I'm pulling myself out of a hole after a mental breakdown and it's really hard. I feel for you because it sometimes feels impossible to know what to do. I was suicidal for months.

I always suggest doing something creative. I'll write, or do my makeup, or doodle - just anything to remind myself that they didn't get me. I'm still here and still doing stuff they can't do.

I've also taken up meditation again, and I use grounding techniques, too. They might not necessarily make you instantly feel happy, but they will pull you out of your darkness for a few minutes.

I hope you feel better soon.

What are grounding techniques?

hi, ☺ sometimes it is just a little thing that can make a big help. listening to your favourite music or having a bubble bath, scented candles or romatherpy oils. try not over think it. when you are down our minds can feel foggy so keep it simple

I find physical activity helpful. A little exercise helps get my endorphins going and I always feel a little better.

Basically, grounding techniques are short mental exercises to help people momentarily cope with anxiety, PTSD, etc. Here are some links:

https://scottjeffrey.com/grounding-techniques/

https://www.jocelynstcyr.com/blog/grounding-techniques/

I hope this helps!!

I listen to music, watch one of my favorite movies, by myself flowers, get a pedicure. Just little things to bring my spirits up. I also got an adult coloring book which helps too. Hope these help -hugs-

I agree with Eeyore - adult coloring books are great a self-help tool for alleviating stress. I have one, too, and it got a lot of mileage last month.

I also do Adult Coloring, Mandala's and Flowers and I do Zentangling. I make candles when I want to relax, usually on a Saturday or Sunday and don't have to rush.

When I get bad things stuck in my head from the past, I use a trick that my Pdoc taught me long ago. I write a letter to that littler, younger, weaker, more scared me letter "me" know that I'm good now, I'm safe and helping others. That usually knocks the bad thoughts out of the space in my mind.

If I have a rough day at the office, on the way home I'll stop by the Animal Shelter, here in Chapel Hill we have a beautiful big Animal Shelter. I'll go in the kitten room for 15 or 30 minutes and just hold kittens and let them crawl on me and fall all over themselves.....its not possible to leave that room in a bad mood. And extra humans are always a help.

On weekends when I tend to stay away from people, (I deal with enough of them during the week) I make sure I have projects to do, so that I don't get myself in a predicament where it's too easy to stay in bed all day. I never allow myself to stay in bed all day unless I'm physically sick, as I live on the Depression side of BiPolar and giving in to the want to just stay in bed and not "be" can be a bad thing.

Another trick I can share with you is the "Filing Drawers of the Mind" You picture your mind as a bank of Filing Drawers, each one has a different thought, some bad, some good. When you picture building your files drawers, think of some really good memories, family vaca's, great times with good people, happy memories. We like the bad ones to stay shut and locked closed, but sometimes they open up. So when you have a bad one pop out, sit back, close your eyes and let your body relax. Picture that drawer in your mind opening and you putting that bad memory away and shutting it closed. Now see your hand move over to a drawer with a Good, Happy memory in it and let that come out and just relive it in your head. Feel the air, remember the smells of where you were, remember the tastes of the food, the laughs or voices of people that you were with, the beauty of the place you were in. Focus on your good, happy memory and let it keep that bad crap locked in the drawer.

Take care and hope you find some help in all these good folks suggestions.
Kat

'how do you pick yourself up when you’re down? What’s the thing that makes you happy after a horrible day? How do you stop yourself from crying and pull yourself together?'

Oddly enough, I listen to music when my mood has already improved. If I'm down I don't feel like doing some fav things like listening to music or watching a movie/ TV program.

Think of all the people who love and care about you....

I try to do things that I normally enjoy. I watch a sunrise or sunset. I talk a walk or jog the neighborhood. I color. I read and listen to music. I have to consciously get myself to think a positive thought. It has become a self discipline for me. If I am having a hard time, I think until I find something good in the day. Maybe someone said Hi to me in the store or a clerk was really helpful. My child gave me an extra long hug or there was a gentle breeze. Maybe I took a photograph that I really like. Then I focus on that. I don't allow my thoughts to go to the negative. Also, I have tried using mental pictures to change my thoughts. I write the negative in the sand in a picture of the beach in my mind. Then I allow the waves to wash the negative words out of the sand and I let it go. The more I focus on good things and I train my mind to not dwell on the negative, the better I feel. I also rely on my faith in God. He is my strength when I am weak, and He walks me through the tough times. I pray that you can find what works for you to bring you peace. Hugs!

Normally I just cry it all out, it's good to release your emotions. Then once I've done that I'll put music on, something that means a lot to me and is a hopeful type of music, it usually works about 90% of the time but then I have other times where I can't get out of that type of funk and I'll just sit and wait it out.

Thanks for all the responses folks I'll try and put them into practice I think I'm just feeling low just now as I'm in agony with my back and feeling sorry for myself. Take care everyone cheers again x