Depressed activity ideas

[AStruggle]

Hello.

I'm clinically depressed. My condition has a wave-like form, meaning that sometimes I feel alright, active and alive. Other times - like today - I feel down. I have zero energy, everything feels boring and uninteresting, nothing I do sticks so I'm just lying in bed, scrolling reels and youtube thumbnails. Videogames are boring, I'm eternally tired, lethargic so to speak.
I'm sure at least some of you guys feel this way too. What do you do when you don't want to do anything?

 

[Gangrel]

I can relate to you too, sometimes i feel alright, but sometimes i am simply alive and nothing else. Honestly i try to do things i "enjoy" like playing video games and reading, even if it's boring, just hoping my liking will spark back up. Also being social helps because being depressed in front of people is weird so i force myself to pretend.

 

[Grimpoteuthis]

I can relate so much to this, how everything, including hobbies I used to love, feels incredibly boring. Usually I just start doing chores like laundry, meal prepping, cleaning etc., so on days I am not only bored to death but also not physically functional, I have less necessary tasks to complete just a sustain the most basic life.

 

[future_angel]

usually when i feel that way i take a nap or watch a movie

 

[cali22♡]

I feel for you. . .


When I feel "bored" I always take a cold shower or play a game. . .

 

[Arahant]

I second cold showers, they can revive you if you dont have tolerance to them and dont chicken out too early.

Listening to guided meditation or even self hypnosis recordings from youtube can sometimes help me find comfort.
If you know how to do yoga nidra, that is also a good way to rest yourself up.

Singing, just for the sake of playing with sounds and feeling the vibrations can also sometimes shift things into a better mood.
It can be hard to start up if in the throes of deep depression, but doing it almost always feels better.
I think there is even some science behind that; it increases vagal nerve tone, vaults you out of a freeze or fight/flight state, and into a positive flock/flow/fun state. Basically it can shift gears on your nervous system so you feel human again :D


Crazy as it may sound, prolonged fasting as in +2 days can also bust a depression for many, if it's from inflammation.
If you have zero appetite and want to lie around in bed thinking of how to CTB, fasting might be what your body is asking you to do.

If you have the opportunity to hang out in direct sunlight, that can be good too for loads of reasons.

Hate to say it, but it's true that exercise of most any kind can help most kinds of depression.
Doesn't mean you have to run a marathon or rip a new personal record in the gym, walking can also help.
More effortful training seems to yield the best results, but whatever you can realistically do is good enough.
I know how hard it can be to get moving when in that state, so don't feel bad if you simply can't find it in you.

 

[AStruggle]

usually when i feel that way i take a nap or watch a movie

Yeah, taking a nap is alright. But it's not always possible for me to fall asleep during the night, let alone in the afternoon

I feel for you. . .


When I feel "bored" I always take a cold shower or play a game. . .

Videogames don't work, unfortunately... The require just enough cognitive function to process the story and the gameplay. Same with competitive multiplayer stuff - when you struggle with your energy levels it can be so frustrating to loose or play with others at all.

I second cold showers, they can revive you if you dont have tolerance to them and dont chicken out too early.

Listening to guided meditation or even self hypnosis recordings from youtube can sometimes help me find comfort.
If you know how to do yoga nidra, that is also a good way to rest yourself up.

Singing, just for the sake of playing with sounds and feeling the vibrations can also sometimes shift things into a better mood.
It can be hard to start up if in the throes of deep depression, but doing it almost always feels better.
I think there is even some science behind that; it increases vagal nerve tone, vaults you out of a freeze or fight/flight state, and into a positive flock/flow/fun state. Basically it can shift gears on your nervous system so you feel human again :D


Crazy as it may sound, prolonged fasting as in +2 days can also bust a depression for many, if it's from inflammation.
If you have zero appetite and want to lie around in bed thinking of how to CTB, fasting might be what your body is asking you to do.

If you have the opportunity to hang out in direct sunlight, that can be good too for loads of reasons.

Hate to say it, but it's true that exercise of most any kind can help most kinds of depression.
Doesn't mean you have to run a marathon or rip a new personal record in the gym, walking can also help.
More effortful training seems to yield the best results, but whatever you can realistically do is good enough.
I know how hard it can be to get moving when in that state, so don't feel bad if you simply can't find it in you.

Thank you for such a full and thorough response!

I should definitely try meditation and singing. Can you please share any good guided meditation videos on youtube?

Intentional fasting is also something I didn't consider yet. I like food, but I'm at a point in my life when I don't have access to healthy foods. Fasting might be good.

I try to exercise every day, doing full body stretching stuff. I even tried bodyweight workout, but I don't feel like wearing myself out right now. I want to get used to doing these gymnastics every day first. Forming habits is very hard for me, so I want that out of the picture first, then I could start actually strengthening my body.

Thank you again for your advice, I'll definitely look up the yoga nidra!

 

[Trying To Live]

Sports is indeed one of the best ways to temporarily feel better and fight depression.

You can start small.

I currently try to go to the gym everyday.

 

[ForgottenAgain]

The title of this post is perfect. Can relate a lot to what you wrote. I've been forcing myself to do activities, the other day went swimming, then to a new cafe/restaurant, today will be playing table tennis. Mostly feel like I'm cosplaying happiness but oh well...everything feels boring and not even new things spark that much interest. Just going because rationally I think it has the potential to be fun, which sounds as dull as it reads.

 

[emoplugg]

lay in bed and listen to new music. usually ambient adjacent stuff cus I get overwhelmed easily xP

 

[Mirrory Me]

Nowadays, there is so much digital entertainment, but it can be too passive. For example, this forum and other social media can seem addictive, but you wonder how much else you could get done while browsing it.

 

[Lost Magic]

All the advice given is solid. A handheld gaming device is nice. Quick, fun and easy to play style retro games are my go to.