What hobbies have you taken up to help your mood

[Degen]

I've been trying to learn a few languages or learn about database, though it's not helping

 

[Celerity]

I experimented with gardening for a time, but I ultimately found it to require too much effort. If cooking can be considered a hobby, I would say that is one for me. I bake a lot of desserts and like trying out new recipes.

 

[Rairii]

For a while I was journaling everyday, it was extremely helpful. Depression/PTSD got really bad so I ended up neglecting it but It's something I'm trying to get back into it. Also making collages, it's just hard to find magazines sometimes and then lack of motivation.

 

[PaperGodzilla]

listening to audiobooks. I'm into gaming too but it worsen the mood in the long term, it's a good coping mechanism if u play 2 hours a day, not if you play 10 hours to escape reality lmao

 

[Wannagonow]

I read news on my phone all day and most of the night. Kinda soft news, not the heavy, drag you down kind of news. Of course I take breaks and don't stare at it constantly. I find it helps focus my racing thoughts and for a little bit it gives me a break from constantly thinking about ctb.

 

[Himalayan]

Drawing

 

[Teddybear]

I took up writing some time ago and it helps me to survive the time between breakdowns. But nothing seems to be able to stop me from crashing and when I crash I crash more badly with each passing week. It used to take years for my mood swings to get worse, then months and now its only weeks.

So here I sit and type and wait for Armageddon.

 

[MellowAvenue]

Writing and drawing can be huge helps. I have been trying to get back into writing regularly for years.

 

[Temporal_Anchorite]

Writing music and playing guitar are the biggest ones for me

 

[AnonymousS]

I found when i was much better than i am now, that photography really helped. It got me out of my flat, and you do see beauty around you. Unfortunately i sank into a very deep episode which i am still in, last year and sold all my gear and attempted suicide which failed. If you have the energy though, it's a great hobby to have. You don't need to have very expensive equipment either.

 

[enviro400mmc]

I have quite a few and they all kinda help but not really.

I've gotten completely addicted to chess recently, I can spend hours playing on chess.com particularly 1 minute games. It's an incredibly effective distraction tactic but really it's just like any other video game where I escape reality for a while and then sink back to misery when you've stopped playing.

But to be honest I find that with all hobbies. I play a lot of squash which should be productive considering it's exercise and even vaguely sociable but it doesn't give me any will to live once I've stopped playing.

 

[MentalStefan]

Programming and retro-computing! They're the only things that keep me sane. It's a very rewarding activity - when you put a lot of work into something and it works exactly how you planned then it increases your mood a lot!

 

[Silent.Tears]

Reading, I guess.

I experimented with gardening for a time, but I ultimately found it to require too much effort. If cooking can be considered a hobby, I would say that is one for me. I bake a lot of desserts and like trying out new recipes.

Bake for me

 

[Celerity]

Reading, I guess.

Bake for me

To use up some blueberries, fresh thyme, and lemon I had in my fridge, I just made this:

Blueberry Lemon Thyme Loaf Cake - Little Vintage Baking

This blueberry lemon thyme loaf cake is tender, fluffy and velvety lemon cake with hints of herby fresh thyme, filled with fresh blueberries and drizzled with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze.

thelittlevintagebakingcompany.com

I would share photos of the pound cake I made, but it has been whittled down to almost nothing already.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

Dye-ing.

I dye all my clothes.

 

[outatime_85]

What hobbies have you taken up to help your mood?

I do not know if the things below have benefited me, improved my mood, or just delayed the inevitable, but I do them.

1: Meditation (this includes standing meditation along with using Tai Chi).

2: Yoga and Stretching

3: Body-weight exercises

4: Fasting

5: Trail running, ruck walks, or hiking

6: Reading (this includes puzzle books)

7: Journal my thoughts.

 

[hungry_ghost]

Started going to the gym.

 

[Silent.Tears]

To use up some blueberries, fresh thyme, and lemon I had in my fridge, I just made this:

I would share photos of the pound cake I made, but it has been whittled down to almost nothing already.

That looks scrumptious, blueberries .
Yeah I should satisfy my cravings with these pictures only, regrettable!

 

[enviro400mmc]

I wonder if anyone on this forum has ever given meat curing a try, considering many will have the key chemical needed for it

 

[LonelyEmerald]

try finding something you can just enjoy. learning database and learning languages are not enjoyable for most people

 

[je.suis.prêt]

I've been trying to learn a few languages or learn about database, though it's not helping

In case you haven't already discovered it, there is a great resource for learning about programming/databases/technology called codecademy.com. It's really good for helping you learn in a manageable way. If you're really into tech or just want to give it a try.

 

[Pallf]

I got back into Stardew valley recently. It's incredibly soothing.

 

[Regen]

I adopted a dog:

I have to go for a walk with him three times a day. Before him I lay in my bed half the day.

= I get fitter and this is a good feeling
= I have someone beside me - my Magic animal ;-)
= I have someone to cuddle
= I take pictures of the nature what I love
= I talk to other people with dogs
= I have joy while being on the dog-place

For christmas I wish to have a guitar. My daughter is learning play the guitar and I will try it too, I never played an Instrument and I never learned notes. We will see.

 

[pipapo]

Soccer

 

[AnonymousS]

I adopted a dog:

I have to go for a walk with him three times a day. Before him I lay in my bed half the day.

= I get fitter and this is a good feeling
= I have someone beside me - my Magic animal ;-)
= I have someone to cuddle
= I take pictures of the nature what I love
= I talk to other people with dogs
= I have joy while being on the dog-place

For christmas I wish to have a guitar. My daughter is learning play the guitar and I will try it too, I never played an Instrument and I never learned notes. We will see.

Animals are wonderful, one of my favourite things on earth. I tried to learn to play the guitar, both acoustic and electric but failed. You will probably do far better than me though, it's useful as it keeps your hands busy and your mind. It takes you out of yourself in a good way if that makes sense.

 

[blur10600]

Climbing <3

 

[Someday_Somehow32]

Posting art online, I get a weird kick from getting likes and attention online lol

 

[StarlightDreamer]

I've been trying to learn Japanese for the past few months. So far, progress has been slow but steady.

As well, I've gotten big into tabletop RPGs.

 

[SectOfValtiel]

last year i started going hard on art, really made a lot of progress in just a matter of weeks and was even sharing it to insta and facebook and all that
even had an 'art friend' who inspired me to try a lot of new things
but i fell off even harder
lost that friend a long time ago, havent really drawn in months, i feel like i lost all the progress i did make
and now every time i pick up a pencil i hate myself to such a degree that trying to draw anything at all completely tanks my mood, so
i gave up on that haha

 

[deathbylife]

I have quite a few and they all kinda help but not really.

I've gotten completely addicted to chess recently, I can spend hours playing on chess.com particularly 1 minute games. It's an incredibly effective distraction tactic but really it's just like any other video game where I escape reality for a while and then sink back to misery when you've stopped playing.

But to be honest I find that with all hobbies. I play a lot of squash which should be productive considering it's exercise and even vaguely sociable but it doesn't give me any will to live once I've stopped playing.

Yes. Me too. I will be forcing myself to go outside and take short walks this winter. Because I can't find anything that interests me when I'm in the gutter, so I figure maybe some forced exercise to at least help me feel like I've accomplished something.