If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you may find it helpful to perform one or two of these activities daily. By doing these for yourself you become a good parent/partner to yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that you do feel better after accomplishing one or more of the following:
- Take a warm bath
- Have breakfast in bed
- Take a sauna
- Get a massage
- Buy yourself a flower
- Take a bubble bath
- Go to a pet store and play with the animals
- Walk on a scenic path in a park
- Visit a zoo or caves or a wildlife rescue
- Have a manicure or a pedicure
- Stop and smell some flowers
- Wake up early and watch the sunrise
- Watch the sunset
- Relax with a good book or soothing music
- Go rent a funny video (or one on Netflix or Amazon)
- Play your favorite music and dance to it by yourself (the twist is one of my favorites)
- Go to bed early
- Sleep outside under the stars.
- Take a mental health day off from work
- Fix a special dinner for yourself
- Go for a walk
- Call one or more good friends
- Go out to a fine restaurant with yourself
- Go to a beach or lake
- Take a scenic drive
- Meditate
- Buy new clothes
- Browse in a book or record store for as long as you want
- Buy yourself a cuddly stuffed animal and play with it
- Write yourself a love letter and mail it
- Ask a special person for some “me” time
- Buy yourself something special that you can afford
- Go see a good movie (not a depressing one)
- Go to a park and play on some of the equipment
- Visit a museum or other interesting place
- Work on your favorite puzzle or puzzlebook
- Go to a hot tub or jacuzzi
- Record an affirmation CD or on your phone ( you can find suggestions online)
- Write down a realistic goal and visualize it
- Read an inspirational book
- Write a letter to an old friend
- Bake or cook something special
- Go window shopping
- Buy a meditation tape
- Listen to a positive motivational tape
- Write down your accomplishments in a special diary
- Apply fragrant lotion to your body
- Masturbate
- Exercise
- Sit and hold your favorite stuffed animal (Bourne, 2005)
These are 51 activities designed to help you feel better if you are experiencing anxiety or depression or low self esteem. Try one or two activities a day and keep a diary of how they make you feel. Perhaps you could record a number from 1 being” this did not help at all” to 10 being “this made a huge difference in how I feel.” Then you could collate a list of things that work for you. If you think I can help, please do not hesitate to call me at 361-442-9590 or email at holtadams2002@yahoo.com