours.

 

thirteen | read through your favourite blogs' archives. My personal favourites are Daisybutter and Vivatramp. 

 

fourteen | watch Tangled, or your Disney Princess movie of choice.

 

fifteen | read a book featuring a bad-ass heroine or hero to inspire you. My favourites are Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and The Infernal Devices.

sixteen | make some plans. Whether that's to go to the cinema in two weeks time, to see your best friend tomorrow or to treat yourself to your favourite chocolate bar when you next do the food shop.

 

seventeen | create yourself a positivity playlist and play it on repeat. Mine features a whole lot of All Time Low!

 

eighteen | go onto the Asda / Tesco grocery website and do a 'weekly shop' pretending just for a moment that you're living your best life with your boyfriend / best friend / alone in the flat of your dreams with your cat / dog / hamster. Alternatively, go onto IKEA and furnish your 'house'.

 

nineteen | journal, which ever way feels best to you. I personally like to fill out my habit & mood trackers and my calendar which I've drawn into my A5 notebook.

 

twenty | surround yourself with positive quotes. Find them on Google, Tumblr or Pinterest and post one on your Instagram, your Twitter, send one to your best friend, set one as your phone wallpaper. If you'd prefer something you can frame in your bedroom, check out Emily Coxhead's Etsy shop!

twenty-one | if this has been one of several bad days for you recently, consider looking into some external support. When was the last time you checked in with your GP? Does your local area have a Crisis Team?

twenty-two | have a good cry, if you can. I know it's not always possible, but that's okay too.

twenty-three | Nest or tidy. I always find sorting disorder into order is a great stress-reliever and I'm always less anxious when my space is tidy.

 

What do you do on your down days? <3

____________________________________________________________________________

If you liked this post, you may enjoy 4 Distraction Techniques For Anxiety

or 10 Self Harm Alternatives. 

Also - don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin | Pinterest | Goodreads