the beach always does it for me. looking out on any calm water.
nature, sun

I second that, Kath08!

Monty Python's "Alway look on the bright side of life" is my secret weapon when it comes to feeling really down (call me weird, I don't care). Listening to Beethoven's Piano Sonatas gives me back a bit of emotional stability (Especially Piano Sonata No. 14, 1st Movement) too.

Smoking Cigars or Shisha also makes me always feel good again, as does poetry and writing.

fishing does it for me. It does not matter if I catch anyhthing or not, just being on the water makes me feel relaxed and at peace.

hugs
Mike

Nature: the woods, the desert, the mountains, the shore. I prefer the beach with good-sized waves. They are hypnotic, relaxing and invigorating at the same time.

This time of year I don't get down to the beach, I hike inland, along snowy trails. "Whose woods these are..." indeed. I like to bring a little digital camera with me.

Nature never fails me. It is always changing, never boring. The beauty is soothing. The sense of deep time and seeing the struggles, successes and failures of other living organisms gives me perspective. That is to say, it helps me get over myself and my issues.

Monty Python ain't too bad either.

Music and nature. Listening to uplifting and positive song lyrics can help turn my mood around sometime. Also, taking a solo hike somewhere usually helps too. Like what was said above, nature has a calming affect.

Hiking has always been my greatest source of peace.
Kayaking, my dogs love it even though they are Shelties.
Crocheting or sewing whle listening to a Book on tape.
Found something new a couple months ago. Skydiving! I'm terrified of heights, but felt if I could tackle this fear maybe I could tackle others. I was on a natural High for days, just couldn't stop Smiling.

kids ,beach ,mountians,

Going for walks, coffee, music is a big one for me and singing.

DANCE! music changes mood and alters perceptions. the physical exercise of dance elevates endorphins and other happy chemicals. plus, the dance community is one that is happy, full of joy and connected to the moment -- all things we PTSDers need in order to heal!

Meditate 3 hours a day. Helps soothe the symptoms of PTSD. I visualize the horrors of PTSD while mediatating and disarm them. If you can work with the terror then you can take the emotion away from thoughts. A thought about an elephant is real as a thought about our trauma, rape, abuse etc. You realize this after you mediatate after a while. You see that all of us are the same and there is a place inside of us that is perfect and whole.

It takes time but works.

I like drawing, playing the piano, reading, writing, going for walks

Cooking things for other people is very good. Gardening is a nice way to spend a weekend and painting pictures is also a way to go to la la land. The problem is I still have to get to sleep and none of these things come to bed with me.

MY wife is there though and she helps.